Itinerary Baroque in Périgord
Baroque music festival in Périgord Vert
About Itinerary Baroque
A Baroque Setting in Périgord Vert
Founded in 2002 by the renowned Dutch conductor and harpsichordist Ton Koopman, the Itinerary Baroque in Périgord festival has become one of the major events for early music in France. Every summer, the festival takes over ten heritage sites in Périgord Vert — Romanesque churches, chapels, and castles — to offer around forty concerts.
An Excellent Program
The festival brings together over 100 international artists and highlights young ensembles alongside world-renowned groups like the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir. The repertoire explores the richness of baroque music, from Monteverdi to Bach, including Vivaldi, Handel, and the French masters of the 17th century.
A Traveling Festival in Heritage Sites
The festival's originality lies in its traveling nature: concerts are held in Romanesque churches, chapels, and castles of the Nontronnais and Ribéracois regions, offering a unique blend of baroque music and architectural heritage. The church of Saint-Astier is one of the festival's emblematic venues.
Itinerary Baroque — edition 2026
The 25th edition of the Itinéraire Baroque en Périgord takes place from July 29 to August 2, 2026, under the artistic direction of Ton Koopman. This edition, celebrating the 80th birthday of the Dutch conductor and harpsichordist, explores the Nontronnais and Ribéracois regions — Romanesque churches, abbeys, and castles of the Périgord Vert. Baroque music concerts bringing together over 100 international artists, with an itinerant day (August 1st) across six heritage sites and a closing concert dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir.
25th Edition — Ton Koopman's 80th Birthday
From July 29 to August 2, 2026, the Itinéraire Baroque en Périgord returns for its 25th edition under the artistic direction of its founder Ton Koopman. The 2026 edition celebrates the 80th birthday of the Dutch conductor, organist, and harpsichordist, who has chosen for the occasion to perform Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir.
An Itinerant Festival in Périgord Vert
True to its format, the festival takes over the Romanesque churches, abbeys, and castles of the Nontronnais and Ribéracois regions. The highlight remains the grand itinerant day on August 1st: three routes (Yellow, Orange, and Green) allow the public to journey between six heritage sites — the Saint-Cybard abbey church in Cercles, Bourg-des-Maisons, Saint-Méard-de-Drône, Saint-Paul-Lizonne, Bourg-du-Bost, and the Château de la Richardie — with short concerts given by young ensembles alongside established groups.
From One Shore of Baroque Music to the Other
The festival opens on July 29 with an organ prelude in Périgueux and continues for five days between Cercles, Bourg-des-Maisons, and Périgueux, from the opening concert « London Circa 1720 » to the closing Bach concert at the Théâtre de l'Odyssée in Périgueux. The repertoire explores the richness of baroque music, from Monteverdi to Bach, within the exceptional setting of the Périgord Vert's heritage.
Programme Itinerary Baroque 2026
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 — Périgueux, Saint-Étienne de la Cité Church
- 5:00 PM — Prelude: Organ concert
Thursday, July 30, 2026 — Cercles, Abbey Church
- 8:30 PM — Opening Concert « London Circa 1720 »
Friday, July 31, 2026 — Cercles, Abbey Church
- 12:00 PM — « Ridono i prati, e'l ciel si rassserena »
- 5:00 PM — « The Art of Fugue »
- 9:00 PM — « Bach Reimagined »
Saturday, August 1, 2026 — Itinerant Day (Yellow, Orange, and Green routes)
Six heritage sites in Périgord Vert connected by three routes of your choice:
- 9:00 AM — Cercles, Saint-Cybard Abbey Church: opening concert of the day
- Bourg-des-Maisons — « Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord »
- Saint-Méard-de-Drône — « Frottola, poesia per musica »
- Saint-Paul-Lizonne — « Sonatas for Chalumeau and Basso Continuo »
- Bourg-du-Bost — concerts of the three routes
- 6:00 PM — Château de la Richardie: « Carrousel — Versailles en Périgord »
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — Périgueux, Théâtre de l'Odyssée
- 5:00 PM — Closing Bach Concert: St John Passion by J.-S. Bach, performed by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir under the direction of Ton Koopman (conductor's 80th birthday concert)
Highlights Itinerary Baroque 2026
- 25th edition celebrating the 80th birthday of Ton Koopman, founder and artistic director
- Closing concert: Bach's St John Passion by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
- Grand itinerant day on August 1st: 3 routes, 6 heritage sites in Périgord Vert
- Opening concert « London Circa 1720 » at Cercles Abbey Church
- Free admission for children under 12
Prices Itinerary Baroque 2026
Practical information — Itinerary Baroque
Practical Information
Access
By car: Saint-Astier is located on the D6089, about 20 km west of Périgueux. Concerts take place in various heritage sites in Périgord Vert.
Period
Summer festival in July-August, with a Christmas concert in December.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concert. Tickets available on the online ticketing service.
Contact
Tel: 05 53 90 05 13
Website: itinerairebaroque.com
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Where does it take place — Itinerary Baroque
Églises romanes et châteaux du Périgord Vert
Église de Saint-Astier et lieux patrimoniaux, 24110 Saint-Astier