Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde
Ancient music festival in the medieval rotunda of Simiane
About Les Riches Heures Musicales
Created in 1982 by the cultural department of the municipality of Simiane-la-Rotonde, then taken over in 1987 by the eponymous association, the Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde festival is an exceptional summer event dedicated to ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and baroque music. Every year in August, nationally and internationally renowned ensembles perform in the Romanesque hall of the circular keep of the Château de Simiane, a historic monument classified since 1841. The ribbed dome resting on twelve pillars offers an intimate and remarkable acoustic, perfectly suited for small instrumental and vocal ensembles. With over forty editions to its name, this festival has become an essential event for ancient music enthusiasts in Haute-Provence.
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An exceptional Romanesque setting for ancient music
Since 1982, the festival Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde has celebrated ancient music in a unique architectural setting in Provence: the rotunda of the Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde, the oldest circular keep in the region. Built in the 12th century by the powerful Agoult-Simiane family, patrons of the troubadours, this historic monument, classified since 1841, houses a Romanesque hall topped by a high ribbed dome resting on twelve pillars adorned with sculpted capitals and expressive masks from the medieval bestiary.
A story of passion and loyalty
The festival was created in 1982 by the cultural department of the municipality of Simiane-la-Rotonde, before being taken over in 1987 by the association "Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde". For over forty years, this event has hosted prestigious ensembles from the greatest national and international conservatories, while also promoting young musicians graduated from local and regional music schools. The festival remains an exceptional meeting place on the musical routes of Haute-Provence.
A demanding thematic program
Each edition is built around a unifying theme that guides the programming and invites the public on a musical journey through the centuries and countries of Europe. The repertoire ranges from medieval troubadour music to the splendors of the baroque, including Renaissance polyphonies. The concerts, held in the evening at 9 PM, create a magical atmosphere in the intimacy of the rotunda, where the proximity between artists and spectators makes each performance unforgettable.
World-renowned artists
Over the years, the festival has hosted many leading ensembles: Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien directed by François Lazarevitch, La Rêveuse, Les Talens Lyriques by Christophe Rousset, Tasto Solo, Les Veilleurs de Nuit, and François Joubert-Caillet. These artists, recognized specialists in performance on period instruments, find in the rotunda's acoustics an ideal setting to recreate the richness of ancient repertoires.
A hilltop village in the heart of Haute-Provence
Simiane-la-Rotonde is a village of character perched on a hill overlooking the lavender landscapes of Haute-Provence, between the Luberon and the Lure mountains. Its narrow streets, 16th-century carved doorways, and medieval castle form an enchanting setting. The festival is part of this living heritage and contributes to the cultural influence of the region, attracting over 12,000 visitors to the castle each summer and several hundred music lovers to the concerts.
A unique musical experience
Beyond the concerts, the festival offers musicological conferences, talks related to the program, and art exhibitions organized by the association "Empreintes 04". Ticketing is available online, by phone, or at the Forcalquier Haute-Provence Tourist Office. Reduced rates are offered to students, job seekers, young people under 18, and local residents, while children under 12 get in for free.
Les Riches Heures Musicales — edition 2026
The 44th edition of the Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde festival will be held from August 2 to 13, 2026, under the theme "The Iberian Musical Universe: Spain, Mediterranean, and Americas". Five concerts will explore the musical riches of the Iberian Peninsula, from the polyphonies of Isabella the Catholic's court to Baroque exchanges between Europe and the New World.
44th edition — The Iberian Musical Universe: Spain, Mediterranean, and Americas
The Les Riches Heures Musicales de la Rotonde festival returns for its 44th edition from August 2 to 13, 2026, with an ambitious theme: "The Iberian Musical Universe: Spain, Mediterranean, and Americas". The program invites the public on a musical journey through the centuries, from the royal courts of the Spanish Renaissance to Baroque influences across the Atlantic.
The Quatuor Cantoria will open the festival on August 2nd with "Las Hijas de Isabel", a program of vocal polyphony exploring the courts of the Spanish Renaissance. On August 5th, Bertrand Cuiller, Violaine Cochard, and Martyna Pastuszka will present "Scarlatti per Tre", a reinterpretation of Domenico Scarlatti's sonatas for harpsichord and violin.
On August 6th and 7th, the ensemble Matica de Flor will present "Alta Es La Luna", a program blending Sephardic traditions and Mediterranean influences, preceded by a free musical talk on August 7th. On August 10th, Arianna Savall and the Ensemble Hirundo Maris will offer an original program tracing Iberian musical history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Finally, on August 13th, Los Temperamentos will close the festival with "De la Conquista y otros Demonios", exploring Baroque musical exchanges between Europe and the Americas.
Programme Les Riches Heures Musicales 2026
Program for the 44th edition
- Sunday, August 2 at 9 PM: Quatuor Cantoria — "Las Hijas de Isabel", vocal polyphony from the Spanish Renaissance courts
- Wednesday, August 5 at 9 PM: Bertrand Cuiller, Violaine Cochard, and Martyna Pastuszka — "Scarlatti per Tre", sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti
- Thursday, August 6 at 9 PM: Ensemble Matica de Flor — "Alta Es La Luna", Sephardic and Mediterranean traditions
- Friday, August 7: Free musical talk (afternoon) followed by the Ensemble Matica de Flor concert at 9 PM
- Monday, August 10 at 9 PM: Arianna Savall and Ensemble Hirundo Maris — Iberian musical history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (original program)
- Thursday, August 13 at 9 PM: Los Temperamentos — "De la Conquista y otros Demonios", Baroque influences between Europe and the Americas
Highlights Les Riches Heures Musicales 2026
- 44th edition — theme "The Iberian Musical Universe"
- Five concerts from August 2 to 13, 2026
- Renaissance vocal polyphony by Quatuor Cantoria
- Scarlatti by Bertrand Cuiller, Violaine Cochard, and Martyna Pastuszka
- Sephardic and Mediterranean traditions by Matica de Flor
- Original program by Arianna Savall and Hirundo Maris
- Transatlantic Baroque music by Los Temperamentos
- Free musical talk on August 7
Prices Les Riches Heures Musicales 2026
Practical information — Les Riches Heures Musicales
Access
The festival takes place in the Rotunda of the Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde (04150), in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
- By car: from Apt (30 km) via the D51, from Forcalquier (25 km) via the D950 then the D51, from Manosque (40 km) via the D4100 and the D951. Free parking below the village.
- By train: nearest station in Manosque-Gréoux-les-Bains (TGV) or Aix-en-Provence TGV. No direct public transport to Simiane.
Times
Concerts take place in the evening, at 9 PM, in the Romanesque hall of the rotunda. Average duration: 1h15 to 1h30. It is recommended to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the start of the concert.
Prices
Full price: €33 (non-member) | Member price: €25 | Reduced price: €10 (students, job seekers, under 18s) | Free for children under 12. 5-concert subscription: €135 (full price) or €100 (members).
Booking
Online ticketing on the official website, by phone at 06 30 80 38 28, or at the Forcalquier Haute-Provence Tourist Office. Ticketing opens in early June.
Accommodation
Gîtes, B&Bs, and seasonal rentals in Simiane-la-Rotonde and surrounding villages (Banon, Oppedette, Vachères). Booking recommended well in advance for the festival period.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 06 30 80 38 28
- Website: festival-simiane.com
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Les Riches Heures Musicales
Rotonde du Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde
Rotonde du Château, 04150 Simiane-la-Rotonde