Les Nuits Musicales de Corps
Chamber music festival in the heart of the Dauphiné Alps
About Nuits Musicales de Corps
A chamber music festival in an exceptional alpine setting
Founded in 1989 on the initiative of Gérard Cardin, then mayor of Corps and general councilor of Isère, the Festival des Nuits Musicales de Corps has established itself over three decades as a must-attend event for classical music in rural alpine areas. Every summer, during the first two weeks of August, this medieval village perched at an altitude of 939 meters, on the border between Isère and Hautes-Alpes, transforms into a major center for chamber music, welcoming internationally renowned artists and promising young talents.
The Saint-Pierre church, an acoustic gem of the Dauphiné
Most of the concerts take place in the Saint-Pierre church of Corps, a building erected in 1654 on the site of a priory founded in the 12th century by Benedictine monks from Marseille. Its robust Gothic bell tower and its circular apse, illuminated by high stained-glass windows, offer a remarkable architectural setting and exceptional natural acoustics, ideal for chamber music. Some editions have also featured the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church in Mens, a Romanesque building from the 11th-12th centuries built by the Templars, thus enriching the festival's influence in the neighboring Trièves region.
An eclectic repertoire performed by exceptional artists
The festival's programming is distinguished by its great musical variety, covering all styles and periods of the classical repertoire. From the baroque of Vivaldi and Boccherini to the romanticism of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, including the sacred works of Mozart and Verdi, each edition offers a rich and contrasting musical journey. The festival highlights chamber music in all its forms: string quartets, piano recitals, wind ensembles, chamber orchestras, and voice and instrument duos. It hosts both leading soloists — such as pianist François Dumont or guitarist Emmanuel Rossfelder — and prestigious ensembles like the Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle Europe or La Petite Symphonie.
Discovering young talents
True to its mission of transmission, the festival dedicates evenings each year to young talents, offering a prestigious stage to young prodigy musicians. These recitals provide an opportunity for the public to discover the virtuosos of tomorrow in privileged listening conditions, within a human-scale festival where proximity between artists and spectators creates a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Thirty-six years of passion and commitment
Supported by the association Musique à Corps, the festival owes its longevity to the unwavering commitment of its successive presidents — Jean Naubron, Maurycette Francou, Marie Zaquine, and Ginette Barbe since 2009 — and to the mobilization of numerous volunteers. Under Ginette Barbe's presidency, the festival has seen significant expansion: the launch of the official website, the development of patronage, the increase from five to eight and then nine concerts per edition, and the extension of programming to neighboring towns. The 25th anniversary in 2014 was marked by an exceptional concert by the lake, and the 30th anniversary in 2019 confirmed the festival's lasting presence in the cultural landscape of Isère.
Nuits Musicales de Corps — edition 2026
37th edition of the Festival des Nuits Musicales de Corps: seven classical music concerts from Sunday, August 2 to Friday, August 14, 2026, at 9:00 PM in the church of Corps, in the heart of the Dauphiné Alps (Isère). A program of chamber and vocal music bringing together established soloists and young talents, from guitar to string quartet, including orchestra and voice.
37th edition: seven concerts in August 2026
The Festival des Nuits Musicales de Corps returns for its 37th edition in summer 2026. True to the tradition established in 1989 by the cultural association Musique à Corps, the festival offers seven concerts spread from Sunday, August 2 to Friday, August 14, 2026, with one concert every two days. All concerts begin promptly at 9:00 PM in the church of Corps.
The 2026 program covers a wide repertoire, from baroque to contemporary: guitar and bandoneon recital, French melodies for soprano and piano, oboe-piano duo, sonatas for piano and cello, arias and Mozart's Requiem by a chamber orchestra, string quartets and vocal music. It brings together internationally renowned artists and young talents, in the warm atmosphere that is the hallmark of the festival.
