Festival de Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme
Music and shows in the gothic setting of the Saint-Riquier Abbey
About Festival de Saint-Riquier
A festival born in a Gothic masterpiece
The Festival de Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme was created in 1985 under the impetus of Max Lejeune, then president of the Somme General Council, with the desire to develop new cultural venues in the Somme region. From its very first editions, the festival has been held in the Abbey of Saint-Riquier, an emblematic monument founded in the 7th century, whose Gothic nave offers remarkable acoustics and a stunning white stone setting. The abbey church, with its soaring vaults and exceptional luminosity, has captivated the most demanding artists on the international music scene.
Forty years of musical influence
Initially dedicated to symphonic and operatic concerts of the great classical repertoire, the Festival de Saint-Riquier has gradually opened up to other musical universes. In 2018, the Somme Departmental Council initiated a new artistic direction, diversifying the programming to blend classical music, French song, jazz, world music, and contemporary creations. This openness has allowed the festival to broaden its audience while maintaining the excellence for which it is renowned.
A prestigious program in a unique setting
Each summer, for a week in July, the Abbey of Saint-Riquier hosts about fifteen concerts and shows. The biggest names in French and international music have performed under the abbey's vaults: from Marc Lavoine to Laurent Voulzy, from Renaud Capuçon to Luz Casal, including Lambert Wilson and Thomas Fersen. The 2025 edition, celebrating the festival's 40th anniversary, featured sixteen concerts in six days, confirming the event's influence beyond the borders of Picardy.
Strong territorial roots in the Baie de Somme
The Festival de Saint-Riquier is more than a musical event: it is a vector of cultural and tourist development for the Baie de Somme and the Somme department. Supported by the Somme Departmental Council, it participates in the enhancement of the abbey's architectural heritage, a listed historic monument. Spectators attending the concerts benefit from free access to guided tours of the abbey and exhibitions, strengthening the link between music and heritage. The festival helps make Saint-Riquier, a charming small town in the Somme valley, a recognized cultural destination.
Festival de Saint-Riquier — edition 2026
The 41st edition of the Festival de Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme takes place from July 8 to 12, 2026, in Saint-Riquier Abbey, a jewel of Picard Gothic art. For 5 days, 11 concerts spread across three locations on the site — the abbey church, the outdoor Studio, and Le Préô — invite you on a cosmopolitan musical journey blending classical music, great French chanson, world music, jazz, and rock. Among the headliners: Julien Clerc, Angélique Kidjo accompanied by the Orchestre de Picardie, Khatia Buniatishvili, Imany, and Michel Jonasz.
A cosmopolitan and festive 2026 edition
From July 8 to 12, 2026, the Festival de Saint-Riquier returns for a new edition marked by artistic excellence, sharing, and openness to all music genres. An unmissable event of the departmental cultural season, it promotes artistic creation, reveals talents, and offers an eclectic and accessible program in an exceptional heritage setting.
For 5 days, festival-goers experience a true musical interlude with 11 concerts spread across three locations on the site: the abbey church, a historical and architectural jewel of the Samarian heritage, the outdoor Studio, and Le Préô. This edition offers a cosmopolitan musical journey blending classical music, French chanson, world music, jazz, and rock.
Much more than concerts
Beyond the program, the Festival offers a refreshment bar open from 4:00 PM and a catering service from 5:00 PM, exhibitions freely accessible to day ticket holders, strolling areas in the 4-hectare natural wooded park, as well as guided tours of the abbey every day at 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM (duration 45 min), free for day ticket holders.
Programme Festival de Saint-Riquier 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Julien Clerc · Abbey Church
Thursday, July 9, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Natascha Rogers · Outdoor Studio
- 9:00 PM — Angélique Kidjo & the Orchestre de Picardie · Abbey Church
Friday, July 10, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Lisa Pariente · Outdoor Studio
- 9:00 PM — Imany · Abbey Church
Saturday, July 11, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Mathilde Nguyen · Le Préô
- 7:00 PM — Guillaume Bellom · Outdoor Studio
- 9:00 PM — Khatia Buniatishvili · Abbey Church
Sunday, July 12, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Verb · Le Préô
- 7:00 PM — Flore Benguigui & The Sensible Notes · Outdoor Studio
- 9:00 PM — Michel Jonasz · Abbey Church
Highlights Festival de Saint-Riquier 2026
- 11 concerts over 5 days in the Gothic abbey of Saint-Riquier
- Headliners: Julien Clerc, Angélique Kidjo & the Orchestre de Picardie, Imany, Khatia Buniatishvili, Michel Jonasz
- Three venues: the abbey church, the outdoor Studio, and Le Préô
- Exhibitions, 4-hectare wooded park, and guided tours of the abbey offered with a day ticket
- Single price of 5 € at Le Préô, free for children under 5 (with reservation)
Prices Festival de Saint-Riquier 2026
Practical information — Festival de Saint-Riquier
Access
The festival takes place at three locations on the Saint-Riquier Abbey site (80135), in the Somme Bay, 10 km from Abbeville: the abbey church (place de l'église), the Open-air Studio (departmental cultural center of the Abbey) and Le Préô (1 rue de l'école des filles).
By car: from Paris (200 km), A16 exit Abbeville, then D925 towards Saint-Riquier; from Amiens (60 km), A16 then D925.
By train: Abbeville station (TER Hauts-de-France from Amiens or Boulogne), then shuttle or taxi to Saint-Riquier.
Parking: free parking lots near the abbey.
On site
Refreshment stand in the Abbey gardens from 4:00 PM and catering from 5:00 PM. Exhibitions, a 4-hectare wooded natural park, and guided tours of the abbey (daily at 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM, duration 45 min) are free for holders of a concert ticket for the day.
Prices
Abbey church: full price from 18 € to 50 €, reduced price from 15 € to 45 €. Open-air Studio: full price 18 €, reduced price 15 €. Le Préô: single price 5 €. Free for children under 5 (reservation required).
Ticketing
Online reservation on the official festival website or by phone at 03 60 03 44 70.
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Where does it take place — Festival de Saint-Riquier
Abbaye de Saint-Riquier
Abbaye de Saint-Riquier, 80135 Saint-Riquier