Festival de Musique en Albret
Prestige and musical discovery in the heart of Albret
About Musique en Albret
A festival rooted in the history of Albret
The Festival de Musique en Albret was born in 1989 under the impetus of composer Jacques Castérède, Grand Prix de Rome 1953 and honorary professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and his wife Myriam Castérède, founding president of the association. For over 35 years, this summer event has combined prestige and discovery by bringing together internationally renowned musicians and emerging young talents in the heritage sites of the Albret region, in Lot-et-Garonne.
Artistic direction of excellence
In 2002, Jacques Castérède entrusted the artistic direction to cellist François Salque, a graduate of Yale and the Paris Conservatory, winner of over ten first prizes in international competitions, and a professor at the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne and the Paris Conservatory. Under his direction, the festival has expanded its repertoire, opening up to contemporary music, improvised music, and world music, while keeping the masterpieces of the classical repertoire at the heart of its programming.
A rich and eclectic program
Each summer, the festival offers about ten concerts spread over more than a month, from mid-July to mid-August. The program blends:
- Classical music: piano recitals, chamber music concerts, organ recitals, string ensembles
- Jazz and improvised music: tributes to great standards, gypsy jazz trios, carte blanche for renowned jazz musicians
- World and contemporary music: percussion, revisited baroque music, original creations
Among the artists who have marked recent editions are soprano Natalie Dessay, pianist Jacky Terrasson, guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg, organist Thierry Escaich, as well as many leading ensembles and soloists.
Remarkable concert venues
Concerts are held in historic locations spread across several towns in Albret:
- Vianne: Salle Jourdain de l'Isle, fortified medieval bastide
- Nérac: Espace d'Albret, Temple de Nérac
- Lavardac: Parc de la Mairie
- Barbaste: Théâtre de Barbaste
- Mézin: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
- Xaintrailles: Église de Xaintrailles
- Francescas: Église Notre-Dame
Territorial influence
Located between Bordeaux and Toulouse, the Festival de Musique en Albret actively contributes to the cultural influence of this rural area in southwestern France. It offers local audiences and summer visitors the opportunity to discover internationally renowned artists in an intimate and warm setting, within a remarkable architectural heritage. With over 105 concerts given in 20 different venues between 2015 and 2025, the festival has established itself as a major event in the cultural life of Lot-et-Garonne and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Musique en Albret — edition 2026
37th edition of the Festival de Musique en Albret, from July 8 to August 12, 2026. Under the artistic direction of cellist François Salque, twelve concerts and a play will take place across eight heritage sites in the Albret region (Nérac, Lavardac, Francescas, Montagnac-sur-Auvignon, Vianne, Buzet-sur-Baïse, Barbaste), blending classical music, gypsy jazz, and world music.
A 37th Edition Between Prestige and Discovery
From July 8 to August 12, 2026, the Festival de Musique en Albret presents its 37th edition: twelve concerts and a play spread across eight sites in the Albret region, in Lot-et-Garonne. True to the spirit envisioned by its founder Jacques Castérède and carried forward by the artistic direction of cellist François Salque, the festival brings together internationally renowned soloists and emerging young talents, from classical repertoire to gypsy jazz and world music.
Highlights of the 2026 Edition
- Opening night on July 8 at the Temple de Nérac with a carte blanche to violinist Pierre Fouchenneret (complete Bach for violin), followed by the Fouchenneret-Salque duo.
- The Ensemble Têtes de Chien with « La Marelle » on July 27 in Montagnac-sur-Auvignon.
- The Sirba Octet with its program « Tantz! » on August 6 at the Espace d'Albret in Nérac.
- A tribute to Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli on August 8 in Buzet-sur-Baïse.
- Closing day on August 12 at the Théâtre de Barbaste: piano recital by Byeongju Yu, the play « Shakespeare's Sister » and the concert « Female Composers! ».
Programme Musique en Albret 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 — Temple de Nérac
- 18h00 — Bach, Complete Works for Violin — Act I · Pierre Fouchenneret (violin)
- 20h30 — Strings in Celebration! · Pierre Fouchenneret & François Salque (Haendel/Halvorsen, Ravel)
Friday, July 17, 2026 — Parc de la Mairie, Lavardac
- 20h00 — Guitar and Harmonica · Antoine Boyer & Yeore Kim
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — Église Notre-Dame de Francescas
- 18h00 — Mozart, Around the Divertimento · Les solistes de l'Académie Ravel
- 20h30 — Clarinet & Strings
Monday, July 27, 2026 — Église de Montagnac-sur-Auvignon
- 20h00 — La Marelle · Ensemble Têtes de Chien
Monday, August 3, 2026 — Salle Jourdain de l'Isle, Vianne
- 18h00 — Origins & Creation — Act I
- 20h30 — Origins & Creation — Act II
Thursday, August 6, 2026 — Espace d'Albret, Nérac
- 20h00 — Sirba Octet « Tantz! »
Saturday, August 8, 2026 — Salle des fêtes, Buzet-sur-Baïse
- 20h00 — Tribute to Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — Théâtre de Barbaste
- 16h00 — Piano Recital · Byeongju Yu
- 18h00 — Theater: Shakespeare's Sister
- 20h30 — Female Composers!
Highlights Musique en Albret 2026
- 37th edition: 12 concerts and a play, from July 8 to August 12, 2026
- Artistic direction by cellist François Salque
- Carte blanche to Pierre Fouchenneret for the complete Bach works (July 8, Nérac)
- Sirba Octet and tribute to Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli in early August
- Concerts spread across 8 heritage sites in the Albret region
Prices Musique en Albret 2026
Practical information — Musique en Albret
Access
The Festival de Musique en Albret takes place in several towns in the Albret region of Lot-et-Garonne, with concerts in Vianne, Nérac, Lavardac, Barbaste, Mézin, Xaintrailles, and Francescas.
- By car: From Agen, take the D656 towards Nérac then Vianne (approx. 40 minutes). From Bordeaux, take the A62 exit Aiguillon then the D8 towards Vianne (approx. 1h30). From Toulouse, A62 exit Agen then D656 (approx. 2h).
- By train: Nérac station (TER Agen-Nérac line). Agen TGV station on the Bordeaux-Toulouse line, then a connection to Nérac.
Concert Venues
Concerts are held in various heritage sites in Albret. Exact addresses and access maps are provided for each concert on the festival's official website and on the tickets.
- Vianne: Salle Jourdain de l'Isle
- Nérac: Espace d'Albret, Temple de Nérac
- Lavardac: Parc de la Mairie
- Barbaste: Théâtre de Barbaste
- Mézin: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
- Xaintrailles: Église de Xaintrailles
- Francescas: Église Notre-Dame
Times
Concerts generally start at 8:00 PM. Some daytime concerts may take place at 4:30 PM or 6:00 PM. Consult the detailed program on the official website.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concert:
- Full price: €20
- Member price: €15
- Reduced price (students, job seekers, social welfare recipients): €5
- Free for under 18s
Season tickets and passes available for multiple concerts. Online ticketing on the festival's official website.
Contact
Association Festival de Musique en Albret
10, route de Garlies - Puy Fort Eguille
47600 Nérac
- Phone: 06 15 14 13 36 / 05 53 65 27 75
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.festivalbret.com
- Facebook: Festival de Musique en Albret
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Where does it take place — Musique en Albret
Salle Jourdain de l'Isle
10, route de Garlies - Puy Fort Eguille, 47230 Vianne