Festival International de Trompes de France
The grand international meeting for the hunting horn
2026
About Festival des Trompes
Festival des Trompes — edition 2026
The International Hunting Horn Festival of France brings together over 500 horn players on September 11, 12, and 13, 2026, in the grounds of the Château de Sully-sur-Loire. The International Federation of Hunting Horns of France (F.I.T.F.) returns to the site as part of the Fête de la Sange. On Friday evening, the Saint-Ythier church will host the grand opening concert, "Fantaisies du Sud-Ouest," performed by the ATSO horn players. Saturday and Sunday will feature the French and International championships, the F.I.T.F. Cup, and the traditional Saint-Hubert Mass.
The world's premier gathering for hunting horn enthusiasts
Organized by the International Federation of Hunting Horns of France (FITF), the International Hunting Horn Festival of France is the highlight of the horn-playing season. In 2026, it takes place from September 11 to 13 in Sully-sur-Loire, in the Loiret region. The event is once again part of the Fête de la Sange, the major nature, hunting, and fishing festival of the Val de Sully, which is celebrating its 29th anniversary with a special focus on the Savoie region.
An opening concert at Saint-Ythier Church
On Friday, September 11, the festival kicks off at 7:30 PM with a grand concert at the Saint-Ythier church in Sully-sur-Loire, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. The ATSO horn players will perform "Fantaisies du Sud-Ouest," a program marking the culmination of the association's 40th-anniversary project. Eighteen volunteer horn players will revive the spirit of the 1989 album "Sous les voûtes de Sylvanes," showcasing rare fanfares and songs from the Comminges to the Deux-Sèvres regions. A dinner will follow at 9:00 PM within the Fête de la Sange grounds (reservation required).
Two days of competitions in the castle park
On Saturday, September 12, individual events begin at 8:30 AM, including selections for the 1st to 5th categories, the Horn Player's Certificate, and events for beginners, "Louvarts," and veterans. The day builds momentum with the French Women's Championship at 4:30 PM, performing "La Louis Marie," followed by the evening highlights: the French Championship at 8:00 PM and the International Championship at 9:15 PM, featuring the required fanfare "La Rodrigue Léveillé," with the awards ceremony at 10:15 PM.
Sunday, September 13, is dedicated to group events: duo selections and finals in the morning, the trio competition at 1:30 PM performing "La Roger Pichenaud," and the F.I.T.F. Cup, with the final performed at 4:00 PM followed by the closing awards ceremony at 4:30 PM.
The Saint-Hubert Mass and the Fête de la Sange
On Sunday, September 13, at 11:00 AM, the Saint-Hubert Mass will be performed by all attending horn players, serving as the weekend's iconic centerpiece. Alongside the competitions, the Fête de la Sange will host around 150 exhibitors in the castle park, a large drag hunt demonstration with 150 hounds, canine and equestrian displays, a fireworks show on Saturday night, and numerous free activities for children, with an expected attendance of around 30,000 visitors.
Registration and information
Horn players must register for events via their member portal on fitf.org before midnight on September 1st; no registrations will be accepted after this date. The competition rules, the list of required fanfares, and the event schedule are available for download on the federation's website (the schedule is subject to change). For inquiries, contact the FITF secretariat at 02 38 77 08 56 or via email at [email protected].
Highlights Festival des Trompes 2026
- Friday, September 11 at 7:30 PM: Opening concert "Fantaisies du Sud-Ouest" by the ATSO horn players at Saint-Ythier Church
- Saturday, September 12 at 4:30 PM: French Women's Championship, semi-final and final performing "La Louis Marie"
- Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 PM and 9:15 PM: French Championship and International Championship in the castle park
- Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 AM: Saint-Hubert Mass performed by all attending horn players
- Sunday, September 13 at 4:00 PM: F.I.T.F. Cup final, followed by the closing awards ceremony
- Over 500 horn players expected for the 29th Fête de la Sange, with the Savoie region as the guest of honor
Programme Festival des Trompes 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026 — Saint-Ythier Church and Fête de la Sange site
- 6:30 PM — Doors open at Saint-Ythier Church
- 7:30 PM — Grand opening concert "Fantaisies du Sud-Ouest" by the ATSO horn players
- 9:00 PM — Dinner at the Fête de la Sange site (reservation required)
Saturday, September 12, 2026 — Château de Sully-sur-Loire park
- 8:30 AM — Selections for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th categories (required fanfares: "Le Rallye des Abois Joyeux," "La Plaine," "La Biche," "La Retraite Manquée") and Horn Player's Certificate
- 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM — Finals for 2nd, 4th, and 5th categories, Veterans event
- 2:00 PM — 3rd category final, Beginners event, and French Women's Championship selection
- 2:45 PM — 1st category selections (required fanfare: "La Rallye Armor") and category transitions
- 4:00 PM — Louvarts event
- 4:30 PM — French Women's Championship, semi-final and final (required fanfare: "La Louis Marie"), 1st category small final
- 5:30 PM — Afternoon awards ceremony
- 8:00 PM — French Championship
- 9:15 PM — International Championship (required fanfare: "La Rodrigue Léveillé")
- 10:15 PM — French and International Championship awards ceremony
Sunday, September 13, 2026 — Château de Sully-sur-Loire park
- 8:30 AM — Duo selections 1-2 ("Le Rallye Prieuré") and 3-4-5 ("La Retraite de Grâce"), Horn Player's Certificate
- 10:00 AM — Duo finals
- 11:00 AM — Saint-Hubert Mass performed by all attending horn players
- 1:30 PM — Trio event (required fanfare: "La Roger Pichenaud")
- 3:00 PM — F.I.T.F. Cup first round
- 4:00 PM — F.I.T.F. Cup final
- 4:30 PM — Closing awards ceremony
The event schedule is published by the FITF and is subject to change.
