Festival du Haut Limousin

The Festival du Haut Limousin: classical music in a heritage setting

Founded in 1999 on the initiative of the tourist offices of northern Haute-Vienne and conductor Wim Baarens, the Festival du Haut Limousin has established itself as one of the major classical music events in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Since 2001, conductor Jérôme Kaltenbach, grandson of the founder of the Ferme de Villefavard, has been its artistic director, infusing it with ever-renewed ambition, blending musical excellence and conviviality.

The Ferme de Villefavard: an exceptional venue

At the heart of this festival is a unique place: the Ferme de Villefavard, a former model farm built in the 19th century by the Protestant pastor Édouard Maury. In 2001, Jérôme Kaltenbach and the architect-inventor Gilles Ebersolt undertook its rehabilitation to make it an artistic meeting center. The barn was transformed into an auditorium with remarkable acoustics, designed by acoustician Albert Yaying Xu. The site obtained the prestigious Centre culturel de rencontre label in 2022, testifying to its cultural influence.

A program between tradition and boldness

The festival's program covers a wide repertoire: baroque, classical, romantic music, chamber music, jazz, and contemporary creations. Renowned international soloists and ensembles perform alongside young talents discovered through a mentoring program associating emerging artists and established musicians. The festival has notably showcased Nemanja Radulovic, Lise de la Salle, and the Quatuor Ébène, and hosted masters such as Pierre Amoyal and Ivry Gitlis.

Musical walks and heritage

One of the hallmarks of the Festival du Haut Limousin lies in its musical walks, free and open to all. These twilight hikes lead walkers through forests, meadows, and old washhouses, punctuated by musical stops in the heart of nature. The festival also takes over the Romanesque churches, collegiate churches, and chapels of the region, such as the Collégiale Saint-Pierre du Dorat or the churches of Mortemart, Compreignac, and Châteauponsac, offering a striking dialogue between music and built heritage.

Conviviality and encounters

Beyond the concerts, the Festival du Haut Limousin cultivates the art of encounter. The guinguette evenings offer a dialogue between music and poetry, while farm dinners and tastings of local Limousin products extend the experience in a warm atmosphere. Free for under-16s, the festival is open to all audiences and culturally enriches over 70 towns in northern Haute-Vienne.