Festival de Saintes — Abbaye aux Dames
The major classical music event in Charente-Maritime
About Festival de Saintes
A festival born in 1972
In 1972, driven by the journalist Alain Pacquier, then 24 years old, the Festival de Saintes was born and brought the Abbaye aux Dames back to life, which was then in poor condition. The first harpsichord, recorder, and baroque oboe workshops attracted 3,000 spectators for eight concerts.
International reach
The first editions revealed young performers who have since become major figures in baroque music: William Christie, Philippe Herreweghe, Jean-Claude Malgoire, Jordi Savall. Today, the festival continues this tradition by welcoming over 400 artists of all generations.
The Abbaye aux Dames, a musical city
The former Benedictine abbey, founded in 1047, has become a musical city offering the Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye throughout the year, programs like Préludes for young musicians, and of course the Festival de Saintes every July with about thirty concerts over 8 days.
Festival de Saintes — edition 2026
55th edition of the Festival de Saintes, from July 11 to 18, 2026 at the Abbaye aux Dames. Eight days and 29 classical music concerts bringing together over 400 artists, under the artistic direction of Ophélie Gaillard. This edition honors long-forgotten female composers (from Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre to Elsa Barraine) and continues the dialogue between ancient repertoire and contemporary forms.
Festival de Saintes 2026 — 55th edition
From July 11 to 18, 2026, the Festival de Saintes returns to the Abbaye aux Dames, Cité Musicale, for its 55th edition. Eight days of music, 29 concerts and over 400 artists gathered in an exceptional setting.
Under the artistic direction of Ophélie Gaillard, the 2026 edition "weaves a subtle link between continuity and renewal". Two main themes structure the program: highlighting long-marginalized female composers — from Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre to Elsa Barraine — and continuing the cross-pollination between ancient repertoire and contemporary forms (dance with Compagnie Käfig, immersive creations by La Compagnie La Tempête).
Concerts take place at the Abbatiale and in the auditorium and gardens of the Abbaye aux Dames, at Saint-Pierre Cathedral and at the Gallia Théâtre Cinéma in Saintes.
Programme Festival de Saintes 2026
Friday, July 11, 2026 — Opening
- Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye, conducted by Victor Julien-Laferrière, with Jean-Frédéric Neuburger (piano) — Liszt, Schumann
Monday, July 13, 2026
- Le Concert de la Reine, conducted by Chloé de Guillebon — tribute to female pioneers (Jacquet de la Guerre, Charpentier, Dumont, Marais)
- Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe — Beethoven's Symphonies No. 5 and No. 6
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- Insula Orchestra, conducted by Laurence Equilbey, with Sandrine Piau (soprano) — Bach's Magnificat and Mozart's Coronation Mass
During the festival
- Patricia Petibon (soprano) with the Amarillis ensemble
- Compagnie Käfig (dance) and La Compagnie La Tempête (immersive creation)
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Closing
- Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine — Ravel's Boléro (open-air in the Abbey gardens), Mussorgsky, Clara Schumann
Full program (29 concerts) and reservations on the official website.
Highlights Festival de Saintes 2026
- 55th edition: 8 days, 29 concerts, over 400 artists
- Artistic direction by Ophélie Gaillard
- Tribute to forgotten female composers (Jacquet de la Guerre to Elsa Barraine)
- Open-air closing concert: Ravel's Boléro by the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
- Headliners: Philippe Herreweghe, Laurence Equilbey & Sandrine Piau, Patricia Petibon
Prices Festival de Saintes 2026
Practical information — Festival de Saintes
Practical information
Location
Abbaye aux Dames, Cité Musicale - Saintes
Access
- By train: Saintes station then 10 min walk
- By car: Abbaye parking
- By bus: lines serving Abbaye aux Dames
Prices
- Online ticketing on the Abbaye aux Dames website
- Prices vary depending on the concert
- Festival pass available
- Reduced prices for young people and job seekers
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Where does it take place — Festival de Saintes
Abbaye aux Dames
11 Place de l'Abbaye, 17100 Saintes