Festival de Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme

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.