Festival du Souffle

Festival du Souffle: When Winds Blow Through the Royal Abbey

Since 2009, the Festival du Souffle has found its breath—literally—within the ancient stones of the Abbaye Royale de Celles-sur-Belle. Born from the passion of the Quatuor Ellipsos, an internationally renowned saxophone ensemble, this unique festival is one of the few in France to place wind instruments at the heart of its programming, offering the public a fascinating exploration of the sounds of the saxophone, clarinet, oboe, flute, and organ.

The festival is closely linked to the Académie Ellipsos-Eurasic, an international saxophone quartet academy held annually at the Royal Abbey. This dual purpose—festival and academy—creates a unique synergy: young saxophonists from the academy mingle with festival artists, and the public can attend masterclasses as well as concerts.

An Eclectic and Bold Program

The Festival du Souffle rejects genre boundaries. While the saxophone in all its forms (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) holds a prime position, the program broadly opens up to chamber music, organ recitals in the abbey church, shows for young audiences, and musical walks in the abbey gardens. Classical music, jazz, contemporary music, and original creations coexist in an atmosphere of curiosity and sharing.

The Academy: A Launchpad for Young Musicians

The Académie Ellipsos-Eurasic, which precedes and accompanies the festival, hosts young saxophonists from around the world each year for intensive work sessions, masterclasses, and concerts. This educational component is essential to the festival's identity, aiming to be a place for transmission and renewal of instrumental practice.

The Royal Abbey: A Jewel Box for Breath

The Abbaye Royale de Celles-sur-Belle, a 17th-century historic monument, provides an ideal architectural and acoustic setting for the festival. The abbey church, with its high vaults and natural resonance, enhances the powerful sounds of the organ and the varied timbres of wind instruments. The abbey gardens host musical walks and open-air concerts, creating a sonic journey between indoor and outdoor, intimacy and open air.

A Friendly and Accessible Festival

Driven by the association Posellis and a network of passionate volunteers, the Festival du Souffle cultivates a warm and accessible atmosphere. Concert tickets are moderately priced, some events are free, and the friendly ambiance of the festival invites discovery and sharing. The festival contributes to the cultural radiance of Celles-sur-Belle and the Haut Val de Sèvre, alongside other festivals that animate the Royal Abbey throughout the summer.