Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot
Historic organ recitals in the Souvigny priory church
About Orgue Clicquot Souvigny
A jewel of French organ building
The Souvigny organ is the work of François-Henri Clicquot, organ builder to King Louis XVI. Built in his Parisian workshops in 1782, it was installed and put into service in the priory church in 1783, as attested by two original inscriptions discovered in 1963 in the trackers of the pedalboard and positive. With its 28 stops spread over 3 manual keyboards and a French-style pedalboard, this instrument is considered one of the masterpieces of French classical organ building. It is one of the only two surviving examples of this brilliant builder's work in an almost original condition. The instrumental part was classified as a Historic Monument on December 22, 1947, and the case on May 23, 1975.
The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul priory church
The Clicquot organ thrives in an exceptional architectural setting: the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul priory church, the largest religious building in the Allier department. Attached to the powerful Abbey of Cluny, this priory church is one of the few churches with a double transept in France. Its remarkable acoustics offer organ recitals ideal resonance, allowing full appreciation of the instrument's harmonic richness and sound balance.
A festival driven by volunteer passion
The Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot is organized by the association Les Amis de l'Orgue Clicquot de Souvigny (AOCS), created in 2018, in partnership with Art Culture et Foi. The association is dedicated to implementing protective measures and promoting the Clicquot organ. The festival is part of this mission by offering a series of recitals each summer that allow the public to discover the exceptional sounds of this three-hundred-year-old instrument.
Recitals between tradition and modernity
The festival's program highlights the organ alone or in duo with other instruments: sackbut, baroque violin, cornetto, flute, clarinet, percussion, or even theremin. Renowned national and international organists take turns at the instrument's console, offering a repertoire ranging from French baroque music to contemporary creations. Each concert is an invitation to discover the multiple facets of this organ, a true model of balance and elegance illustrating the classical spirit of 18th-century organ building.
Free admission for all
True to its mission of sharing and transmission, the festival offers free admission with voluntary contributions. No reservations are necessary. Concerts are generally held on Sundays in May for the opening concert, then on Saturdays and Sundays in August in the evenings. Each recital is an opportunity to experience a unique musical moment in the majestic setting of the Souvigny priory church.
Orgue Clicquot Souvigny — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot takes place from April 26th to August 9th, 2026, in the priory church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Souvigny. Centered around the François-Henri Clicquot organ from 1783, classified as a Historic Monument, the season opens with a grand spring concert "choirs and organ" and continues with a series of summer recitals. Free admission, voluntary contribution.
Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot — 2026 Edition
For this 2026 edition, the association Amis de l'Orgue Clicquot de Souvigny (AOCS), in partnership with Art Culture et Foi, offers a season of recitals extending from spring to summer in the priory church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul. The François-Henri Clicquot organ from 1783, one of the rare instruments by this great builder preserved in a state close to its original, is highlighted either alone or in dialogue with other instruments and voices.
The season begins on Sunday, April 26th, 2026, at 4:00 PM with a grand spring concert "choirs and organ" bringing together the Chœur Symphonia (65 choristers under the direction of Yannick Berne), organist Octavian Saunier, and the Intermezzo ensemble, with the participation of Jean-Luc Perrot, titular organist of Souvigny. It continues in summer with a harmonium, flute, and voice concert on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, at 7:30 PM, followed by a series of four recitals on the weekends of August 1st-2nd and 8th-9th, 2026, at 7:00 PM, given during the medieval festival of Souvigny.
All concerts have free admission, with voluntary contribution. No reservation is necessary for the summer recitals; the opening concert may require prior reservation.
Programme Orgue Clicquot Souvigny 2026
Sunday, April 26th, 2026 — 4:00 PM
Grand spring concert "choirs and organ" at the Souvigny priory: Chœur Symphonia (65 choristers, directed by Yannick Berne), Octavian Saunier (organ) and the Intermezzo ensemble, with the participation of Jean-Luc Perrot. Works by Purcell, Bach, Gallus, Brosig, and Mendelssohn.
Thursday, July 16th, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Harmonium, flute, and voice concert with Francesco and Sarah-Marie Chigioni.
Saturday, August 1st, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Suzanne Trouilleux and Gilles Peseyre (trumpets), Jean-Luc Perrot (organ).
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Céline Laly (soprano), Michel Alabau (organ).
Saturday, August 8th, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Benoît Zimmermann (organ), from Payerne (Switzerland).
Sunday, August 9th, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Françoise Masset (soprano), Pascal Marsault (organ).
Highlights Orgue Clicquot Souvigny 2026
- Season from April 26th to August 9th, 2026, in the priory church of Souvigny
- François-Henri Clicquot organ from 1783, classified as a Historic Monument
- Grand opening concert "choirs and organ" with the Chœur Symphonia (65 choristers)
- Summer recitals in duo (trumpets, soprano, flute, harmonium)
- Free admission, voluntary contribution
Prices Orgue Clicquot Souvigny 2026
Practical information — Orgue Clicquot Souvigny
Practical Information
Access
The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul priory church is located at Place Aristide Briand, 03210 Souvigny, in the Allier department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- By car: Souvigny is about 13 km west of Moulins via the D945. Free parking near the church.
- By train: Moulins-sur-Allier station (Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line). Bus or taxi connection.
Schedule
- Opening concert in May: Sunday at 5:00 PM
- August concerts: Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00 PM
Prices
- Free admission, voluntary contributions
- No reservation required
Accessibility
- Accessibility for people with reduced mobility upon request
Contact
- Association: Amis de l'Orgue Clicquot de Souvigny (AOCS)
- Website: www.amisorgueclicquotsouvigny.com
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Orgue Clicquot Souvigny
Église prieurale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
Place Aristide Briand, 03210 Souvigny