Les Estivales de Brou
Lyric music festival at the Royal Monastery of Brou
About Estivales de Brou
Les Estivales de Brou: lyric arts in an exceptional Gothic setting
Since 1989, Les Estivales de Brou have offered audiences lyric arts in all their forms within the sumptuous setting of the Royal Monastery of Brou, a masterpiece of Brabantine Flamboyant Gothic built in the early 16th century by Margaret of Austria. This summer festival has become a landmark cultural event in Bourg-en-Bresse and the Ain department.
A story born from a Franco-Swiss partnership
Les Estivales de Brou were born in 1989 from a Franco-Swiss partnership aimed at encouraging young lyric singers. The first edition took place within the Church of Brou with a production of Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc. In the early years, the association produced one major lyric work annually: Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart in 1991, Don Carlos by Verdi in 1993.
In 1996 a full-fledged festival emerged with three distinct productions, and in 2000 the multi-program format was permanently established under the name Estivales de Brou. Since then, four to five programs each year showcase every facet of lyric arts.
A rich and varied program
Each edition presents a comprehensive panorama of lyric and vocal music:
- Opera and opéra-comique: major works from Mozart to Rossini, Verdi to Puccini, performed by talented young artists with the Choeur Départemental de l’Ain and the Ensemble Instrumental des Estivales de Brou.
- Sacred music: requiems, masses and sacred works that find special resonance beneath the majestic vaults of the Church of Brou.
- Lyric recitals: opera arias, art songs and Neapolitan songs in the intimate second cloister.
- Humorous creations: shows blending music and humor, offering an offbeat approach to classical music.
A springboard for young artists
True to their founding mission, Les Estivales de Brou place young professional artists at the heart of their programming, serving as a springboard for singers, pianists and instrumentalists at the start of their careers.
The Choeur Départemental de l’Ain
Created in 1995, this departmental vocal workshop brings together amateur choristers who work year-round with professional artists. The choir is a pillar of the festival and actively participates in opera and sacred music productions.
A unique architectural setting
Performances take place in the various spaces of the Royal Monastery of Brou, a classified historic monument managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux:
- The Church of Brou: exceptional acoustics for operas and sacred music beneath sculpted vaults with over 70 finely carved choir stalls.
- The second cloister: an intimate open-air setting for recitals and chamber music on summer evenings.
- The Théâtre de Bourg-en-Bresse: some performances are also held at the municipal theater.
Estivales de Brou — edition 2026
Les Estivales de Brou return from July 2 to 12, 2026 at the Royal Monastery of Brou and the Bourg-en-Bresse Theater. This edition honors female composers and female voices, with four productions: a classical music concert dedicated to the “hidden treasures” of female composers, a humorous musical show, Verdi's opera La Traviata, and a concert of Sicilian songs. As every year, the festival brings together the Chœur Départemental de l'Ain and the Orchestre des Estivales de Brou around young lyrical soloists.
2026 Edition — From July 2 to 12, 2026
In 2026, Les Estivales de Brou offers four programs covering all facets of lyrical art, within the majestic setting of the Royal Monastery of Brou and at the Bourg-en-Bresse Theater. True to its mission of promoting young professional artists, the festival welcomes the Chœur Départemental de l'Ain (directed by Alice Pepek) and the Orchestre des Estivales de Brou.
Hidden Treasures — Classical Music
A concert dedicated to female composers, featuring Maud Bessard Morandas (soprano), Cyrille Carrotte (piano), and Philippe Bourlois (accordion), accompanied by the Chœur Départemental de l'Ain. Église de Brou, on Thursday, July 2 and Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 8 PM.
Let's Be (Not Too) Serious — Humorous Musical Show
A show blending music and humor with Amélie Robins, Florian Laconi, and Philippe Brocard. Bourg-en-Bresse Theater, on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 5 PM.
Verdi's La Traviata — Opera
Giuseppe Verdi's opera in three acts, featuring Lysa Menu, Rémi Poulakis, Benoît Gadel, and Sarah Schmidt, the Chœur Départemental de l'Ain, and the Orchestre des Estivales de Brou. Église de Brou, on Thursday, July 9, Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 9 PM.
Caluna — Sicilian Songs
A concert of traditional Sicilian songs with Julie Mathevet, Julien Estèves, Camille Raibaud, and Guillaume Vallot. Église de Brou, on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 9 PM.
Programme Estivales de Brou 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — 8 PM
- Hidden Treasures (classical music, female composers) · Église de Brou — Maud Bessard Morandas (soprano), Cyrille Carrotte (piano), Philippe Bourlois (accordion), Chœur Départemental de l'Ain directed by Alice Pepek
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — 8 PM
- Hidden Treasures (2nd performance) · Église de Brou
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — 5 PM
- Let's Be (Not Too) Serious (humorous musical show) · Bourg-en-Bresse Theater — Amélie Robins, Florian Laconi, Philippe Brocard
Thursday, July 9, 2026 — 9 PM
- La Traviata by Verdi (opera) · Église de Brou — Lysa Menu, Rémi Poulakis, Benoît Gadel, Sarah Schmidt, Chœur Départemental de l'Ain, Orchestre des Estivales de Brou
Friday, July 10, 2026 — 9 PM
- Caluna (Sicilian songs) · Église de Brou — Julie Mathevet, Julien Estèves, Camille Raibaud, Guillaume Vallot
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — 9 PM
- La Traviata by Verdi (2nd performance) · Église de Brou
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — 9 PM
- La Traviata by Verdi (3rd performance) · Église de Brou
Highlights Estivales de Brou 2026
- Festival from July 2 to 12, 2026 at the Royal Monastery of Brou and the Bourg-en-Bresse Theater
- Edition dedicated to female composers and female voices
- Verdi's opera La Traviata in three performances
- Four productions: classical music, humorous show, opera, and Sicilian songs
- Presence of the Chœur Départemental de l'Ain and the Orchestre des Estivales de Brou
Prices Estivales de Brou 2026
Practical information — Estivales de Brou
Practical information
Getting there
By car: Bourg-en-Bresse is accessible via the A40 motorway (from Lyon, Geneva or Mâcon) and the A39 (from Dijon). The Royal Monastery of Brou is at 63 boulevard de Brou, east of the town center. Free parking is available nearby.
By train: Bourg-en-Bresse station is served by TGV (Paris in 2h) and TER regional trains (Lyon in 1h). The monastery is reachable by bus or a 20-minute walk.
By bus: The Rubis network serves the monastery (Brou stop), Line 1 from the station.
Prices and tickets
Prices vary by performance (2025 as guide):
- Opera (1st series): full 39€, reduced 36€, youth (12–20) 15€
- Opera (2nd series): full 32€, reduced 29€, youth 10€
- Sacred music: full 34€, reduced 31€, youth 12€
- Recital: full 27€, reduced 25€, youth 8€
- Humorous show: full 29€, reduced 27€, youth 10€
Festival pass (4 shows): 60–73€. Free for children under 12.
Bookings
By phone at 04 74 23 63 25. Tickets collected on the evening. Also via France Billet and Fnac Spectacles.
Accessibility
Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Contact the association at 04 74 23 63 25.
Tips
- Bring a warm layer for open-air cloister performances.
- Church shows begin at 9 PM; arrive 30 minutes early.
- Unnumbered seats — arrive early for the best spot.
- Many restaurants nearby for pre-show dining.
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Where does it take place — Estivales de Brou
Monastère royal de Brou
63 boulevard de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse