Les Nocturnes de Conques
When the Last Judgment tympanum comes back to life in color
About Nocturnes de Conques
Les Nocturnes de Conques are a cultural and heritage event offered each year in Conques-en-Rouergue, in Aveyron, from April to October. This nocturnal show highlights the Last Judgment tympanum of the Sainte-Foy abbey church, a masterpiece of 12th-century Romanesque sculpture, through a polychrome video that restores the bright colors that once adorned the 124 sculpted figures. The Nocturnes program also includes a musical tour of the abbey church's galleries, allowing visitors to discover the Romanesque capitals and the contemporary stained glass windows by Pierre Soulages in a unique atmosphere.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Nocturnes de Conques at the best price.
Sponsored link
The magic of Conques at dusk
The Nocturnes de Conques offer a unique experience: discovering the magic of Conques and its abbey church at dusk. Launched in 2018, this cultural and heritage event transforms the medieval village every evening, from April to October, into a place of contemplation and wonder, revealing unsuspected aspects of this site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The polychrome video of the tympanum: 900 years of history revealed in color
The highlight of the Nocturnes is the illumination of the Last Judgment tympanum, located at the western portal of the Sainte-Foy abbey church. This masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture, created between 1107 and 1125 under Abbot Boniface, depicts the Last Judgment with 124 sculpted figures: angels, the blessed, the damned, and demons of the Heavenly Court.
The polychrome video gradually reveals the bright colors that once adorned these sculptures — blue dominating for paradise, red for hell. Frozen for nearly 900 years, the figures come back to life under the play of colors, offering a completely renewed interpretation of this masterful work. This free show, visible from the parvis of the abbey church, is a moment of rare emotion and beauty.
The galleries in music: between Romanesque capitals and Soulages stained glass
The Nocturnes also offer a musical tour of the galleries of the abbey church, at 9:30 PM. This paid tour allows access to the upper parts of the church, close to the 250 Romanesque capitals spread over two levels and the contemporary stained glass windows by Pierre Soulages. In an intimate and musical atmosphere, visitors discover the abbey church from a new perspective, between Romanesque and contemporary art.
A medieval village enhanced by the night
Beyond the tympanum and the galleries, the Nocturnes invite you to stroll through the medieval village of Conques bathed in nocturnal light. The cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and slate roofs take on a special dimension at dusk, offering visitors a journey back in time in the heart of one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
Nocturnes de Conques — edition 2026
Nocturnes de Conques 2026: polychrome illumination of the Last Judgment tympanum and musical tour of the galleries of the Sainte-Foy abbey church, from February 7 to October 11, 2026. Low season from 6:30 PM, high season from 9:00 PM.
2026 Season: the magic continues in Conques
The 2026 season of the Nocturnes de Conques began as early as February 7 and will continue until October 11, 2026. The program offers two formats depending on the season:
In the low season (February 7 - March 8), the "Polychromy" presentation is offered daily at 6:30 PM. In the high season (April 6 - October 11), the full program unfolds each evening: presentation of the tympanum at 9:00 PM, musical tour of the galleries at 9:30 PM (6 euros, ages 12 and up), and polychrome illumination of the tympanum at 10:15 PM.
The illumination of the tympanum, free and without reservation, remains the highlight of the Nocturnes: the 124 sculpted figures of the Last Judgment come back to life under a progressive play of colors, restoring the blue of paradise and the red of hell as they appeared in the 12th century.
Programme Nocturnes de Conques 2026
2026 Program
Low season (February 7 - March 8)
- 6:30 PM: "Polychromy" presentation of the tympanum
High season (April 6 - October 11)
- 9:00 PM: Presentation of the Last Judgment tympanum
- 9:30 PM: Musical tour of the galleries (6 euros, ages 12 and up)
- 10:15 PM: Polychrome illumination of the tympanum
Highlights Nocturnes de Conques 2026
- Extended season from February 7 to October 11, 2026
- Polychrome video of the Last Judgment tympanum
- Tour of the galleries with Romanesque capitals and Soulages stained glass
- Free and no-reservation illumination
- UNESCO World Heritage listed village
Prices Nocturnes de Conques 2026
Practical information — Nocturnes de Conques
Practical Information
Nocturnes Program
Low season (February - March)
- 6:30 PM: "Polychromy" presentation of the tympanum
High season (April - October)
- 9:00 PM: Presentation of the tympanum
- 9:30 PM: Musical tour of the galleries (paid — 6 euros, ages 12 and up)
- 10:15 PM: Polychrome illumination of the tympanum
Access
The Sainte-Foy abbey church is located at Place de l'Abbaye, 12320 Conques-en-Rouergue. The village is pedestrianized; free parking is available at the entrance.
- By car: From Rodez, follow the D901 then the D42 (approx. 40 min).
- By train: Nearest SNCF station: Rodez (40 km).
Prices
- Tympanum illumination: Free
- Musical tour of the galleries: 6 euros (ages 12 and up)
Contact
- Conques-Marcillac Tourist Office: 05 65 72 85 00
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.tourisme-conques.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Nocturnes de Conques at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Nocturnes de Conques
Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques
Place de l'Abbaye, 12320 Conques-en-Rouergue