Prices Festival des Trompes 2026
Practical information — Festival des Trompes
Practical Information
A Changing Venue
The Festival International de Trompes de France is a traveling event: it was held in Saint-Martin-Valmeroux, in the Cantal, in 2023 and 2024, and in Sully-sur-Loire, in the Loiret, in 2025 and 2026. The location for the upcoming edition is announced on fitf.org.
Access for the 2026 Edition
The competitions take place in the park of the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, at Chemin de la Salle Verte, 45600 Sully-sur-Loire, approximately 45 km from Orléans and 150 km from Paris, on the site of the Fête de la Sange. The opening concert on Friday evening takes place at the Saint-Ythier church in the town center. Free parking is available on-site.
Schedule
- Friday: Doors open for the concert at 6:30 PM, concert at 7:30 PM, dinner at 9:00 PM
- Saturday: Individual events from 8:30 AM, French and International championships in the evening
- Sunday: Duo and trio events from 8:30 AM, Saint-Hubert Mass at 11:00 AM, F.I.T.F. Cup final in the afternoon
Catering
Dinner by reservation on Friday evening following the opening concert; catering without reservation available Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.
Event Registration
Horn players register via their member portal on fitf.org. Registration closes in early September, and no entries can be accepted after this date. The competition rules, the list of set fanfares, and the event schedule can be downloaded from the federation's website.
Contact
Fédération Internationale des Trompes de France, 19 rue de Patay, 45000 Orléans — +33 (0)2 38 77 08 56, [email protected]. The office is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
The Festival International de Trompes de France: A World-Class Gathering
Every year, the hunting horn has its own major event: the Festival International de Trompes de France, organized by the Fédération Internationale des Trompes de France (FITF). The festival brings together nearly 500 horn players from all over France and abroad for three days of competitions, concerts, and traditions.
A Traveling Festival
The international festival changes host cities with each edition, as the FITF entrusts it to its regional delegations in turn: Le Neubourg in the Eure in 1986, Lamotte-Beuvron in Sologne in 2016, Saint-Martin-Valmeroux in the Cantal in 2023 and 2024, and since 2025, Sully-sur-Loire in the Loiret, where it takes place as part of the Fête de la Sange, the major nature, hunting, and fishing festival of the Val de Sully. It is therefore wise to check the location of the current edition on fitf.org before traveling.
A Centuries-Old Tradition Supported by the FITF
The FITF, founded in 1928 as the "Fédération des Trompes de France," became the "Fédération Internationale des Trompes de France" in 1965. It brings together thousands of horn players, musical groups, and enthusiasts to practice, promote, and preserve the hunting horn, an iconic instrument of French cultural heritage recognized as intangible cultural heritage. The international festival is the federation's flagship event, gathering the best players in a friendly, rural setting.
A Rich and Varied Program
The festival takes place over a full weekend, structured around several highlights:
- The opening concert: On Friday evening, a grand concert inaugurates the festival, often held in a church or a historic building in the host city, followed by a dinner by reservation.
- The championships: Saturday is dedicated to the selection rounds and finals of individual events, category by category, with set fanfares, followed by the Women's French Championship, the French Championship, and the International Championship in the evening.
- Group events: Sunday features duos, trios, and the F.I.T.F. Cup, the final of which closes the festival.
- The Saint-Hubert Mass: On Sunday morning at 11:00 AM, a solemn mass is celebrated in honor of Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters, performed by all the horn players present.
- The exhibitor village: Throughout the weekend, a dedicated area offers stands related to hunting, venery, instrument making, and rural traditions.
International Reach
The Festival International de Trompes de France attracts players and enthusiasts from all over Europe and beyond: groups from Belgium, Germany, Italy, and other European countries compete in the international championship, a highlight of Saturday evening. For one weekend, the host city becomes the world capital of the hunting horn.
A Friendly and Accessible Event
The festival is open to everyone: competitions and activities can be attended freely once on-site, with only the opening concert and meals requiring tickets. Catering is available on-site all weekend, and the full program, prices, and registration details for the events are published annually on fitf.org.
Where does it take place — Festival des Trompes
Festival des Trompes in brief
Other festivals near Saint-Martin-Valmeroux
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