Festival de Boucard - Music and Heritage in Haut-Berry
Classical and jazz concerts in the churches and castles of Haut-Berry
About Festival de Boucard
One of the oldest festivals in France
Created in 1966, the Festival de Boucard is one of the oldest music festivals in France. For nearly 60 years, it has presented over 300 concerts in Haut-Berry and Sancerrois. The festival takes its name from the hamlet of Boucard, located in the commune of Le Noyer, where a Romanesque church regularly hosts concerts.
Music and heritage: a unique marriage
The signature of the Festival de Boucard lies in the alliance between quality music and exceptional architectural heritage. Concerts take place in historic locations: Romanesque churches, castles, abbeys, and manor houses in Haut-Berry and Pays-Fort Sancerrois. This approach highlights the often-overlooked rural heritage while offering artists and audiences unique acoustics and atmosphere.
An eclectic and demanding program
The festival offers a varied program, ranging from baroque music to jazz, including classical music and contemporary music. The festival favors the discovery of young talents and new creations, while also welcoming established artists and renowned ensembles. Concerts are held in an intimate setting, fostering proximity between artists and the audience.
An extended musical territory
The Festival de Boucard extends across a vast territory, from Aubigny-sur-Nère to Sancerre, including Le Noyer, Henrichemont, Vailly-sur-Sauldre, and many villages in Haut-Berry. This itinerant approach helps to bring rural areas to life and reach a diverse audience, while revealing often hidden heritage sites.
A strong associative commitment
The festival is organized by an association of passionate volunteers who work year-round to offer a high-quality artistic season. The commitment of the territory, the municipalities, the owners of heritage sites, and the loyal audience has allowed the festival to endure for nearly 60 years.
Festival de Boucard — edition 2026
The Festival de Boucard celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026 with an exceptional anniversary season, from April 16 to December 12, 2026. Twelve classical, baroque, vocal, and world music events, held in the Romanesque churches and castles of Haut-Berry and Sancerrois. The 60th-anniversary concert will take place on July 22, 2026, in the grand gallery of the Château de La Verrerie. Patrons of this season: François Montaigu, son of founder Michel Montaigu, and Chantal Millérioux, a loyal supporter from the very beginning.
60th Anniversary of the Festival de Boucard — 2026 Anniversary Season
For its 60th anniversary, the Festival de Boucard presents a 2026 season spanning from April 16 to December 12, true to its itinerant identity: twelve concerts in the Romanesque churches and castles of Haut-Berry and Sancerrois. Artistic direction remains under the pianist Maxence Pilchen, with Alfred de Lassence as president.
An Anniversary Concert on July 22
The highlight of the season will be the 60th-anniversary concert, on July 22, 2026, at 8:45 PM in the grand gallery of the Château de La Verrerie. The program includes: Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Mozart, and Bizet, performed by a large ensemble bringing together vocal soloists and instrumentalists. The patrons of this edition are François Montaigu, son of founder Michel Montaigu, and Chantal Millérioux, present since the first edition in 1966.
Classical, Baroque, Vocal, and World Music
The 2026 program brings together large vocal ensembles (Chœur InChorus, MIKROKOSMOS, Lux Aeterna), chamber music (Quatuor Bedrich, Quatuor Tchalik), baroque music (duo Thomas Dunford / Bruno Philippe featuring Vivaldi, Bach, and Marin Marais), a violin recital with Marianne Piketty (Concert Idéal program), a piano recital by Maxence Pilchen, and forays into world music with the Paris Taïko Ensemble (Japanese drums) and the Scottish Fish Band (Scottish music).
Exceptional Heritage Venues
Concerts take place at the Château de La Verrerie (Oizon), the Château de Buranlure (Boulleret), La Forge d'Aubigny-sur-Nère, as well as in the churches of Concressault, Sury-ès-Bois, Ivoy-le-Pré, and Léré. The MIKROKOSMOS choral journey (July 10-12) takes the audience to several churches in the region.
Programme Festival de Boucard 2026
Thursday, April 16, 2026 — Opening
- 8:00 PM · Chœur InChorus (a cappella choir) — Chapelle du Château de La Verrerie, Oizon
Sunday, May 17, 2026
- 5:00 PM · Machiko Yanase-Raveau (piano) & Quatuor Bedrich — Galerie du Château de La Verrerie, Oizon · Bach Concerto, tribute concert · Special price: 10 €
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- 7:00 PM · Thomas Dunford (lute) & Bruno Philippe (cello) — La Forge, Aubigny-sur-Nère · Vivaldi, Bach, Marin Marais and airs
Friday, June 26, 2026
- 8:45 PM · Paris Taïko Ensemble (Japanese drums) — Château de La Verrerie, Oizon · Traditional Wadaiko
Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Choral Journey
- MIKROKOSMOS (choir) — Journey through several churches in the region · Program « Le Jour m'étonne »
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- 4:30 PM · Scottish Fish Band (traditional Scottish music) — Château de La Verrerie, Oizon · Special price: 8 €
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 — 60th Anniversary Concert
- 8:45 PM · 60th Anniversary Concert — Grande galerie du Château de La Verrerie, Oizon · Works by Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Mozart, Bizet · Sponsored by François Montaigu and Chantal Millérioux
Sunday, July 26, 2026
- 4:30 PM · Marianne Piketty · Concert Idéal (violin) — Église Saint-Pierre, Concressault · Works by Hildegarde de Bingen and Hartmann
Saturday, August 1, 2026
- 7:00 PM · Quatuor Tchalik (string quartet) — Église Saint-Martin, Sury-ès-Bois · Mozart, Fauré, Beethoven
Friday, September 18, 2026
- 7:00 PM · Maxence Pilchen (piano) — Château de Buranlure, Boulleret · Classical recital
Sunday, October 11, 2026
- 5:30 PM · Michel Deneuve (glass harmonica) — Église Saint-Aignan, Ivoy-le-Pré · Price: 10 € (5 € under 16)
Saturday, December 12, 2026 — Closing
- 5:00 PM · Lux Aeterna (vocal ensemble) — Église Saint-Martin, Léré · Liturgical music for Advent and Christmas
Highlights Festival de Boucard 2026
- 60th-anniversary season of the festival (created in 1966)
- Event concert on July 22, 2026, at 8:45 PM at the Château de La Verrerie — Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Mozart, Bizet
- Artistic direction by pianist Maxence Pilchen, who himself gives a recital at the Château de Buranlure on September 18
- Exceptional baroque duo Thomas Dunford / Bruno Philippe on May 26 in Aubigny-sur-Nère
- MIKROKOSMOS choral journey from July 10 to 12 in several churches in the region
- Recital by Marianne Piketty with her Concert Idéal program, on July 26 in Concressault
- Accessible reduced-price concerts: May 17 (10 €) and July 14 (8 €)
Prices Festival de Boucard 2026
Practical information — Festival de Boucard
Access
The Festival de Boucard takes place in various locations in Haut-Berry and Sancerrois, mainly around Le Noyer (18330), Sancerre (18300), and Aubigny-sur-Nère (18700).
- By car: From Paris (200 km), take A77 then D940. From Bourges (40 km), take D940.
- By train: Bourges SNCF station, then bus or car.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concert: generally between €10 and €20. Festival pass available. Discounts for young people and the unemployed.
Ticketing
Booking by phone, email, or on-site before the concerts.
Contact
- Website: www.festival-boucard.fr
- Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Festival de Boucard
Églises et châteaux du Haut-Berry
La Verrerie, 33 route Jacques Cœur, 18330 Le Noyer