Festival de Caunes-Minervois
Jazz and classical music festival at the abbey of Caunes-Minervois in Aude
About Festival de Caunes
An exceptional musical setting in the Benedictine abbey
The Festival de Caunes-Minervois takes place in one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Languedoc: the Benedictine abbey of Caunes-Minervois, founded in the 8th century. The concerts are held in the Romanesque apse of the abbey, whose natural acoustics enhance the musical performances. This exceptional architectural setting, enriched with pillars of incarnate red marble—the local specialty—gives the musical evenings an intimate and solemn atmosphere.
Jazz and classical: bold musical encounters
The festival's programming is distinguished by its desire to create a dialogue between jazz and classical music within the same event. Each edition offers six evenings of concerts spread over a week, alternating between contemporary jazz, chamber music, recitals, and original creations. The festival favors artists who push the boundaries between genres, encouraging musical crossovers and new collaborations.
In 2025, the 7th edition featured Léon Phal / Stress Killer, Célia Kaméni performing "Méduse", the Hermès Quartet, the show Virtuosi!, the Trio Moreau in a Schubertiade, and Julien Martineau with the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra for the closing evening "Vivaldi and the Mandolin".
A discovery day at the heart of the festival
Mid-week, the festival offers a free discovery day open to all, allowing the public to meet the artists, attend open rehearsals, and discover the behind-the-scenes of the festival. This day reflects the organizers' commitment to making music accessible to as many people as possible and fostering connections between artists and the public.
A village of character in the heart of Minervois
Caunes-Minervois, labeled Petite Cité de Caractère (Small Town of Character), offers festival-goers an exceptional place to stay. A wine-growing village renowned for its incarnate red marble that adorns the Palace of Versailles, Caunes invites visitors to explore its medieval streets, tasting cellars, and historic marble quarries. The festival thus contributes to the tourist and cultural appeal of this exceptional village.
Festival de Caunes — edition 2026
The 8th edition of the Festival de Caunes-Minervois takes place from August 24 to 29, 2026, in the exceptional setting of the Benedictine abbey, between the Romanesque apse and the Moorish cloister. Six evenings of concerts blending jazz and classical music, with Mark Priore Trio, Robinson Khoury, Noëmi Waysfeld, the show Virtuosi!!, pianist Nathalia Milstein and violinist Manon Galy accompanied by the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse. A free discovery day is held on August 26 in the heart of the village.
Caunes-Minervois Festival 2026 — 8th edition
For its 8th edition, the Festival de Caunes-Minervois returns from August 24 to 29, 2026 to the Benedictine abbey. Six evenings of concerts at 9:00 PM unfold between the Romanesque apse and the Moorish cloister, faithful to the festival's identity: fostering dialogue between jazz and classical music, creating unique encounters, and highlighting the new generation of musicians. The evenings are presented by Max Dozolme, journalist and musicologist from France Musique.
The 2026 program alternates jazz and classical: the Mark Priore Trio and its project « Lux Divina » as the opening act, trombonist Robinson Khoury with « MŸA », Noëmi Waysfeld's tribute to Barbara, the show Virtuosi!! bringing together young classical stars, a piano recital by Nathalia Milstein, and the closing entrusted to violinist Manon Galy with the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse. At the end of each evening concert, the audience can meet the artists over a drink.
In the middle of the week, the discovery day on Wednesday, August 26, offers free events in the heart of the village (Place de la Mairie and Place de l'Église), at 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM, to make music accessible to everyone.
Programme Festival de Caunes 2026
Monday, August 24, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Mark Priore Trio « Lux Divina » · Abbey, at the apse — jazz, piano
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Robinson Khoury « MŸA » · Abbey, at the apse — jazz, trombone
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
- 11:30 AM & 6:00 PM — Discovery Day · Place de la Mairie / Place de l'Église — free events
- 9:00 PM — Noëmi Waysfeld · Abbey, at the apse — tribute to Barbara
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Virtuosi!! · Abbey, at the cloister — young classical stars
Friday, August 28, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Nathalia Milstein · Abbey, at the cloister — piano recital
Saturday, August 29, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Manon Galy & Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse · Abbey, at the apse — violin, closing
Highlights Festival de Caunes 2026
- 8th edition, from August 24 to 29, 2026 at the Benedictine abbey of Caunes-Minervois
- Six evenings of concerts at 9:00 PM, between the Romanesque apse and the Moorish cloister
- Headliners: Mark Priore Trio, Robinson Khoury, Noëmi Waysfeld, Nathalia Milstein, Manon Galy & the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse
- Free discovery day on Wednesday, August 26 in the heart of the village
- Concerts presented by Max Dozolme (France Musique)
Prices Festival de Caunes 2026
Practical information — Festival de Caunes
Practical Information
Access
By car: Caunes-Minervois is located 25 km northeast of Carcassonne via the D620. From Narbonne (35 km), take the D607 then the D620.
By train: Carcassonne SNCF station (25 km) or Trèbes station (15 km).
Prices
Individual concert: €28. Student price: €15. Free for under 18s. 6-concert pass: €126. Discovery day: free.
Usual Dates
Last week of August (six concert evenings at 9:00 PM).
Contact
Festival de Caunes-Minervois
Website: festival-caunes-minervois.org
Ticketing: www.vostickets.net
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Where does it take place — Festival de Caunes
Abbaye de Caunes-Minervois
Abbaye de Caunes-Minervois, 11160 Caunes-Minervois