Festival Musicancy
Baroque and classical chamber music in the heart of a Renaissance castle
About Musicancy
The Musicancy Festival: Twenty Years of Musical Excellence in Burgundy
Founded in 2004 on the initiative of artists and music lovers passionate about Burgundian heritage, the Musicancy Festival has established itself over two decades as one of the most unique events for early music in France. Its concept is unique: concert-tours allow the public to wander through the historic rooms of the Château d'Ancy-le-Franc — this jewel of the Italian Renaissance built in the 16th century for Antoine de Clermont — while listening to chamber music concerts of rare quality.
Each summer, from June to September, the castle comes alive to the rhythm of baroque and classical music. The courtyards, painted galleries, French gardens, and grand salons adorned with frescoes by Nicolo dell'Abbate and Primaticcio become living screens onto which early music projects its shadows and lights. The marriage of Renaissance architecture and baroque repertoire creates a striking synergy, offering spectators an extraordinary musical and heritage experience.
A Demanding and Diverse Program
Under the artistic direction of Fannie Vernaz, president and artistic director since January 2022, the Musicancy Festival offers a carefully constructed program each year that balances major masterpieces of the baroque and classical repertoire, new creations, and discoveries. The artistic line is based on a balance between established ensembles of international renown and emerging young artists, in a spirit of transmission and sharing.
Over the years, the festival has hosted the biggest names in French and international baroque music: Ensemble Correspondances directed by Sébastien Daucé, Ensemble Gli Incogniti of Amandine Beyer, harpsichordist Benjamin Alard, mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot, Ensemble Masques under the direction of Olivier Fortin, violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte, and Ensemble Le Consort. These artists proudly represent historically informed performance while infusing rare vitality and freshness into centuries-old repertoires.
Inventive Formats for All Audiences
The festival doesn't just offer traditional seated concerts. Several original formats punctuate each edition:
- Concert-tours: The festival's signature format, where spectators explore the castle's apartments accompanied by live music.
- La Nuit Merveilleuse: A nocturnal concert in the castle's illuminated gardens and rooms, blending music, storytelling, and poetic wandering.
- Promenades musicales: Intimate encounters in the castle park, with small ensembles.
- Le Musicancy Jazz Club: An opening to jazz, in the convivial spirit of 18th-century chamber evenings.
- Educational activities: Workshops and public rehearsals for children, school groups, and families, with the active participation of choristers and students from local schools.
The Château d'Ancy-le-Franc: An Incomparable Renaissance Setting
Built between 1546 and 1583 from plans by Sebastiano Serlio for Antoine de Clermont, the Château d'Ancy-le-Franc is considered one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance architecture outside of Italy. Classified as a historic monument, it houses an exceptional collection of frescoes and murals by artists from the School of Fontainebleau. Its sober and rigorous facades, its sumptuous interiors adorned with stucco and paintings, its French gardens, and its park bordering the Burgundy Canal make it a must-visit site in the Yonne region.
It is in this exceptional architectural setting, a few kilometers from Tonnerre and an hour from Dijon, that the Musicancy Festival unfolds its program each summer. The relationship between the place and the music is not coincidental: the baroque and classical repertoires, contemporary to the castle's heyday, resonate within its walls with an authenticity and depth that few other stages can offer.
Local Roots and National Reach
The Musicancy Festival is deeply rooted in the cultural life of the Yonne and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions. It benefits from the support of the municipality of Ancy-le-Franc, the Department of Yonne, the Region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and the DRAC. Its influence extends far beyond local borders, attracting music lovers and tourists from all over France and abroad, thus contributing to the tourist and cultural dynamism of the Tonnerrois region.
With its 23rd edition in 2026, the Musicancy Festival confirms its place as an unmissable event of the baroque summer in Burgundy, combining artistic excellence, accessibility for all, and an exceptional heritage setting.
Musicancy — edition 2026
23rd Edition — Between Baroque, Dance, and Jazz
For its 23rd edition, the Musicancy Festival offers a particularly rich and eclectic season, from July 15 to September 27, 2026, at the Château d'Ancy-le-Franc. Eight events punctuate the summer, with the common thread being the vitality of past musical languages revisited with a contemporary sensibility.
Ensemble Le Consort is the ensemble in residence for July 2026, confirming the close ties forged between the festival and this young French ensemble, which has become a reference in baroque chamber music. Alongside Le Consort, renowned ensembles and artists will take over the magical spaces of the castle.
Program 2026
- “Destinies” (Ensemble Le Consort) — chamber music featuring female composers of the 17th and 18th centuries.
- “Baroque Dance: A Whole Story!” — concert-conference and ball exploring the links between baroque music and dance.
