Festival of Sacred Arts of Évron
Festival of sacred music at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Épine of Évron
About Sacred Arts of Évron
Festival of Sacred Arts of Évron: Sacred Music in a Heritage Setting
Since 2004, the Festival of Sacred Arts of Évron has hosted the greatest international ensembles of classical, baroque, and traditional music each early July in the exceptional setting of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Épine. Created to reintroduce the public to the remarkable heritage of this Romanesque and Gothic basilica, the festival has become, over more than twenty editions, a key musical and cultural event in Mayenne and the Pays de la Loire region.
A Program Open to All Expressions of the Sacred
The Festival of Sacred Arts is distinguished by a resolutely eclectic program, embracing all forms of sacred expression across cultures and centuries. From medieval Gregorian chant to Renaissance polyphony, from the baroque repertoire of Vivaldi, Bach, or Monteverdi to Sufi, Orthodox, or Celtic musical traditions, each edition offers a journey through nearly a thousand years of musical tradition. The most prestigious ensembles have performed on the festival stage: Le Concert Spirituel conducted by Hervé Niquet, Jordi Savall, Voces8, Tenebrae Choir, Les Arts Florissants, The Gesualdo Six, Canticum Novum, L'Alba, Il Caravaggio, and the Ensemble De Caelis.
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Épine: An Exceptional Venue
The Évron basilica, a listed historic monument, offers the festival a remarkable acoustic and architectural setting. A major edifice of Mayenne's religious heritage, the basilica combines Romanesque elements from the 11th century with a Gothic nave from the 13th century, creating an atmosphere conducive to reflection and listening. The natural acoustics of the nave enhance ancient voices and instruments, transforming each concert into a unique immersive experience.
Beyond Music: Exhibitions, Conferences, and Meetings
The festival is not limited to concerts. Each edition offers a complementary program of exhibitions, conferences, and meetings with artists. In 2025, the exhibition "Arabesques" offered an unprecedented virtual reality immersion into the links between architectural ornamentation, spirituality, and music, presented at the Salle du Temple. The festival also hosts an Academy for young musicians, contributing to the transmission and renewal of sacred repertoires.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
Supported by the City of Évron under the artistic direction of Emmanuel d'Erceville, the Festival of Sacred Arts benefits from the support of the Tourist Office of Sainte-Suzanne – Les Coëvrons and numerous local partners. Catering and accommodation options are available for festival-goers: local Mayenne cuisine at L'Atelier du Vieux Moulin, complimentary refreshments at festival partners, and discounts at the hotel-restaurant Le Relais du Gué de Selle in Mézangers. A Berber tent set up on the basilica's forecourt welcomes spectators for a convivial moment before and after concerts.
Sacred Arts of Évron — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of the Évron Sacred Arts Festival takes place from July 3 to 8, 2026 at the Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine, on the theme of « Roots ». Seven ensembles explore nearly a thousand years of musical tradition, from the Middle Ages to contemporary creation, concluding with the famous Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips.
23rd Edition — July 3 to 8, 2026
The 23rd edition of the Évron Sacred Arts Festival takes place from July 3 to 8, 2026 in the Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine, centered around the theme « Roots ». For six days, seven ensembles explore transmission, lineages, and spiritual foundations that nourish sacred artistic expression, from medieval chant to Renaissance polyphonies, from baroque to gospel repertoire.
An International and Eclectic Program
The festival's opening, on Friday, July 3, is entrusted to the Ensemble Coruscant with a gospel program. Saturday, July 4, is a double day with Matica de Flor in the afternoon (Sephardic music) and the Spanish ensemble Cantoría in the evening (Renaissance polyphony). On Sunday, July 5, the Gospel Academy launched in Évron performs in the late afternoon, followed in the evening by the baroque ensemble Les Surprises. On Monday, July 6, the Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble Volubilis presents a baroque and classical program. Tuesday, July 7 is dedicated to the Kapsber'girls, a remarkable young female baroque ensemble. The closing, on Wednesday, July 8, is entrusted to Peter Phillips' Tallis Scholars, one of the absolute world references in Renaissance polyphony, in a program that transports festival-goers to the heart of Rome and the Sistine Chapel.
Beyond the Concerts
As every year, the festival also offers an exhibition, original creations, meetings with artists, and the Festival Academy for young musicians. The Gospel Academy, newly launched in Évron, is dedicated to American Black music and performs at the Auditorium Jacques Lanoë.
Programme Sacred Arts of Évron 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Ensemble Coruscant · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Opening concert, gospel program
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- 2:30 PM — Matica de Flor · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Sephardic music
- 9:00 PM — Cantoría · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Renaissance polyphony (Spanish ensemble)
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Gospel Academy · Auditorium Jacques Lanoë — Gospel academy dedicated to American Black music
- 9:00 PM — Les Surprises · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Baroque ensemble
Monday, July 6, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental Volubilis · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Baroque and classical program
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Kapsber'girls · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Female baroque ensemble
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- 9:00 PM — The Tallis Scholars (directed by Peter Phillips) · Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine — Closing concert, Renaissance polyphony, program « in the heart of Rome and the Sistine Chapel »
Highlights Sacred Arts of Évron 2026
- Closing concert by Peter Phillips' The Tallis Scholars, a world reference in Renaissance polyphony
- 2026 Theme: « Roots » — transmission and lineages in sacred music
- Launch of the Évron Gospel Academy, dedicated to American Black music
- Seven international ensembles in the Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine, a historic monument with millennial vaults
- Exhibition, original creations, and artist meetings throughout the six days
Prices Sacred Arts of Évron 2026
Practical information — Sacred Arts of Évron
Access and Venue
The Festival of Sacred Arts takes place at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Épine, Place de la Basilique, 53600 Évron (Mayenne).
By car: Évron is located 30 km east of Laval, accessible via the D57 or D7. Free parking near the basilica.
By train: Évron station (TER line Le Mans – Laval). The basilica is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Prices
- Individual concert: €20 in advance / €23 on-site
- Reduced rate (ages 12-25, unemployed, low-income): €5
- Free: children under 12 years old
- Pass Prem's (all concerts): €92.50
- Festival Academy: €65
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on the official website festival.evron.fr and at the Tourist Office of Sainte-Suzanne – Les Coëvrons, Évron information office, Place de la Basilique, 53600 Évron.
By phone reservation: 02 43 01 63 75 (Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM and 2:00 PM-5:30 PM).
Information
Tourist Office of Sainte-Suzanne – Les Coëvrons:
- Phone: 02 43 01 43 60
- Email: [email protected]
- Postal address: 1 rue Jean de Bueil, 53270 Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes
Heritage Outreach Service – City of Évron:
- Director: Emmanuel d'Erceville
- Address: Rue de Saulgé, 53600 Évron
- Phone: 02 43 66 32 00
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:30 PM-5:30 PM
Food and Accommodation
During the festival, several partners welcome festival-goers:
- L'Atelier du Vieux Moulin (chef Benoît Flipot): local Mayenne cuisine, reservations recommended
- Le Relais du Gué de Selle (Mézangers): 20% discount on accommodation during the festival
- Berber tent on the basilica's forecourt: refreshments and conviviality
Complimentary refreshments at partners: Crêperie La Hulotte, M Burger, Caf & Couette (Sainte-Suzanne).
Accessibility
The basilica is accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any specific requests, please contact the Tourist Office.
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Where does it take place — Sacred Arts of Évron
Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine
Place de la Basilique, 53600 Évron