Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin
Concerts of classical and sacred music in the abbey church of Bec-Hellouin
About Concerts de l'Abbaye
The Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin: sacred music in a millennial setting
The Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin are an exceptional musical event in the heart of Normandy. Organized in the abbey church of the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Bec, these concerts offer a unique artistic and spiritual experience, where sacred music resonates under the vaults of a monument founded around 1034 by the knight Herluin.
The Ensemble Zoroastre: musical excellence and sacred repertoire
The Ensemble Zoroastre, under the direction of Savitri de Rochefort, is the privileged performer of these concerts. This vocal and instrumental ensemble is primarily dedicated to sacred works from the 18th century and the first half of the 19th. Its repertoire includes masterpieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Great Mass in C minor K. 427, Symphony No. 25 K. 183), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Magnificat Wq215), Georg Friedrich Handel, and other great composers of the Baroque and Classical periods.
An exceptional acoustic and architectural setting
The abbey church of Bec-Hellouin offers remarkable natural acoustics, enhancing vocal and instrumental performances. The Abbey of Notre-Dame du Bec, a major intellectual center of the Middle Ages which produced two Archbishops of Canterbury — Lanfranc and Saint Anselm — is a place steeped in history and spirituality. The concerts take place under the vaults of the abbey church, in an atmosphere of contemplation and beauty conducive to listening to sacred music.
Concerts during major liturgical holidays
The concerts are often scheduled during major liturgical holidays, particularly on Ascension Day, adding a spiritual dimension to the musical event. The Ensemble Vocal de Paris sometimes joins the Ensemble Zoroastre for these occasions, bringing together soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone), choir, and orchestra in faithful and vibrant interpretations of the sacred repertoire.
Le Bec-Hellouin: a village with exceptional heritage
The village of Le Bec-Hellouin, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, offers an enchanting setting for these concerts. Between the half-timbered houses, the millennial abbey, and the surrounding Norman countryside, music lovers can enjoy a complete cultural and heritage getaway. Reservations are mandatory at the Bec-Hellouin tourist office due to the limited capacity of the abbey church.
Concerts de l'Abbaye — edition 2026
The 2026 Ascension concert by Ensemble Zoroastre was held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 8:30 PM in the abbey church of Notre-Dame du Bec Abbey, in Bec-Hellouin. Under the direction of Savitri de Rochefort, the ensemble performed a program of sacred music centered around Haydn, Vivaldi, and Mozart, faithful to the tradition established at the abbey since 2014.
2026 Ascension Concert — Friday, May 15 at 8:30 PM
The 2026 edition of the Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin took place on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 8:30 PM, in the usual setting of the abbey church of Notre-Dame du Bec Abbey. As every year on Ascension Day since 2014, Ensemble Zoroastre, under the artistic direction of Savitri de Rochefort, offered a program of 18th-century sacred music under the millennial vaults.
Program performed
- Joseph Haydn — Missa brevis in F major, Hob. XXII:1
- Antonio Vivaldi — Concerto for two cellos in G minor, RV 531
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Mass of the Holy Trinity in C major, KV 167
An annual event rooted in Norman heritage
Ensemble Zoroastre, supported by the association Ensemble Vocal de Paris (1901 law, founded in 2012), performs annually on Ascension Day in the abbey church of Le Bec. This event, which has become almost a ritual, brings together soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone), choir, and orchestra in interpretations dedicated to the sacred repertoire of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Booking and ticketing
Tickets were available online via Weezevent (official link) and by phone at 06 16 49 99 89. Three price categories were offered: Category 1 at 35 €, Category 2 at 25 €, reduced rate at 15 € (young people 12-17 years old, students, large families, PRM, job seekers), free for children under 12.
Programme Concerts de l'Abbaye 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026 — 8:30 PM, Bec-Hellouin abbey church
2026 Ascension Concert by Ensemble Zoroastre, artistic direction Savitri de Rochefort.
- Joseph Haydn — Missa brevis in F major, Hob. XXII:1
- Antonio Vivaldi — Concerto for two cellos in G minor, RV 531
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Mass of the Holy Trinity in C major, KV 167
Ensemble gathered for the occasion: soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone), choir and orchestra of Ensemble Zoroastre.
Highlights Concerts de l'Abbaye 2026
- Annual Ascension concert in the Bec-Hellouin abbey church
- Haydn / Vivaldi / Mozart program dedicated to 18th-century sacred repertoire
- Ensemble Zoroastre under the artistic direction of Savitri de Rochefort
- Soloists, choir, and orchestra gathered under the vaults of Notre-Dame du Bec Abbey
Prices Concerts de l'Abbaye 2026
Practical information — Concerts de l'Abbaye
Practical information
Location
Abbey Church of Notre-Dame du Bec, Le Bec-Hellouin (27800).
Access
Le Bec-Hellouin is located 45 km from Rouen and 8 km from Brionne. Free parking at the entrance of the village.
Reservations
Mandatory reservations at the Bec-Hellouin tourist office due to the limited capacity of the abbey church.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concert. Inquire with the organizer.
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Where does it take place — Concerts de l'Abbaye
Abbatiale de l'Abbaye Notre-Dame du Bec
Abbaye Notre-Dame du Bec, 27800 Le Bec-Hellouin