Festival Berlioz
The major event for symphonic music in Isère
About Berlioz
The Festival Berlioz: a living tribute to romantic genius
Since 1994, the Festival Berlioz has celebrated the musical heritage of Hector Berlioz in his birthplace of La Côte-Saint-André, in the heart of Isère. Founded in 1979 in Lyon on the initiative of conductor Serge Baudo, then musical director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, the festival settled permanently in the Dauphiné town in 1994, under the presidency of senator Jean Boyer. It is now one of the essential events for classical and symphonic music in France, recognized for its national and international reach.
A history shaped by great artistic directors
Three artistic directors have shaped the festival's identity. Alain Picard (1994-1996) laid its foundations. Bernard Merlino (1997-2008) orchestrated the celebrations for the bicentenary of Berlioz's birth in 2003 and made the Château Louis XI the iconic venue for major symphonic concerts. Since 2009, Bruno Messina, a passionate musicologist, has brought an audacious vision to the festival by creating bridges between scholarly music and popular music from around the world, while making classical music accessible to the greatest number.
The Hector Berlioz European Youth Orchestra – Isère
Created in 2010 by Bruno Messina, the Hector Berlioz European Youth Orchestra – Isère is the festival's academy orchestra. Each year, it offers young professional musicians in the early stages of their careers a unique symphonic orchestra experience, contributing to the renewal of generations of performers and the dissemination of Berlioz's work.
Exceptional venues in the heart of Isère's heritage
The festival takes place in remarkable heritage sites in Isère. The courtyard of Château Louis XI, a medieval castle from the 13th century, is the main setting for major symphonic concerts with a capacity of 1,400 seats. The church of La Côte-Saint-André hosts recitals and chamber music, while the Halle médiévale is the venue for free concerts "Under Hector's Balcony". The festival also extends to abbeys, castles, and churches in the Isère region, notably the abbey of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
A program balancing tradition and boldness
Each edition of the Festival Berlioz offers around forty events, a large portion of which are free. The program features major works from the romantic repertoire—Symphonie fantastique, Requiem, Roméo et Juliette, Les Troyens—alongside contemporary creations, encounters between scholarly and popular music, musicological conferences, exhibitions, and popular festive moments. The greatest international orchestras and soloists perform each year alongside young talents.
A committed and accessible festival
With nearly 28,000 spectators in 2025, more than half of whom attended free events, the Festival Berlioz affirms its commitment to cultural democratization. The free "Under Hector's Balcony" concerts, aperitif concerts, the "Taverne d'Hector" after the shows, and the grand popular festival are all convivial gatherings that make the festival a unifying event for the entire region.
Berlioz — edition 2026
The 33rd edition of the Berlioz Festival will take place from August 19 to 30, 2026, in La Côte-Saint-André, Hector Berlioz's birthplace, and in the heritage sites of Isère. Dedicated to dance ("Let's dance now!"), this edition also pays tribute to George Sand, a contemporary of Berlioz, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of her passing. On the program: grand symphonic concerts, chamber music, performances, and numerous free events.
33rd edition — August 19 to 30, 2026
The Berlioz Festival returns for its 33rd edition from August 19 to 30, 2026, in La Côte-Saint-André and in about fifteen heritage sites in Isère (churches, medieval Halle, courtyard of Château Louis XI, Couvent des Carmes, Musée Hector-Berlioz…). Directed by Bruno Messina, the festival celebrates the work of Hector Berlioz and grand symphonic music.
The 2026 edition is themed around dance — "Berlioz danced, even before he knew how to write music" — and explores the place of dance in 19th-century music, Berlioz's connections with Russia and the guitar, as well as a tribute to George Sand on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of her death.
Numerous free events will once again enliven the festival: the grand popular opening celebration, the "Sous la Halle" concerts, La Taverne (traditional music late in the evening), and an international symposium dedicated to dance in Berlioz's era.
Programme Berlioz 2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Grand popular opening celebration · Couvent des Carmes (free admission)
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Trio George Sand · chamber music
- 9:00 PM — Madame Pylinska and the Secret of Chopin, performance based on Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Friday, August 21, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Trio George Sand · chamber music
- 9:00 PM — Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, with dance · Compagnie Otra Danza and Orchestre d'Alicante, conducted by Josep Vicent
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker · Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, conducted by Jérémie Rhorer
Monday, August 25, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust · Appassionato orchestra, conducted by Mathieu Herzog
Thursday, August 27 & Friday, August 28, 2026
- 10:00 AM — International symposium: dance in Berlioz's era
Friday, August 28, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Trio George Sand · chamber music
Saturday, August 29, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Fantastic Melodies: French melody and Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique · Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Sunday, August 30, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Invitation to Dance, closing concert
Throughout the festival: Carl Orff's Carmina Burana (Orchestre et Chœur de Riga, conducted by Daniel Kawka), "Sous la Halle" concerts in the evening, and "La Taverne" (traditional music, 11:00 PM). Full program on the official website.
Highlights Berlioz 2026
- 33rd edition on the theme of dance, tribute to George Sand (150 years)
- Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France · Symphonie fantastique
- The Damnation of Faust by the Appassionato orchestra (Mathieu Herzog)
- Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet danced (Compagnie Otra Danza / Orchestre d'Alicante)
- Numerous free events: opening celebration, "Sous la Halle" concerts, La Taverne
Prices Berlioz 2026
Practical information — Berlioz
Practical Information
Access by car
La Côte-Saint-André is easily accessible by motorway:
- From Grenoble: A48 exit 9, then D119 and D71 (approx. 45 minutes)
- From Lyon: A43 then A48 exit 9, then D119 and D71 (approx. 1 hour)
- From Geneva: A1a, A41, A43 then A48 exit 9
- From Valence: A7 exit 12, then D519 and D73
- From Chambéry: A43 then A48 exit 9
Attention: parking is not allowed at Château Louis XI. Signposted parking lots are available, and a free shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 7 PM, with the last return after the concerts end.
Access by public transport
Several SNCF train stations serve the surrounding area:
- Grand-Lemps: 15 minutes away
- Bourgoin-Jallieu: 30 minutes away
- Grenoble: 38 minutes away
- Lyon Part-Dieu: 50-60 minutes away
Bus Car Région Isère: lines T51, X08, T35, T55. Carpooling encouraged via itinisere.fr.
Nearby airports
- Grenoble-Isère: 10 minutes away
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry: 50 minutes away
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concert series:
- Series 1: €65 (reduced rate: €50, youth rate: €20)
- Series 2: €50 (reduced rate: €35, youth rate: €20)
- Series 3: €35 (youth rate: €20)
- Grand popular festival: €10 flat rate, free for children under 12
- Young people aged 12 to 30: €20 per concert with the European Youth Card
- Under 15s: you pay your age!
Many concerts and events are offered free of charge.
Ticketing
Festival Berlioz Ticketing: 38, place de la Halle, 38260 La Côte-Saint-André. Tel: 04 74 20 20 79. Online ticketing on the official festival website.
Catering and conviviality
Les Terrasses du Château Louis XI open from 7 PM with catering and drinks. La Taverne d'Hector offers local products and drinks after the concerts. The Terres de Berlioz Tourist Office (tel: 04 74 20 61 43) provides information on accommodation, gîtes, and B&Bs in the region.
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Where does it take place — Berlioz
Château Louis XI
38 place de la Halle, 38260 La Côte-Saint-André, 38260 La Côte-Saint-André