Festival d'Ambronay

The Ambronay Festival: over forty years of baroque excellence

Since 1980, the Ambronay Festival has established itself as one of the major baroque music events in Europe. Founded by Alain Brunet, who directed it for thirty-four years, this festival was born from a simple yet visionary ambition: to make Ambronay Abbey a meeting place between heritage and early music, in a rural area of the Ain department.

The first edition featured three concerts with Guy Touvron's brass quintet, the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra, and baritone Udo Reinemann. Since then, the festival has continued to grow, annually hosting the biggest names in international baroque music: Philippe Jaroussky, Jordi Savall, William Christie, Leonardo García Alarcón, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Christophe Rousset, and many others.

Ambronay Abbey: a unique heritage setting

Ambronay Abbey, founded in the 9th century and classified as a historical monument, offers an exceptional architectural and acoustic setting for early music concerts. The Gothic abbey church, the cloister, and the conventual buildings form a remarkable ensemble that enhances musical performances. The Ambronay Cultural Meeting Centre, located within the abbey, is the beating heart of the festival and works throughout the year to support young artists through the S-EEEMERGING and Ambronay Jeunes Talents programs.

A commitment to discovery and transmission

Beyond the major concerts, the Ambronay Festival stands out for its commitment to discovering new talents and musical transmission. Artistic residency programs allow young ensembles to perform under professional conditions, benefiting from the festival's international reach. Workshops, conferences, and guided tours of the abbey complete the program, making the festival an event accessible to all audiences.

A program between tradition and modernity

The festival's program subtly combines the great works of the baroque repertoire — Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Rameau, Scarlatti — with more audacious proposals blending early music and contemporary creation. Concerts are spread over three to four weekends, with varied formats: grand concerts in the abbey church, intimate recitals in the cloister, family shows, and school performances.

The festival welcomes approximately 18,000 spectators each year and offers about thirty concerts, confirming its status as an essential reference for baroque music lovers in France and Europe.

A festival rooted in its territory

Located in a rural area, between Lyon and Geneva, the Ambronay Festival plays an essential role in the cultural and tourist dynamism of Bugey and the Ain plain. It brings together a network of committed volunteers and benefits from the support of local authorities, the Department of Ain, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and the Ministry of Culture.