Festival de La Chaise-Dieu
The major event for classical and sacred music in Auvergne
About La Chaise-Dieu
Festival de La Chaise-Dieu: sixty years of music in the heart of Auvergne
Since 1966, the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu has transformed this medieval village in Haute-Loire into a major venue for classical music every late summer. Founded by the Hungarian virtuoso pianist Georges Cziffra, who discovered the abbey and its organ during a private visit, the festival was born from a generous gesture: Cziffra gave several recitals whose fees were donated to the reconstruction of the organ in the Saint-Robert Abbey.
Exceptional architectural heritage serving music
The Saint-Robert Abbey, a jewel of 14th-century Auvergne Gothic art, is the beating heart of the festival. Its remarkable acoustics make it an ideal setting for large symphony orchestras, choirs, and sacred music. The Cziffra Auditorium, named in honor of the founder, complements the facilities by hosting chamber recitals and intimate concerts. The festival also extends to neighboring towns: the Brioude basilica, the Lavaudieu church, the Saint-Paulien collegiate church, and other heritage sites in Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, and Loire.
An excellent program blending tradition and discovery
The program of the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu encompasses all styles and musical eras: sacred, baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary music, opera, and chamber music. Each edition brings together the greatest international orchestras and the most renowned performers around masterpieces of the repertoire. Handel's oratorios, Bach's masses, Mozart and Beethoven's masses, Monteverdi's operas, and symphonies from the romantic repertoire resonate under the Gothic vaults of the abbey.
The festival also places great importance on discovery and transmission. The Génération Chaise-Dieu program highlights talented young ensembles through about fifteen free concerts in the surrounding villages, promoting access to classical music for all audiences.
Major cultural and territorial influence
Under the direction of Guy Ramona for 27 years, and then under the impetus of Boris Blanco, general director since 2022, the festival has continuously developed. It now operates in 24 towns across three departments, offering 33 paid concerts and over 50 free events: organ recitals, musicological conferences, fireworks, and family activities.
With over 23,000 spectators per edition and a record occupancy rate of 89%, the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu asserts itself as one of the major classical music events in France and a key player in the cultural and tourist dynamism of Auvergne.
La Chaise-Dieu — edition 2026
60th Edition - August 18 to 30, 2026
The Festival de La Chaise-Dieu celebrates a historic anniversary in 2026: 60 years of classical and sacred music in the heart of Haute-Loire. From August 18 to 30, this anniversary edition promises to be exceptional, befitting six decades of international musical renown.
An Ambitious Program
The 60th edition will take place in 24 towns across three departments (Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Loire), featuring 33 paid concerts and 52 free events. The program will encompass all musical styles and eras, "from Glass to Monteverdi, from Brahms to Haydn," in the words of General Director Boris Blanco.
An Anniversary with Meaning
This anniversary edition aligns with the philosophy the festival has upheld since its inception: "Whatever happens, we will continue to make music, because in all circumstances, it is the greatest thing Man can do." The full program will be unveiled on April 7, 2026.
Programme La Chaise-Dieu 2026
The program for the 60th edition (from August 18 to 30, 2026) has been unveiled by the organization. It brings together around thirty paid concerts at the Abbatiale Saint-Robert de La Chaise-Dieu and in about twenty communes across three departments (Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Loire), complemented by "Musical Talks", conferences, and the "Génération Chaise-Dieu" cycle.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- 4:00 PM — Musical Talk, Le Camino (Le Puy-en-Velay)
- 9:00 PM — "Peace on Earth", Les Cris de Paris, conducted by Geoffroy Jourdain · Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Le Puy-en-Velay)
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 — Opening Night
- 4:00 PM — Musical Talk, Auditorium Cziffra (La Chaise-Dieu)
- 9:00 PM — Opening Gala Concert: Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano) and the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Iván Fischer · Abbatiale Saint-Robert, followed by a fireworks display at 11:00 PM on Place du Monument
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- 4:00 PM — Musical Talk, Auditorium Cziffra
- 7:00 PM — Conference, Auditorium Cziffra
- 9:00 PM — "Mass for La Chaise-Dieu", with Zanda Švēde (alto) and Cyrille Dubois (tenor) · Abbatiale Saint-Robert
Friday, August 21, 2026
- 3:00 PM — "New World Symphony", Saehyun Kim (piano), Latvian National Symphony Orchestra · Abbatiale Saint-Robert
Festival Highlights
- Saturday, August 29 — Nemanja Radulović and his ensemble Double Sens
- Sunday, August 30 — Renaud Capuçon: the Goldberg Variations in their string trio transcription
Among the other artists and ensembles announced for this anniversary edition: Daniele Rustioni and the Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Paris, Leonardo García-Alarcón and the Cappella Mediterranea, Bertrand Chamayou and Sergey Khachatryan. The program includes works by Bach, Monteverdi, Mahler, Brahms, Haydn, and Montalbetti. The full day-by-day program is available on the official website chaise-dieu.com.
Highlights La Chaise-Dieu 2026
- 60th anniversary edition (1966-2026), from August 18 to 30, 2026
- Opening gala concert on August 19: Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Iván Fischer, followed by a fireworks display
- Around thirty paid concerts and dozens of free-access events, spread across twenty communes in three departments
- Headliners: Renaud Capuçon, Nemanja Radulović, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Bertrand Chamayou, Daniele Rustioni, Leonardo García-Alarcón
- Concerts at the Abbatiale Saint-Robert and in the villages of Auvergne and Forez
Prices La Chaise-Dieu 2026
Practical information — La Chaise-Dieu
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: La Chaise-Dieu is located about 1 hour from Clermont-Ferrand via the RN102 then the D906, 1.5 hours from Saint-Étienne via the RN88 then the D906, and 45 minutes from Le Puy-en-Velay via the D906. Free parking is available near the abbey.
By train: The nearest station is Le Puy-en-Velay (45 km), served by TER trains from Saint-Étienne and Lyon. Shuttles are usually organized during the festival.
Concert Venues
The main concerts take place in the Saint-Robert Abbey (Place de l'Abbaye, 43160 La Chaise-Dieu) and the Cziffra Auditorium. Concerts are also scheduled in the surrounding towns of Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, and Loire.
Ticketing and Prices
Tickets for paid concerts are available online on the Digitick platform (web.digitick.com) and from the La Chaise-Dieu tourist information office by phone or mail. Ticket prices range from €10 to €50 depending on the performance and seating category.
Subscription Packages:
- Tempo Subscription (3 to 5 concerts): -10% on the unit price
- Maestro Subscription (6 concerts and more): -25% on the unit price
- Reduced rate (-50%) for under 28s, job seekers, and recipients of minimum social benefits
Free Events
Numerous events are offered free of charge: Génération Chaise-Dieu concerts, organ recitals, musicological conferences, fireworks, and various activities.
Accommodation
La Chaise-Dieu and its surroundings offer a variety of accommodation options: hotels, B&Bs, rural gites, and campsites. It is highly recommended to book in advance, as the village is very popular during the festival. The La Chaise-Dieu tourist office can assist you with your search.
Food and Drink
Food and drink areas are set up on the festival site. Restaurants and shops in the village are also within walking distance.
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Where does it take place — La Chaise-Dieu
Abbatiale Saint-Robert
Place de l'Abbaye, 43160 La Chaise-Dieu