Festival de Chambord
Classical music festival in the courtyard of Chambord Castle, under the artistic direction of Vanessa Wagner.
2026
About Festival de Chambord
The Chambord Festival is a summer classical music event organised every summer by the Domaine national de Chambord in the castle courtyard. Created in 2011 and placed under the artistic direction of pianist Vanessa Wagner, it offers an eclectic programme spanning over four centuries of creation, from Bach to Philip Glass, from baroque to contemporary minimalism.
Each year, the festival brings together major French orchestras, leading soloists and emerging young talents, in the castle's inner courtyard as well as in some unusual locations within the monument during the "Château en musique" evening. Several evenings also offer a combined ticket that includes a visit to the castle and the concert.
Festival de Chambord — edition 2026
The 15th edition of the Chambord Festival takes place from July 4 to 11, 2026, in the courtyard of the Château de Chambord. A condensed format for this anniversary year: eight days and eight concerts at 7:30 PM, under the artistic direction of Vanessa Wagner.
The program brings together Anne Gastinel and Les Siècles conducted by Jakob Lehmann, pianist Vanessa Wagner, the Orchestre de l'Opéra Royal de Versailles with harpsichordist Justin Taylor, guitarists Thibaut Garcia and Antoine Morinière, the all-female ensemble Smoking Joséphine, the Orchestre d'harmonie de la Garde républicaine, and a carte blanche to Renaud Capuçon. A "Château en musique" evening is also offered in the interior spaces of the castle.
A Condensed 15th Edition — Eight Days, Eight Concerts
For its fifteenth anniversary, the Chambord Festival adopts a condensed format from Saturday, July 4 to Saturday, July 11, 2026: one concert each evening at 7:30 PM, in the castle's inner courtyard, with a diversity of repertoires spanning more than four centuries of music, from Bach to Philip Glass.
Artistic Direction by Vanessa Wagner
Pianist Vanessa Wagner, artistic director of the festival since its creation in 2011, once again curates a program where major French orchestras (Les Siècles, Orchestre de l'Opéra Royal de Versailles, Orchestre d'harmonie de la Garde républicaine), leading soloists (Anne Gastinel, Renaud Capuçon, Justin Taylor, Thibaut Garcia), and young talents interact during the "Château en musique" evening.
Bach and Philip Glass at the Heart of the Edition
Several concerts are part of the edition's dual theme: Bach (Goldberg Variations revisited for two guitars by Thibaut Garcia and Antoine Morinière, Harpsichord Concertos with Justin Taylor) and minimalist modernity (Bach / Philip Glass recital by Vanessa Wagner).
Highlights Festival de Chambord 2026
- 15th anniversary edition, condensed format of 8 days and 8 concerts
- Carte blanche to Renaud Capuçon for the closing concert (Saturday, July 11)
- Stage premiere of the Goldberg Variations by Thibaut Garcia and Antoine Morinière on two twin guitars
- Bach / Philip Glass recital by artistic director Vanessa Wagner
- Opening symphonic concert with Les Siècles and Anne Gastinel (Dvořák, Beethoven "Pastoral")
- Concerts in the inner courtyard of the Château de Chambord at 7:30 PM
- Combined Castle + Concert ticket available
Programme Festival de Chambord 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Anne Gastinel & Les Siècles — Conductor: Jakob Lehmann.
Program: Dvořák, Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral".
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Vanessa Wagner, piano recital.
Program: works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Philip Glass — a confrontation between baroque architectural rigor and the hypnotic melodies of minimalist music.
Monday, July 6, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Château en musique — an evening dedicated to the young generation of musicians, with free wandering through the castle and several sets by musicians or duos performed in unusual locations within the monument (date to be confirmed with the box office).
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Orchestre de l'Opéra Royal de Versailles & Justin Taylor (harpsichord and conductor).
Program: Harpsichord Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach and suites by Johann Bernhard Bach. First participation of this ensemble in the festival.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Thibaut Garcia & Antoine Morinière, guitar duo.
Program: Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach, transcribed for two twin guitars built by luthier Hugo Cuvillier from the same wood.
