Festival À la Folie!
Musical eclecticism at the Royal Monastery of Brou
About À la Folie
Every Saturday evening in summer, the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse opens its second cloister for the À la Folie festival. Created in 2010, this event offers an eclectic program blending jazz, French chanson, world music, soul and contemporary music in an exceptional Flamboyant Gothic setting. The meditation cloister, enhanced by multicolored lights projected onto the arcades, offers an intimate and enchanting atmosphere. Organized by the Centre des monuments nationaux, the festival welcomes emerging artists and established names from the French and international scene.
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Book your train or bus to reach À la Folie at the best price.
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The À la Folie festival: when music takes over the Royal Monastery of Brou
Since 2010, the À la Folie festival (originally named "À la folie... pas du tout!") transforms every Saturday evening in summer into an open-air concert venue at the Royal Monastery of Brou. Nestled within the second cloister, known as the meditation cloister, this musical event offers an extraordinary setting: the Flamboyant Gothic arcades of the monastery, a masterpiece from the early 16th century built by Margaret of Austria, serve as a backdrop for evenings of eclecticism and conviviality.
Rich and eclectic programming
The festival stands out through its musical diversity. From jazz to French chanson, world music, soul, blues, classical music and contemporary genres, each Saturday evening offers a different musical color. Over the years, the festival has welcomed renowned artists such as Manu Katché, Jeanne Cherhal, Oldelaf, Nach and Hussam Aliwat, alongside emerging talents.
An exceptional heritage setting
The Royal Monastery of Brou, a classified Flamboyant Gothic historic monument, provides a unique setting. Concerts take place in the second cloister, whose arcaded galleries create remarkable acoustics and an intimate atmosphere. At nightfall, multicolored lights are projected onto the vaults and stone columns, creating a warm and enchanting ambiance.
The site, managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux, is one of the most visited monuments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Practical details and atmosphere
Doors open at 8 PM and concerts begin at 8:30 PM for approximately 1h30. A refreshment stand is set up each evening. The festival takes place rain or shine: no cancellations or postponements, as the cloister architecture provides natural shelter. The accessible price of 11 euros (free for under 26s) and the option to combine the ticket with a monument visit make it an event open to all.
À la Folie — edition 2026
The 17th edition will run from July 18 to August 29, 2026 at the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse. Every Saturday evening, the second cloister will host eclectic concerts blending jazz, French chanson, world music, soul and contemporary genres. Full program to be announced in spring 2026.
17th edition – Summer 2026
The À la Folie festival returns for its 17th edition from July 18 to August 29, 2026. Each Saturday evening will feature a concert in the enchanting second cloister.
The 2026 program will once again blend emerging artists and established names. Jazz, French chanson, world music, soul and contemporary genres will alternate throughout the summer.
Box office opens mid-May 2026. Prices remain accessible: 11€ per concert, free for under 26s.
Programme À la Folie 2026
2026 program
Full program announced spring 2026. As every year:
- 7 concerts on Saturdays from July 18 to August 29
- Eclectic lineup: jazz, chanson, world music, soul, contemporary
- Doors at 8 PM, concerts at 8:30 PM
Box office opens May 14, 2026 at 2 PM.
Highlights À la Folie 2026
Key info for 2026
- Dates: Saturday July 18 to Saturday August 29, 2026
- 17th edition
- 7 concerts on Saturday evenings in the second cloister
- 11€ / free for under 26s
- Box office: May 14, 2026 at 2 PM
- Program coming spring 2026
Prices À la Folie 2026
Practical information — À la Folie
Practical information
Getting there
By car: Bourg-en-Bresse is accessible via the A40 (from Lyon, ~1h) or the A39 (from Dijon). The monastery is at 63 boulevard de Brou, east of the center. Free parking nearby.
By train: Bourg-en-Bresse station with TGV and TER from Lyon (35 min), Paris (2h) and Geneva (1h30). The monastery is a 20-minute walk or reachable by city bus.
By bus: Rubis network, nearest stop "Monastère de Brou".
Schedule
Doors at 8 PM. Concerts at 8:30 PM. Duration: ~1h30. Every Saturday evening from mid-July to late August.
Prices
Single price: 11€ per concert. Free for under 26s. Combined ticket (concert + monument visit) available.
Tickets
Online at monastere-de-brou.fr and Centre des monuments nationaux. Box office opens mid-May.
Refreshments
A refreshment stand is set up each concert evening in the cloister.
Weather
The festival takes place rain or shine. No cancellations. The cloister provides partial shelter.
Accessibility
Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Contact: 04 74 22 83 83.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach À la Folie at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — À la Folie
Monastère royal de Brou - Deuxième cloître
63 boulevard de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse