Festival des Forêts
Classical music in the heart of the forests of Compiègne and Laigue
About Festival des Forêts
Classical music in the great outdoors
The Festival des Forêts is a unique event in France that has been combining classical music and nature since 1993. Every summer, for three weeks, the state forests of Compiègne and Laigue become the stage for exceptional concerts in natural and heritage settings of striking beauty.
Fifteen remarkable sites
The concerts take place in fifteen remarkable and unusual natural sites: ancient clearings, abbey ruins, forest chapels, pond edges, and majestic groves. This setting in extraordinary locations offers spectators an incomparable acoustic and sensory experience, where birdsong mingles with the musicians' melodies.
An ambitious program
Each edition features around twenty concerts and six musical forest bathing sessions, bringing together nearly 200 artists. The program combines masterpieces from the classical repertoire with original creations, from intimate recitals to orchestral performances. The festival gives a prominent place to young talents while welcoming internationally renowned artists.
Musical forest bathing sessions
An innovation of the festival, the musical forest bathing sessions offer immersive experiences where music accompanies a meditative walk in the heart of nature. These special moments, between concert and forest stroll, perfectly illustrate the festival's philosophy.
A festival committed to the environment
The Festival des Forêts demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental preservation and raising public awareness of nature. Concert sites are chosen and developed with respect for biodiversity, and environmental mediation actions accompany the musical program.
An hour from Paris
Located in the Oise department, an hour from Paris by car or train, the festival benefits from an exceptional forest setting and remarkable accessibility. It is an invitation to leave the city to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Picardy forests and discover music in a new way.
Festival des Forêts — edition 2026
The 34th edition of the Festival des Forêts takes place from June 21 to July 12, 2026, on the theme "The Four Seasons without Vivaldi". Three weeks of classical music in the heart of the Compiègne and Laigue forests: 16 concerts, 6 musical forest baths, 200 artists, and 15 remarkable and unusual natural sites.
34th edition — From June 21 to July 12, 2026
The Festival des Forêts returns for its 34th edition from June 21 to July 12, 2026, centered around the theme "The Four Seasons without Vivaldi". For three weeks, classical music will unfold in fifteen natural and heritage sites within the Compiègne and Laigue forests, an hour from Paris.
A rich program
On the program: 16 concerts, 6 musical forest baths, and nearly 200 artists, bringing together young talents and internationally renowned musicians. The festival offers various concert formats — symphonic concerts, spatialized concerts, hiking concerts, intimate recitals — in exceptional venues such as the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne, the Château de Pierrefonds, or the outdoor theater of Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres.
For young audiences
The festival offers concerts for young audiences as well as artistic awareness workshops, "P'tites zoreilles" (Little Ears), intended for children aged 4 to 10.
Programme Festival des Forêts 2026
Saturday, June 21, 2026 — Compiègne
- Travel Diaries — Amanda Favier (violin) & Élodie Soulard (accordion), as part of the Fête de la musique
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — Rethondes
- "P'tites zoreilles" (Little Ears) workshop (Mozart) in Compiègne
- Dinner at Auberge du Pont, then concert "There are no more seasons"
Friday, June 26, 2026 — Compiègne
- Te Deum for Notre-Dame, featuring Thierry Escaich; cocktail cruise and prelude
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Musical forest bath with Lisa Strauss — Tracy-le-Val
- Lucas Debargue & the Castro-Balbi brothers — Saint-Crépin-aux-Bois
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — Vieux-Moulin
- Family musical forest bath (Lisa Strauss)
- Lullabies of the World · Toy Symphony
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 — Compiègne
- Quatuor Hermès
Wednesday, July 1 & Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Choisy-au-Bac
- "P'tites zoreilles" (Little Ears) workshops
- "Italy, without Vivaldi!" — Théo Ould & the Orchestre de Picardie; cocktail cruise and picnic
Saturday, July 4 & Sunday, July 5, 2026 — Vieux-Moulin
- Musical forest baths (Jeanne Monteilhet & Bertrand Dazin) · Sound Yoga
- Meditative concert under the stars with the Slovak Chamber Orchestra
Tuesday, July 7 & Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- Harpsichord recital by Chloé de Guillebon — Chelles
- Boismortier's "The Seasons", with musicians from the Opéra Royal de Versailles — Château de Pierrefonds
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — La Croix-Saint-Ouen
- "Das Jahr" · Tchaikovsky's The Seasons
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Vieux-Moulin
- Raphaël Feuillâtre (guitar) & Aurélien Pascal (cello); final concert and closing aperitif
The precise times and full locations of each concert are indicated on the official festival ticketing website.
Highlights Festival des Forêts 2026
- 34th edition on the theme "The Four Seasons without Vivaldi"
- 16 concerts and 6 musical forest baths
- 200 artists in 15 natural and heritage sites
- Headliners: Lucas Debargue, Quatuor Hermès, Orchestre de Picardie, Raphaël Feuillâtre
- Concerts at the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne and the Château de Pierrefonds
Prices Festival des Forêts 2026
Practical information — Festival des Forêts
Practical Information
Concert Venues
Fifteen remarkable natural sites in the forests of Compiègne and Laigue. The exact locations are communicated upon ticket purchase.
Access
By train: Compiègne station, direct connections from Paris-Nord (approx. 50 minutes).
By car: A1 motorway exit Compiègne. Parking lots are available near the concert venues.
Ticketing
Tickets available on the festival's official online ticketing service. Prices vary depending on the concert.
Tips
Bring footwear suitable for forest walking and comfortable clothing. Chairs and cushions are usually provided at the concert venues.
Contact
Website: festivaldesforets.fr
Accommodation
Numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses are available in the town and its surroundings. The local tourist office can help you find accommodation to suit your budget and needs. It is advisable to book in advance during the festival period, as accommodation can be in high demand.
Accessibility
The organizers strive to make the festival accessible to as many people as possible. People with reduced mobility are invited to contact the organization before the event to prepare their visit and benefit from the best possible reception conditions.
Families and children
The festival is suitable for families with children. Activities and dedicated areas are planned for the younger ones. Strollers are generally accepted on site, but it is advisable to check the access conditions according to the performance venues.
Learn more
For any additional information about the festival, its program, prices, and access conditions, do not hesitate to consult the event's official website or contact the organizers directly. The festival's social media channels regularly broadcast updated news and practical information.
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Where does it take place — Festival des Forêts
Forêts de Compiègne et de Laigue
2 rue du Général Bourcier, 60200 Compiègne, 60200 Compiègne