Les Escapades Musicales
International classical music festival on the Arcachon Bay
2026
About Escapades Musicales
Escapades Musicales — edition 2026
For its 17th edition, from June 18 to July 18, 2026, Les Escapades Musicales festival offers fifteen classical music concerts in the heritage sites of the Arcachon Basin and the Val de l'Eyre. Under the artistic direction of cellist Pejman, the program blends renowned international artists (Pierre Génisson, the Gautier Capuçon Foundation Quartet, the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse) and young talents, and concludes with an Opera Academy centered around a chamber version of Bizet's Carmen.
Escapades Musicales 2026 — 17th edition
From June 18 to July 18, 2026, Les Escapades Musicales return for five weeks of classical music concerts held in the churches, castles, chapels, and gardens of the Arcachon Basin and the Val de l'Eyre. Fifteen events will take the audience from Biganos to Cap-Ferret, passing through Salles, Le Teich, Audenge, Gujan-Mestras, Lanton, Arcachon, Andernos-les-Bains, Pyla-sur-Mer, La Teste-de-Buch, and Belin-Béliet.
International artists and young talents
The program features a mix of internationally renowned artists and promising young talents: clarinettist Pierre Génisson, the Gautier Capuçon Foundation Quartet, the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse alongside violinist Alexis Cárdenas, pianist Jean-Paul Gasparian, and gypsy jazz guitarist Adrien Moignard. The festival is directed by cellist Pejman.
An Opera Academy to close the festival
The last week is dedicated to an Opera Academy: four young singers, accompanied by piano, clarinet, and cello, will perform a condensed and intense chamber version of Georges Bizet's Carmen, during three open-air performances (Parc Birabeille in Mios, Parc Mauresque in Arcachon, Phare du Cap-Ferret).
Accessibility
True to its accessible pricing policy, the festival offers free admission for those under 18, reduced rates for those under 26, job seekers, and people with reduced mobility, as well as several free concerts.
Highlights Escapades Musicales 2026
- 17th edition, from June 18 to July 18, 2026, in the Arcachon Basin and the Val de l'Eyre
- 15 concerts in heritage churches, castles, chapels, and gardens
- Headliners: Pierre Génisson, Gautier Capuçon Foundation Quartet, Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse, Jean-Paul Gasparian
- Closing Opera Academy featuring Bizet's Carmen in a chamber version
- Free admission for those under 18 and several free concerts
Programme Escapades Musicales 2026
15 concerts, all at 8:30 PM, in the heritage sites of the Arcachon Basin and the Val de l'Eyre.
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Port des Tuiles, Biganos
8:30 PM — Opening Concert: Duo Synantao — Carjez Gerretsen (clarinet) and Rémy Poulakis (tenor and accordion). Free concert.
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Château de Salles
8:30 PM — Ensemble Saxback, saxophone sextet. Free concert.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Château de Ruat, Le Teich
8:30 PM — "The Clarinet of the Enlightenment": Pierre Génisson (clarinet) and string quartet.
Thursday, June 25, 2026 — Scène de Mademoiselle Théodore, Audenge
8:30 PM — "Very Virtuoso", concertante duo: Laure Favre-Kahn and Maxence Pilchen (pianos).
Friday, June 26, 2026 — Église Saint-Maurice, Gujan-Mestras
8:30 PM — "Les lauriers sont coupés", baroque ensemble La Mandorle.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Église Notre-Dame, Lanton
8:30 PM — "Artemisia, feminine genius": Caroline Arnaud (soprano) and Étienne Galletier (theorbo).
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Église du Moulleau, Arcachon
8:30 PM — "Folia Latina": Alexis Cárdenas (violin) and the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse.
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Église Saint-Éloi, Andernos-les-Bains
8:30 PM — "Magic Dialogue": Shamim Minoo (harp) and Pejman (cello).
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — Villa Téthys, Pyla-sur-Mer
8:30 PM — Gautier Capuçon Foundation Quartet (string quartet).
Thursday, July 9, 2026 — Hippodrome de La Teste-de-Buch
8:30 PM — Adrien Moignard 4tet, gypsy jazz.
Friday, July 10, 2026 — Église Saint-Pierre, Belin-Béliet
8:30 PM — "Compostelle… Chants": vocal ensemble Les Voix Animées.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Chapelle Forestière, Pyla-sur-Mer
8:30 PM — "From Poetry to Virtuosity": Jean-Paul Gasparian, piano.
Opera Academy — Carmen (Bizet), chamber version
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 8:30 PM — Parc Birabeille, Mios. Free concert.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 8:30 PM — Parc Mauresque, Arcachon.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 8:30 PM — Phare du Cap-Ferret.
Prices Escapades Musicales 2026
Escapades Musicales — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 18 June to 18 July 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Escapades Musicales
Access
Concerts in several towns around the Arcachon Bay and along the Leyre river. Venues vary according to the program.
Prices
Free for under 18s. Reduced rates for young people, job seekers, and people with disabilities.
Contact
Official website: www.lesescapadesmusicales.com
Les Escapades Musicales, classical music at the Arcachon Bay
Since 2010, Les Escapades Musicales have been inviting music lovers on a musical journey along the Leyre river and around the Arcachon Bay. This international classical music festival offers five summer weeks of quality concerts in exceptional heritage locations.
International artists and young talents
The program features a mix of renowned international artists and promising young talents. The festival aims to be a springboard for the new generation of classical musicians, with the 2025 edition carrying the subtitle "Generation Opera!".
Exceptional heritage sites
Concerts are held in churches, castles, chapels, and gardens around the Arcachon Bay and its surroundings, offering unique acoustics and atmosphere for each performance.
Accessibility and outreach
The festival is distinguished by its accessible pricing policy: free admission for under 18s, reduced rates for young people and job seekers. Educational mornings are also offered to introduce young audiences to classical music.
Where does it take place — Escapades Musicales
Escapades Musicales in brief
Other festivals near Arcachon
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