BWd12 Festival
Chamber music festival in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
About BWd12
Created in 2005 on the initiative of Aimé Berthon, a resident of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, and Samuel Etienne, cellist and artistic director, the BWd12 Festival is a must-attend event for chamber music in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its name is a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach: B for Bach, W for Werke ("works" in German), and d12 for the 12 musicians who originally founded the festival. Every year, at the end of August, for four days, musicians from major national orchestras and confirmed soloists gather at the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, in the majestic setting of the Loire gorges, to offer four concerts mixing emblematic repertoire works and bold discoveries. From duos to sextets, the programming explores the full richness of chamber music. The artists arrive for a residency a week before the concerts to work and exchange together, in a family and friendly spirit. Each work is presented to the public before being performed, and the concerts are followed by a buffet offered to the audience to chat with the musicians and volunteers. Supported by about thirty volunteers and chaired by Richard Verney-Carron, the festival has presented over 100 concerts and some 600 works since its creation, attracting around 1,400 spectators per edition in the castle's open-air amphitheater, which has a capacity of 350 seats.
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BWd12: Chamber Music in the Heart of the Loire Gorges
Since 2005, the BWd12 Festival has established itself as a major chamber music event, combining artistic excellence, conviviality, and openness to all audiences. Nestled in the exceptional setting of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, on the banks of the Loire gorges, the festival derives its name from a triple tribute: B for Bach, W for Werke ("works" in German), and d12 for the twelve founding musicians.
A Musical and Human Adventure
The festival was created on the initiative of Aimé Berthon, a resident of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, and Samuel Etienne, a cellist and artistic director. Their ambition: to democratize chamber music by making it accessible in an exceptional heritage site. Each year, about fifteen artists—musicians from major national orchestras and renowned soloists—gather for a week-long residency at the château to work together before sharing the fruits of these exchanges with the public.
The Château Amphitheater: An Acoustic Gem
The concerts take place in the open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, an outdoor theater with exceptional acoustics. The site offers a breathtaking view of the Loire gorges and Lake Grangent, in a remarkable natural and heritage environment. The capacity of 350 seats ensures a rare proximity between musicians and the audience.
From Duos to Sextets: A Demanding Program
The festival's programming explores all chamber music formations, from duos to sextets. Each edition features four evening concerts (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 5 PM), complemented by free events on Saturday and Sunday mornings: discovery workshops, public rehearsals, or participatory concerts. The repertoire mixes the great masters—Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, Fauré, Rachmaninoff—and contemporary discoveries, from Karol Beffa to Olivier Messiaen.
Conviviality and Sharing
The spirit of the festival is based on exchange and conviviality. Each work is presented to the public before being performed, and the concerts are followed by a complimentary buffet allowing the audience to interact with the musicians and volunteers. Chaired by Richard Verney-Carron, the BWd12 association brings together around 35 volunteers who work year-round to organize the festival.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
The BWd12 Festival is supported by the City of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne Métropole, the Department of the Loire, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. It is a member of local cultural networks and contributes to the influence of the Loire gorges heritage. Since its creation, the festival has presented over 100 concerts and some 600 works, welcoming a total of approximately 20,000 spectators.
BWd12 — edition 2026
The 21st edition of the BWd12 Festival will take place from August 27 to 30, 2026, at the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. Following the resounding success of the 20th anniversary edition, the festival will continue its mission of democratizing chamber music in the open-air amphitheater of the château, in the heart of the Loire gorges. True to its proven formula, the program will offer four evening concerts from duos to sextets, complemented by free events on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
21st Edition — Summer 2026
The BWd12 Festival returns for its 21st edition from August 27 to 30, 2026, in the open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. After the exceptional success of the 20th anniversary edition—where all evening concerts were sold out—the festival continues its musical and human adventure in the heart of the Loire gorges.
Under the artistic direction of Samuel Etienne, cellist and co-founder of the festival, the program will once again bring together musicians from major national orchestras and renowned soloists, who will be in residence at the château for a week before the concerts. From duos to sextets, the repertoire will mix emblematic works by the great masters with contemporary discoveries.
The four evening concerts (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 5 PM) will be complemented by free events on Saturday and Sunday mornings: instrument discovery workshop, public rehearsal, or participatory concert. Each work will be presented to the public before being performed, and the concerts will conclude with the traditional convivial buffet offered to the audience.
The full program and ticketing information will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme BWd12 2026
2026 Program
The official program for the 21st edition will be unveiled in the spring of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Thursday evening at 8 PM: opening concert
- Friday evening at 8 PM: concert
- Saturday morning at 11 AM: free event (discovery workshop or participatory concert, registration required)
- Saturday evening at 8 PM: concert
- Sunday morning at 11 AM: free public rehearsal (registration required)
- Sunday at 5 PM: closing concert
Venue
- Open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Highlights BWd12 2026
To Remember for 2026
- 21st Edition of the BWd12 Festival
- August 27-30, 2026, at the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
- Chamber music from duos to sextets
- Artistic direction: Samuel Etienne
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
- Ticketing at www.bwd12.fr/billetterie
Prices BWd12 2026
Practical information — BWd12
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Saint-Victor-sur-Loire is accessible from Saint-Étienne (approx. 15 min) via the D108. The village is located on the banks of Lake Grangent, in the Loire gorges. A shuttle service is provided between distant parking lots and the château during the festival.
By public transport: From Saint-Étienne, the STAS bus line serves Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. The nearest SNCF train station is Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux.
Concert Venue
Concerts take place in the open-air amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, Allée des remparts, 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire (delegated commune of Saint-Étienne). In case of bad weather, a backup venue is planned in the village church.
Ticketing and Prices
Early bird prices (until August 15):
- Individual concert: €17
- 4-concert pass: €50
On-site prices:
- Individual concert: €22
- 4-concert pass: €55
Reduced price: €5 (under 12s, M'Ra card, RSA beneficiaries)
Free events: Discovery workshops and public rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday mornings (online registration required).
Online booking: www.bwd12.fr/billetterie
Concert Times
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings: 8 PM
- Saturday morning: 11 AM (free event)
- Sunday morning: 11 AM (free public rehearsal)
- Sunday afternoon: 5 PM
Contact
Association BWd12
750, route de Boulain — 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Phone: 04 77 90 47 40
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bwd12.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach BWd12 at the best price.
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Where does it take place — BWd12
Amphithéâtre du château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Allée des remparts, 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire