Les Chaises Musicales Festival

Les Chaises Musicales: Chamber Music at the Heart of Romanesque Heritage

Since 2008, the Les Chaises Musicales festival has transformed the Romanesque church of Vicq-sur-Gartempe into an exceptional musical jewel box each summer. Born from the meeting between passionate music lovers and a promising young string quartet, the Ébène Quartet, this event has become one of the unmissable chamber music gatherings in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

A Story of Loyalty and Passion

It all began in 2003 when the Ébène Quartet, then at the beginning of their career, agreed to perform in the small church of Vicq-sur-Gartempe. Charmed by the warm welcome and the exceptional acoustics of the place, the musicians proposed to go further by creating a real three-day festival. The association Au Fil des Ondes was founded in 2007 and organized the first edition of Les Chaises Musicales in 2008, under the artistic direction of the quartet and its cellist Raphaël Merlin.

An Original Artistic Concept

True to the open-minded spirit of the Ébène Quartet, the festival weaves connections between classical music, jazz, and world music. Each edition invites leading artists—soloists, singers, instrumentalists—to share the stage with the quartet for inventive and accessible programs. The concerts take place in the Romanesque churches of the Gartempe valley, particularly in Vicq-sur-Gartempe and Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé, chosen for their superior acoustic quality.

A Human-Scale Festival

With three days of concerts in August, Les Chaises Musicales cultivates an intimate and warm atmosphere. Artists share special moments with a passionate audience in the green countryside of Vienne. The festival is part of the Résonances de Gartempe network, which unites classical music festivals along the Gartempe river, contributing to the cultural and tourist radiance of this rural territory.