Festival Piano Pic
Piano festival-academy at the foot of the Pic du Midi
About Piano Pic
A piano festival at the summit
Born in 1997 from the will of two musician friends, pianist Pierre Réach and cellist Christophe Baillet, the Festival Piano Pic has established itself as one of the main classical music festivals in the Occitanie region. The adventure began with a historic concert at the summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 2,800 meters altitude, on a grand piano transported by helicopter. This founding act gave birth to the György Sebök Academy and then to the festival, initially named "Piano aux Pyrénées" before adopting the name "Piano Pic" in 2006.
Concerts in exceptional heritage sites
Every late July, the festival unfolds its program in the heritage sites of the Haut-Adour and Gaves valleys: the Temple of Bagnères, the churches of Campan, Gerde and Baudéan, the Palmarium of the Grands Thermes in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and the majestic Abbey of l'Escaladieu. These historically rich places offer remarkable acoustics and an inspiring setting for both performers and the audience.
World-renowned pianists and instrumentalists
Each year, the festival hosts world-renowned pianists and instrumentalists. The program combines solo piano recitals, chamber music, and symphonic evenings with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse and the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse. Each edition offers about fifteen concerts, providing a rich panorama of the classical and romantic repertoire.
A training festival-academy
Beyond the concerts, Piano Pic is also a high-level music training academy. The György Sebök Academy, named after the great Hungarian pianist who inspired the founders, welcomes young talents from around the world for masterclasses and intensive training. The Orchestra Academy forms a temporary symphony orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique des Pyrénées, which gives two concerts during the festival, allowing young musicians to perform alongside seasoned soloists.
Piano Pic — edition 2026
29th edition of the Festival Piano Pic, from July 13 to 25, 2026, in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and in the valleys of Haut-Adour and Gaves (Hautes-Pyrénées). Sixteen piano and chamber music concerts in exceptional heritage sites, with David Lively, Aline Piboule, the Trio Pascal, the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse, André Manoukian and Jean-François Zygel.
29th edition: July 13 to 25, 2026
The Festival Piano Pic returns for its 29th edition from July 13 to 25, 2026 in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and in the valleys of Haut-Adour and Gaves. Under the artistic direction of Christophe Baillet and Pierre Reach, the festival offers sixteen piano and chamber music concerts in the heritage sites of the Pyrenees: Halle aux Grains and Temple de Bagnères, churches of Campan, Gerde and Barèges, Abbaye de l'Escaladieu, as well as concerts in Argelès-Gazost, Cauterets and at the summit of the Pic du Midi.
The 2026 edition also offers four free "Conc'Airs" on the médiathèque square in Bagnères, featuring promising young pianists (Fabien Parisato, William Winterstin, Elizaveta Frolova) and the show "Attracteurs étranges" by musician Carole Anne Subrebost and soprano Gala Damen.
Programme Piano Pic 2026
Monday, July 13, 2026 — Opening Concert
- Pascal Amoyel — "A piano lesson with Chopin" · Halle aux Grains, Bagnères-de-Bigorre
Friday, July 17, 2026 — Symphonic Evening
- Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse, with pianist François Dumont
Saturday, July 18, 2026
- André Manoukian & Jean-François Zygel — improvised piano "duel"
Friday, July 24, 2026 — Chamber Music
- Le Trio Pascal — Schubert, Suk and Ravel
Saturday, July 25, 2026 — Closing
- "At the end of the rainbow", a tribute to Marilyn Monroe — Laure Favre-Kahn (piano) and Alain Carré
Recitals and other events
- Solo recitals: David Lively, Jorge Gonzalez Buajasan, Aline Piboule, Vardan Mamikonian, Jiaxin Min — in various heritage sites in the valleys
- Four free "Conc'Airs", médiathèque square in Bagnères: Fabien Parisato, William Winterstin, Elizaveta Frolova, and the show "Attracteurs étranges" (Carole Anne Subrebost & Gala Damen)
Highlights Piano Pic 2026
- 16 piano and chamber music concerts in the Pyrenees
- Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse (July 17)
- Improvised duel André Manoukian & Jean-François Zygel (July 18)
- Concert at the summit of the Pic du Midi
- 4 free "Conc'Airs" in the city center
Prices Piano Pic 2026
Practical information — Piano Pic
Practical Information
Access
Bagnères-de-Bigorre is located in the Hautes-Pyrénées (65), 20 km south of Tarbes.
- By car: From Tarbes, follow the D935 towards Bagnères-de-Bigorre (about 25 minutes).
- By train: Tarbes station then bus connection.
Contact
- Phone: 05 62 95 08 05
- Website: www.piano-pic.fr
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Where does it take place — Piano Pic
Temple de Bagnères, Abbaye de l'Escaladieu et lieux patrimoniaux
Mairie, place des Vignaux, 65200 Bagnères-de-Bigorre, 65200 Bagnères-de-Bigorre