Arbois International Organ Festival

An Exceptional Organ Heritage

In the heart of the wine-growing town of Arbois, the Saint-Just church houses a rare musical treasure: the Marin Carouge organ, built in 1728. This historic instrument, carefully restored, is the jewel around which the Arbois International Organ Festival has shone for over twenty years. Every summer, under the ancient vaults of the building, organists from all over Europe make this exceptional sound heritage vibrate.

A Festival of European Renown

Founded in 2001 by the association Orgue et Musiques en Arbois, the festival has acquired an international reputation in the world of the organ over the years. The greatest names in organ performance have played under the vaults of Saint-Just, attracted by the acoustic quality of the place and the unique character of the Marin Carouge instrument.

A Rich and Accessible Program

Each edition offers five Sunday concerts from mid-July to mid-August, providing a varied musical panorama:

• Solo organ recitals: works by Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin, Franck, or Messiaen performed by international virtuosos.
• Four-hand concerts: original programs highlighting the dialogue between two organists on the same instrument.
• Instrumental dialogues: the organ in conversation with trumpet, flute, oboe, cello, or solo voice.
• Contemporary creation: commissions and first performances that enrich the organ repertoire.

A Free and Friendly Event

True to its mission of sharing and accessibility, the festival is entirely free, with listeners free to make a donation at the exit of the concert. This generous philosophy allows a wide audience to discover the richness of the organ repertoire in an exceptional heritage setting. The concerts are followed by a friendly moment where the public can interact with the artists.

Arbois, Land of Culture and Wine

The festival is part of the cultural dynamism of Arbois, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur and the capital of Jura wines. Visitors can combine musical pleasure with oenological discovery, by visiting the numerous wine estates of the Arbois AOC appellation open during the summer.