Beauvais International Cello Festival
The cello in the spotlight for over thirty years in Beauvais
About Beauvais Cello Festival
Since 1992, the Beauvais International Cello Festival has celebrated the cello in all its facets over ten days in May. This unique festival in France offers around twenty events combining solo recitals, chamber music, symphonic concerts, and contemporary creations. Concerts take place in exceptional heritage venues: Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, and MUDO-Musée de l'Oise.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Beauvais Cello Festival at the best price.
Sponsored link
A unique festival dedicated to the cello
The Beauvais International Cello Festival, created in 1992, is one of the few festivals in the world entirely devoted to the cello. For about ten days each spring, it brings together the greatest international cellists and promising young talents for a rich and varied program, ranging from the baroque repertoire to contemporary creations.
Exceptional heritage venues
Concerts are held in remarkable sites in Beauvais and its surroundings: the majestic Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, the Saint-Étienne Church, the MUDO-Musée de l'Oise, and the Rostropovitch Auditorium. This setting within Beauvais' heritage offers spectators a unique acoustic and visual experience.
An audacious program
Under the artistic direction of Diana Ligeti, the festival offers about twenty events per edition: solo recitals, chamber music, symphonic concerts, musical shows for young audiences, masterclasses, and artist meet-and-greets. The program skillfully blends repertoire masterpieces with contemporary creations and transdisciplinary projects combining music, dance, and visual arts.
Cultural and educational outreach
The festival develops a significant program of cultural outreach for school audiences and families. Participatory concerts, cello discovery workshops, and school interventions help introduce young people to classical music.
International reach
The Beauvais International Cello Festival is a member of the European Festivals Association and enjoys international recognition. It hosts artists from around the world each year and contributes to the cultural influence of the city of Beauvais and the Oise department.
Beauvais Cello Festival — edition 2026
34th edition of the Beauvais International Cello Festival, celebrating the 800th anniversary of Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel, a tribute to Brazil, and the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Twenty events under the artistic direction of Diana Ligeti.
34th Edition — May 29 to June 7, 2026
The 34th edition of the festival celebrates the 800th anniversary of Saint-Pierre Cathedral, pays tribute to Maurice Ravel on the 150th anniversary of his birth, honors Brazil, and commemorates the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Diana Ligeti offers about twenty events combining bonsai exhibitions, luthiery, Japanese prints, kimonos, and a parade titled 'Hagomoro'.
Highlights Beauvais Cello Festival 2026
- 800th anniversary of Saint-Pierre Cathedral
- Tribute to Maurice Ravel (150 years)
- Tribute to Brazil
- 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons
- Twenty events and 'Hagomoro' parade
Prices Beauvais Cello Festival 2026
Practical information — Beauvais Cello Festival
Practical Information
Concert Venues
Saint-Pierre Cathedral, rue Saint-Pierre, 60000 Beauvais. The world's tallest Gothic cathedral offers exceptional acoustics for symphonic concerts and recitals. Its majestic nave provides an incomparable setting for the cello, with natural resonance that enhances the instrument's sound.
Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, 203 rue de Paris, 60000 Beauvais. A former medieval hospital from the 12th century, listed as a historic monument, it hosts chamber music concerts in an intimate and warm atmosphere. Its gardens can also be used for open-air concerts.
Saint-Étienne Church, rue de Malherbe, 60000 Beauvais. A Romanesque and Gothic church with magnificent Renaissance stained glass windows, an ideal venue for intimate recitals and sacred music.
MUDO-Musée de l'Oise, 1 rue du Musée, 60000 Beauvais. The departmental museum offers concerts in its exhibition halls, creating an original dialogue between music and visual arts.
Rostropovitch Auditorium, Beauvais. A hall dedicated to chamber music, named in honor of the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.
Access
By train: Beauvais station, direct connections from Paris-Nord via TER Hauts-de-France (approx. 1h20). The station is a 15-minute walk from the city center and main concert venues.
By car: A16 motorway, Beauvais-Centre exit. Parking in the city center near the cathedral and the Maladrerie. From Paris, allow about 1h15 travel time.
By bus: Corolis network with lines serving the various festival venues in Beauvais.
Ticketing
Tickets available on the official festival website festivalvioloncellebeauvais.com and on the Billetweb platform. Many concerts are free and open to the public. Preferential rates for subscribers, students, and job seekers. Reservations recommended for concerts with limited capacity.
Accommodation
Beauvais has numerous hotels and guesthouses to welcome festival-goers. The Visit Beauvais tourist office can help organize your stay and direct you to accommodation near the concert venues.
Contact
Website: www.festivalvioloncellebeauvais.com
Facebook: Festival International de Violoncelle de Beauvais
Instagram: @festivalvioloncellebeauvais
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Beauvais Cello Festival at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Beauvais Cello Festival
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais
Rue Saint-Pierre, 60000 Beauvais