Programme Nuits Musicales de Corps 2026
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
« Latin Passion » — Emmanuel Rossfelder (guitar) and Victor Villena (bandoneon). Works by Plaza, Cardoso, Delfino, Cobián, Piazzolla, Gismonti, Villa-Lobos, Pujol and Matos Rodríguez.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
« Around the Journey » — Marie Tendraïen (soprano) and Thibaud Marchal (piano). Melodies by Debussy, Ravel, Bizet, Duparc, Berlioz and Boulanger.
Thursday, August 6, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
Gabriel Pidoux (oboe) and Jorge Gonzalez Buajasan (piano). Works by Poulenc, Dutilleux, Deslandres, Saint-Saëns, Bozza and Pasculli.
Saturday, August 8, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
« Lyrical Movements » — Claire-Marie Le Guay (piano) and François Salque (cello). Sonatas by Fauré, Brahms and Beethoven.
Monday, August 10, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle Europe, conducted by Nicolas Krauze, with four soloists. Opera arias and Requiem in D minor (KV 626) by Mozart.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
« Around Love » — Quatuor Ardeo. String quartets by Borodin, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.
Friday, August 14, 2026 — 9:00 PM, church of Corps
« Amor » — Ensemble vocal Intermezzo, conducted by Maxime Giraud. Program in three parts exploring love through spirituality, poetry, and folklore.
Program communicated by the festival, subject to change.
Highlights Nuits Musicales de Corps 2026
- Seven concerts from August 2 to 14, 2026, at 9:00 PM in the church of Corps
- Guitar and bandoneon recital « Latin Passion » (Rossfelder / Villena)
- Mozart's Requiem by the Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle Europe (Nicolas Krauze)
- Piano-cello duo Claire-Marie Le Guay and François Salque
- Quatuor Ardeo and Ensemble vocal Intermezzo
Prices Nuits Musicales de Corps 2026
Practical information — Nuits Musicales de Corps
Practical Information
Access
Corps is located in the south of the Isère department (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, on the border with Hautes-Alpes. The village is 70 km south of Grenoble and 40 km north of Gap, at the crossroads of the Route Napoléon (N85) and the Drac valley.
- By car: From Grenoble, take the N85 (Route Napoléon) towards Gap. Allow about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From Gap, follow the N85 north (about 40 minutes). Free parking in the village.
- By train: Nearest stations are Grenoble (TGV from Paris in 3 hours) or Gap. You will need a vehicle or carpooling to reach Corps from the station.
- By bus: Regional bus line Grenoble-Gap with a stop in Corps (check with the Isère intercity transport network).
Concert Venue
The majority of concerts take place at the Saint-Pierre church of Corps, located in the heart of the village. This historic 17th-century building offers remarkable acoustics for chamber music. Doors open about 30 minutes before the concert begins.
Schedules
Concerts start at 9:00 PM and generally last between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes. It is advisable to arrive early to settle in comfortably.
2025 Ticket Prices
- Full price: €23
- Member price: €20
- Teen price (12-25 years): €15
- Reduced price (unemployed, disabled persons): €6
- Free: under 12 years old
- 5-concert pass: €100
- 7-concert pass: €130
- Group package (10 people): €200 (i.e., €20 per person)
Booking
Ticket sales open on June 2nd for phone reservations, and from July 15th at the Corps village hall, daily from 10 AM to 12 PM. Booking is highly recommended for the most popular concerts.
Accommodation
Corps and its surroundings offer various accommodation options: hotels, gîtes, bed and breakfasts, and campsites. The village is located near the Sautet lake and is an excellent starting point for exploring the Écrins National Park and the Dévoluy massif.
Tips
- Bring warm clothing: summer evenings in the mountains can be cool (altitude 939 m).
- Take advantage of your stay to discover the exceptional natural heritage of the surroundings: Sautet lake, Notre-Dame de La Salette sanctuary, Écrins National Park.
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Where does it take place — Nuits Musicales de Corps
Église Saint-Pierre de Corps
Église Saint-Pierre, Corps, 38970 Corps