Thursday, July 9, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Smoking Joséphine — first project of this 100% female string quintet.
Friday, July 10, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Orchestre d'harmonie de la Garde républicaine — conductor: Colonel Bastien Stil, with 80 musicians from National Conservatories.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Carte blanche to Renaud Capuçon — program with cellists, violists, and pianist Vanessa Wagner.
Prices Festival de Chambord 2026
Category 2: 30 € (full) / 25 € (reduced)
Combined Castle + Concert ticket: 39.50 €
Prices starting from 23 € depending on concerts and categories.
Festival de Chambord — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 4 July to 11 July 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Festival de Chambord
Access to the Domaine de Chambord
By Car
The Château de Chambord is located 15 km from Blois via the D33, and 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris via the A10 motorway (exit Blois or Mer). A large free car park is available near the entrance to the domain.
By Shuttle
During the summer period, shuttles connect Blois to Chambord. Information from the Blois-Chambord tourist office.
By Train
The nearest station is Blois-Chambord station, served by TER Centre-Val de Loire and Intercités trains from Paris-Austerlitz (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). From the station, it is possible to reach Chambord by shuttle, taxi, or bicycle.
Concert Times
Concerts generally start in the early evening, between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM, depending on the program. Doors open approximately 1 hour before the concert begins. Precise times are communicated on the official website and online ticketing.
Ticketing
Tickets are available on the online ticketing platform of the Château de Chambord at chateaudechambord.tickeasy.com as well as on usual ticketing networks (Fnac, Ticketmaster). It is recommended to book in advance as some concerts sell out quickly.
Food and Drink
Food and drink facilities are available on the domain during the festival evenings. The domain also has several restaurants open year-round.
Accessibility
The domain is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Adapted spaces are provided for wheelchair users. It is recommended to report any special needs when booking.
Additional Information
- Concerts are held outdoors in the gardens: bring clothing suitable for the weather and a light jacket for the evening
- Seating is provided for garden concerts
- Smoking is prohibited in the concert areas
Contact
Phone: 02 54 50 50 40
Official website: www.chambord.org
Email: [email protected]
The Festival de Chambord: Music at the Heart of a Renaissance Gem
The Festival de Chambord is one of the most prestigious musical events in the Loire Valley. Created in 2012, it takes place every summer in the French gardens of the Domaine national de Chambord, at the foot of the majestic north facade of the château, a Renaissance masterpiece listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981.
An Exceptional Artistic Direction
Since its creation, the artistic direction of the festival has been entrusted to the pianist Vanessa Wagner, a major figure on the French music scene. Under her leadership, the festival has established itself as a venue for bold musical encounters, where renowned classical musicians mingle with emerging artists and talents from diverse backgrounds. Among the invited artists are André Manoukian, Bertrand Chamayou, Edgar Moreau, Doulce Mémoire, and many others.
An Eclectic and Refined Program
The program of the Festival de Chambord is deliberately eclectic, embracing a wide musical spectrum: Renaissance songs, Baroque music, Romantic repertoire, jazz, French chanson, world music, and contemporary creations. Each edition features a dozen themed evenings, with open-air concerts in the gardens as well as more intimate recitals in the château's halls. The festival brings together nearly 300 artists each year, including 4 orchestras and internationally renowned soloists.
An Incomparable Architectural Setting
The Château de Chambord, commissioned by François I starting in 1519, is the largest of the Loire Valley châteaux. With its 426 rooms, its famous double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, and its 5,440 hectares of enclosed forest domain, it offers a unique setting for concerts. The open-air performances take place facing the north facade, with the illuminated château as a backdrop, creating a magical atmosphere at dusk.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
The Festival de Chambord actively contributes to the cultural influence of Loir-et-Cher and the Centre-Val de Loire region. It is part of the annual program of the Domaine national de Chambord, alongside other major events such as Chambord Live and the equestrian show. The festival contributes to the development of cultural tourism in the Loire Valley and attracts a loyal audience from all over France and abroad.
Where does it take place — Festival de Chambord
Festival de Chambord in brief
History of Festival de Chambord
Edition 2025 Jun 2025Other festivals near Chambord
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)