Dans les Jardins de William Christie Festival
Baroque music in the gardens of a master
About Jardins de William Christie
A Unique Baroque Festival
The Dans les Jardins de William Christie festival was born in 2012 from a meeting between musical passion and garden art. Created by the renowned harpsichordist and conductor William Christie, founder of the ensemble Les Arts Florissants, this festival each summer takes over the remarkable gardens he has shaped since 1985 around a 17th-century manor house in Thiré, in the heart of Vendée.
The Jardins du Bâtiment: An Exceptional Setting
Classified as Historic Monuments since 2006 and labeled Jardin remarquable (Remarkable Garden) since 2004, the Jardins du Bâtiment cover 12 hectares of extraordinary landscape diversity. Inspired by French and Italian gardening traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries, they feature a succession of courtyards, ponds, terraces, cloisters, pine groves, yew topiary theaters, an orchard, a vegetable garden, and meadows. William Christie describes them as "an artist's garden, whimsical, full of poetic license.".
A Demanding Yet Accessible Baroque Program
Under the artistic direction of William Christie and Paul Agnew, the festival offers over 120 events in one week: evening concerts in the church of Thiré, musical walks through the gardens, family workshops, candlelit meditations, and opera performances. The program highlights French and European baroque repertoire with works by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Henry Purcell, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and Claudio Monteverdi.
A Launchpad for Young Artists
Each year, the festival hosts the laureates of Le Jardin des Voix, the international academy for young singers from Les Arts Florissants, as well as students from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. This educational mission offers the public the privilege of discovering emerging talents on the global baroque scene in an atmosphere of intimacy and wonder.
An Event Rooted in its Territory
Co-produced by Les Arts Florissants and the Department of Vendée, the festival attracts over 10,000 visitors each year and contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of southern Vendée. In 2017, William Christie donated his property to the Fondation Les Arts Florissants, thus perpetuating this unique place where music, heritage, and nature harmoniously combine.
Jardins de William Christie — edition 2026
2026 Edition — 15th edition
For its 15th edition, the Dans les Jardins de William Christie festival returns from August 22 to 29, 2026, in the remarkable gardens of Thiré, Vendée. Under the artistic direction of William Christie and Paul Agnew, the program combines evening concerts, afternoon musical walks, and celebrations of major figures in the baroque repertoire, notably Jean-Philippe Rameau and Michel-Richard de Lalande (tricentenary of his death).
Each day offers «Les après-midi au jardin» (Afternoons in the Garden) starting at 2:15 PM (musical walks and garden discoveries) and an evening concert. The festival also welcomes young artists from the Juilliard School and the Jardin des Voix academy.
Programme Jardins de William Christie 2026
Evening Concerts
- Sat 22 & Sun 23 August — 8:00 PM — «Rameau, Airs et scènes» (1h45)
- Sun 23 & Tue 25 August — 8:30 PM — «Michel-Richard de Lalande et les demoiselles Lalande» (1h00)
- Wed 26 August — 8:30 PM — «L'harmonie des nations», by students of the Juilliard School (1h00)
- Thu 27 & Fri 28 August — 8:30 PM — «Le Violon de Rameau» (1h00)
- Fri 28 & Sat 29 August — 8:00 PM — «Songs & catches – Purcell at the pub» (2h00)
Afternoons in the Garden
Musical walks and garden discoveries, every day from 2:15 PM (except August 24).
Highlights Jardins de William Christie 2026
- 15th edition of the Arts Florissants baroque festival
- Artistic direction William Christie & Paul Agnew
- Tribute to Rameau and Michel-Richard de Lalande (tricentenary)
- Young talents from the Juilliard School and the Jardin des Voix
- Evening concerts and musical walks in the remarkable gardens of Thiré
Prices Jardins de William Christie 2026
Practical information — Jardins de William Christie
Practical Information
Access
Address: Les Jardins du Bâtiment, 32 rue du Bâtiment, 85210 Thiré.
Main Entrance: Camping de La Châtaigneraie, La Châtaigneraie, 85210 Thiré.
PMR Access: Dedicated entrance at 32 rue du Bâtiment, 85210 Thiré.
By car: Thiré is located about 30 minutes from Fontenay-le-Comte and 45 minutes from La Roche-sur-Yon. Free parking is signposted.
Ticketing
Prices: €10 to €28 (full price) / €6 to €16 (reduced price for under 26s, job seekers, people with disabilities, Pass Vendée holders upon presentation of proof).
Online booking at evenements.vendee.fr or by phone at 02 28 85 85 70 (Monday-Friday, 10 am-12:30 pm and 1:30 pm-5:30 pm).
Contact: [email protected].
On-site
Numbered seats for concerts in the church. Musical walks in the gardens in the afternoon. Light refreshments and drinks available.
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Where does it take place — Jardins de William Christie
Les Jardins du Bâtiment - Jardins de William Christie
32 rue du Bâtiment, 85210 Thiré