Coups de Foudre Festival

Chamber music in the land of champagne

The Coups de Foudre Festival was born from the vision of Fanny Robilliard, who wanted to create an exceptional musical event in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, the birthplace of champagne. Every year in October, at the end of the grape harvest, the festival invites young internationally renowned musicians to perform in places steeped in history and meaning. The very name of the festival evokes the encounter between the "foudre champenoise" — these large wooden barrels used in champagne production — and the artistic "coup de foudre" (love at first sight) between musicians, artisans, and the public.

Exceptional venues for unique concerts

The festival takes place in several emblematic sites in the region. The Saint-Sindulphe church in Hautvillers, which houses the tombstone of Dom Pérignon, hosts the opening and closing concerts in an incomparable historical setting. Pressoria, a sensory museum dedicated to champagne located in Aÿ-Champagne, offers a contemporary backdrop for the flagship concert "Coups de Foudre". The festival also extends to Fontaine-sur-Aÿ and other locations in the valley, creating a unique musical and heritage trail.

Encounters between musicians, luthiers, and winegrowers

Beyond the concerts, the Coups de Foudre Festival cultivates the art of meeting and sharing. The program includes public rehearsals, round tables, live workshops, and champagne tastings. Luthiers are present throughout the festival, particularly in the small chapel of Hautvillers where they build a violin before the public's eyes. Masterclasses and string courses open to young musicians complete this program, which bridges musical excellence and artisanal know-how.

A growing festival

Since its creation, the Coups de Foudre Festival has established itself as a benchmark musical event in Champagne. The Aréthuse association, which supports the project, develops the thematic programming imagined by Fanny Robilliard each year. The festival contributes to the cultural influence of the Grande Vallée de la Marne and the enhancement of its living heritage, between vineyards and chamber music.