Les Musicales de Montsoreau
Classical music festival at the Château de Montsoreau
About Musicales de Montsoreau
Les Musicales de Montsoreau: Thirty Years of Music on the Banks of the Loire
In 1996, Argentine harpsichordist Mario Raskin founded Les Musicales de Montsoreau with the conviction that a small Loire Valley village could become a major center for classical music. Thirty years later, the challenge has been largely met: the festival has become an essential summer musical event in the Loire Valley, attracting internationally renowned musicians in an exceptional setting.
A Unique Heritage Setting
The concerts are held in two remarkable locations in the village of Montsoreau, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France:
- The Château de Montsoreau, a Loire Valley château built directly in the riverbed, now a Museum of Contemporary Art, whose vaulted rooms offer unique acoustics and atmosphere
- The church of Saint-Pierre-de-Rest, a Romanesque building whose acoustics are particularly suited to chamber music and recitals
A Rich and Varied Repertoire
The Musicales' programming explores a wide repertoire, from baroque music to contemporary classical, including romanticism and impressionism. Harpsichord, piano, string quartets, brass quintets, vocal ensembles, and soloists perform throughout the concerts, offering a highly diverse musical experience.
A Festival of Excellence and Transmission
Supported by the association Ligériana Musicale, Les Musicales de Montsoreau are distinguished by their artistic rigor and their commitment to transmission. The festival's flagship concept, particularly highlighted for the 30th edition in 2025, is "A Master, A Hope": seasoned international musicians perform alongside young talents, former students or disciples, in a spirit of companionship and passing the torch between generations.
Among the artists who have marked the festival's history are founder Mario Raskin on harpsichord, flutist Staffan Mårtensson, violinists Virginie and Bruno Robillard, pianist Nicolas Stavy, and the Rosamonde Quartet, as well as many leading soloists and ensembles on the classical music scene.
Musicales de Montsoreau — edition 2026
The 31st edition of Les Musicales de Montsoreau takes place from July 17 to August 14, 2026, with five concerts given every Friday at 8:30 PM in the Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church, in the heart of the Loire village of Montsoreau. On the program: demanding yet accessible chamber music, performed by talented young professionals alongside established ensembles, in a spirit of joy and poetry.
31st Edition — Summer 2026
For their 31st edition, Les Musicales de Montsoreau offer five chamber music concerts, every Friday from July 17 to August 14, 2026, at 8:30 PM, in the Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church. Faithful to the spirit of the festival founded in 1996 by harpsichordist Mario Raskin, the program features powerful instruments and works celebrating joy and vivacity, bringing together virtuosity, accessible pieces, and discoveries.
From violin to accordion, from piano to clarinet, five ensembles perform works by Schubert, Beethoven, Debussy, de Falla, Stravinsky, Bach, Mozart, Piazzolla, Rachmaninov, Haydn, or Grieg.
Programme Musicales de Montsoreau 2026
Friday, July 17, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Symbolic Journey — Trio Vermeer (Schubert, Beethoven, Cras), Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church.
Friday, July 24, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Rhapsodies — Duo mezcal (Debussy, de Falla, Stravinsky), Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church.
Friday, July 31, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Emotions — Duo Eclecta (Bach, Mozart, Piazzolla, Wieniawski), Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church.
Friday, August 7, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Ode to Nature — Duo Gazeilles-Gey (Schubert, Rachmaninov), Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church.
Friday, August 14, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Musical Journey — Quatuor Våren (Haydn, Szymanowski, Grieg), Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church.
Highlights Musicales de Montsoreau 2026
- Five chamber music concerts, Fridays from July 17 to August 14, 2026
- In the Saint-Pierre-de-Rest church, a village classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France
- Trio Vermeer, Duo mezcal, Duo Eclecta, Duo Gazeilles-Gey and Quatuor Våren
- Free for children under 15
Prices Musicales de Montsoreau 2026
Practical information — Musicales de Montsoreau
Practical Information
Concert Venues
Château de Montsoreau (Museum of Contemporary Art) and church of Saint-Pierre-de-Rest, Montsoreau (49730).
Dates
From mid-July to mid-August, one concert per week (usually Friday or Saturday evening).
Access
By car: Montsoreau is located 12 km east of Saumur via the D947 along the Loire. Free parking in the village.
By train: Saumur station (12 km), then car or bike via La Loire à Vélo.
Prices
Ticketed concerts. Prices and reservations on the Saumur Val de Loire Tourist Office website or by email at [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Musicales de Montsoreau
Église Saint-Pierre-de-Rest
Château de Montsoreau, 49730 Montsoreau