- “The Triumphant Cello” — baroque cello recital with an original program.
- “Vivaldi and Venice” — the most beautiful pages of the Red Priest, a journey into the heart of 18th-century Venice.
- “Bach, Between Heaven and Earth” (Ensemble Masques, Olivier Fortin) — three major Bach cantatas (BWV 34, 80 and 81).
- “Canto — Musicancy Jazz Club #1” (Matthieu Chazarenc quartet) — premiere of the festival's new jazz format.
- “The Marvelous Night #3” — a nocturnal and poetic stroll through the illuminated spaces of the castle.
- “Viva la Gracia!” (Ensemble Alkymia) — between 17th-century sacred music and contemporary influences.
Tickets are available on the official festival website. Advance booking is highly recommended, as the castle's capacity is limited to a few dozen spectators per concert.
Programme Musicancy 2026
Program 2026 — 23rd edition
- Wed. July 15, 8 PM — “Destinies”: Ensemble Le Consort (ensemble in residence), chamber music featuring female composers of the 17th and 18th centuries, in the castle's Cour d'honneur.
- Thu. July 16, 2 PM & 4 PM — “Baroque Dance: A Whole Story!”: conference and baroque ball (demonstration and public participation).
- Thu. July 16, 8 PM — “The Triumphant Cello”: baroque cello recital with an original program.
- Fri. July 17, 8 PM — “Vivaldi and Venice”: a journey into the heart of 18th-century Venice.
- Thu. July 23, 8 PM — “Bach, Between Heaven and Earth”: Ensemble Masques, dir. Olivier Fortin, three cantatas by J.-S. Bach (BWV 34, 80 and 81).
- Sat. August 1, 8 PM — “Canto — Musicancy Jazz Club #1”: Matthieu Chazarenc quartet, the first installment of the festival's new jazz format.
- Tue. August 4, 8 PM — “The Marvelous Night #3”: a nocturnal and poetic stroll through the illuminated castle (Myriam Rignol, Julien Wolfs, Pierre Deschamps).
- Sun. September 27, 5 PM — “Viva la Gracia!”: Ensemble Alkymia, 17th-century sacred music and contemporary influences.
Location: Château d'Ancy-le-Franc (89160). Prices: 25 € full / 17 € reduced for a single concert; 28 € / 20 € with castle visit; free for children under 12. Reservations on the official website.
Prices Musicancy 2026
Practical information — Musicancy
Practical Information
Location
Château d'Ancy-le-Franc
18, place Clermont-Tonnerre
89160 Ancy-le-Franc
Access
By car: Ancy-le-Franc is located about 45 km southeast of Auxerre and 60 km northwest of Dijon. From the A6 motorway (Paris-Lyon), take the Nitry/Avallon exit then join Tonnerre (D944), then Ancy-le-Franc (D905, 15 km). From Dijon, take the direction of Montbard then Tonnerre (D905). Parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the castle.
By train: The nearest station is Tonnerre (Paris-Lyon line via Laroche-Migennes, about 1h30 from Paris-Bercy). From Tonnerre, Ancy-le-Franc is 15 km away (taxi or bicycle along the Burgundy Canal). Auxerre-Saint-Gervais station is 45 km away (TER line from Paris-Bercy).
By bike: The castle is accessible via the Burgundy Canal cycle route, a marked route connecting Migennes to Dijon along the canal.
Concert Ticket Prices
- Concert only — full price: €25
- Concert only — reduced price: €17
- Concert + Castle Visit — full price: €28
- Concert + Castle Visit — reduced price: €20
- Musical walk in the park: €15 (full) / €11 (reduced)
- Children under 12: free
Reduced price available for large families, students aged 12 to 26, job seekers, people with disabilities, and groups of 10 or more.
Ticketing
Online booking at musicancy.org/reservations (ticketing open from May) or by phone at 06 25 52 27 87. Booking is highly recommended as castle capacity is limited.
Practical Advice
- Bring clothing suitable for cool evenings (outdoor concerts can be chilly in the evening, even in summer).
- Evening concerts usually start at 8:00 PM or 8:30 PM; afternoon concerts at 5:00 PM.
- Arriving 30 minutes before the concert is advised to enjoy the castle visit before the performance.
- The castle has a café-restaurant open during visiting hours.
- Accommodation is available in Ancy-le-Franc and surrounding towns (Tonnerre, Tanlay, Saint-Florentin).
Contact
Association Musicancy
11, place Clermont-Tonnerre — 89160 Ancy-le-Franc
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 06 25 52 27 87
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Where does it take place — Musicancy
Château d'Ancy-le-Franc
18 place Clermont-Tonnerre, 89160 Ancy-le-Franc