Festival Saint-Bénigne

Festival Saint-Bénigne: Sacred Music at the Heart of Pontarlier

Since 1978, the Association des amis de l'orgue of Pontarlier has been organizing the Festival Saint-Bénigne, a cycle of summer concerts in the majestic setting of the Saint-Bénigne church. This festival pays tribute to the city's musical and architectural heritage, highlighting the grand historical organ, a jewel of Pontarlier's heritage.

An Organ Classified as a Historic Monument

The grand organ of Saint-Bénigne was built in 1758-1759 by Claude-François Saumet, an organ builder from Besançon, assisted by the Guyon brothers, sculptors, and François-Joseph Vorbe, a carpenter. The Louis XV style casing was classified as a Historic Monument in 1977. The instrument currently has 39 stops (40 planned), three keyboards, and a pedalboard, offering an exceptionally rich sound palette.

45 Years of Restoration and Concerts

The Association des amis de l'orgue has been working for over 45 years on the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of this remarkable instrument, in partnership with the City of Pontarlier and the Monuments Historiques. Concurrently, it organizes concerts that attract internationally renowned organists and musicians.

A Rich and Varied Summer Program

The Festival Saint-Bénigne takes place from mid-July to mid-August, offering several themed concerts:

• Solo organ concerts by renowned organists
• Concerts for Peace combining organ, voice, and instruments
• Candlelight concerts, creating an intimate and magical atmosphere
• Gospel evenings, opening up to other musical repertoires
• Duos and ensembles mixing organ, violin, trumpet, and voice

Cultural Outreach for Haut-Doubs

The Festival Saint-Bénigne has established itself as a must-attend event of the summer cultural season in the Haut-Doubs region. The remarkable acoustics of the Saint-Bénigne church, the quality of the invited performers, and the beauty of the instrument make it a popular event for music lovers throughout the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and beyond. The festival is supported by the Diocese of Besançon and the Parish of the Pontarlier Region.