Les Samedis de l'Orgue
The historic organ of Luxeuil resonates every summer
About Samedis de l'Orgue
A historic organ in the heart of Luxeuil-les-Bains
In the heart of the spa town of Luxeuil-les-Bains, the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul basilica houses an exceptional musical treasure: an organ dating from 1617, enlarged in 1685, listed among the oldest instruments in Franche-Comté. Its imposing 17th-century oak case, supported by an atlas, testifies to the excellence of the organ builders of the time. Carefully restored by Michel Formentelli and Jean Deloye, the instrument was reinaugurated in 2020, regaining all the splendor of its baroque and classical sounds.
A monthly musical event
The Samedis de l'Orgue (Organ Saturdays) offer five events between May and September, on the first Saturday of each month. The day is divided into two main parts: at 11 a.m., a presentation of the organ and an introduction to the concert works, a true "appetizer" for neophytes and connoisseurs alike; then, at 5 p.m., a concert in the basilica, where the remarkable acoustics of the nave sublimate every note.
Talented organists
Each concert features renowned organists, specialists in baroque and classical repertoire. The programs explore the golden age of organ music, from Bach to Couperin, including Buxtehude, Vivaldi, Rameau, Titelouze, and Marchand. In 2025, artists such as Léon Berben, Olivier Wyrwas, Matthieu Boutineau, and Thierry Mechler performed, offering a panorama of French and European organ music through the centuries.
A heritage to discover
The Samedis de l'Orgue are part of the cultural dynamic of l'Ecclesia, the heritage city of Luxeuil-les-Bains, which celebrates two thousand years of history. The basilica, founded by Saint Colomban in the 6th century, is a jewel of religious architecture in Franche-Comté. The concerts thus offer a double discovery: that of a rare instrument and that of a place steeped in spirituality and history, in an intimate and contemplative atmosphere.
Accessible to all
Organized jointly by Culture 70, the Association des Amis de l'Orgue (Friends of the Organ Association), and the Luxeuil-les-Bains Tourist Office, the Samedis de l'Orgue combine artistic excellence and accessibility. Modest prices and free admission for under-18s make it an event open to all audiences, from the seasoned music lover to the simply curious.
Samedis de l'Orgue — edition 2026
The 5th season of Les Samedis de l'Orgue takes place from May to September 2026 in the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Luxeuil-les-Bains. The opening concert, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 5 PM, is entrusted to Thierry Ferré, titular organist of Metz Cathedral. The program continues until the closing concert on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Every concert Saturday, a presentation of the historic 1617 organ is offered at 11 AM.
5th Season of Les Samedis de l'Orgue
The 2026 edition marks the fifth season of Les Samedis de l'Orgue in Luxeuil-les-Bains. The monthly event, proposed by Culture 70, the Association des Amis de l'Orgue, and the Tourist Office, resumes from May 2 to September 5, 2026, in the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul.
Day Format
Each concert Saturday is structured in two parts: at 11 AM, an “appetizer” presents the historic organ and introduces the works of the evening's program; at 5 PM, the concert takes place in the basilica's nave, whose remarkable acoustics highlight the baroque and classical sounds of the 1617 instrument. The closing concert in early September takes place in the evening.
Organists Expected in 2026
Two concerts are already confirmed:
- Saturday, May 2, 2026 — 5 PM: Thierry Ferré, titular organist of Metz Cathedral, for the season's opening concert.
- Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 5 PM: Himawari Honda, organ and harpsichord professor at the Sarreguemines Conservatory and titular organist of the Saint-Matthieu Protestant Church in Strasbourg, offers a program titled «At the Crossroads of Styles» with works by Froberger, Kerll, Muffat, Krebs, Corrette, Séjan, Lasceux, and Boëly.
The names of the organists for the July, August, and September 2026 concerts will be announced by the organization throughout the season.
Programme Samedis de l'Orgue 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026 — Opening Concert
- 11 AM — Presentation of the organ and introduction to the works (appetizer, Basilica of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul)
- 5 PM — Organ recital by Thierry Ferré, titular organist of Metz Cathedral. Opening concert of the 5th season of Les Samedis de l'Orgue. Free admission.
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Himawari Honda
- 11 AM — Presentation of the organ and introduction to the works
- 5 PM-6 PM — Recital «At the Crossroads of Styles» by Himawari Honda. Works by Johann Jakob Froberger, Johann Caspar Kerll, Georg Muffat, Johann Ludwig Krebs, Michel Corrette, Nicolas Séjan, Guillaume Lasceux, and Alexandre Pierre François Boëly. Himawari Honda, a Japanese-born keyboardist based in Strasbourg, teaches organ and harpsichord at the Sarreguemines Conservatory and plays the keyboards of the Saint-Matthieu Protestant Church in Strasbourg. She is a laureate (2nd prize 2022) of the Pierre de Manchicourt International Organ Competition and a semi-finalist of the International Martini Organ Competition (Groningen, 2024). Free participation (collection).
July, August, September 2026
Three additional concerts are planned until the closing concert on Saturday, September 5, 2026 (in the evening). The names of the organists and detailed programs will be communicated by Culture 70 and the Association des Amis de l'Orgue in the weeks preceding each date. Contact: 03 84 40 06 41 (Ecclesia) or 03 84 40 58 99 (Amis de l'Orgue).
Highlights Samedis de l'Orgue 2026
- 5th season of the monthly event featuring the historic 1617 organ
- Opening concert on May 2, 2026, with Thierry Ferré (Metz Cathedral)
- Concert on June 13, 2026, with Himawari Honda — program «At the Crossroads of Styles»
- Free presentation of the organ at 11 AM before each concert
- Free admission to all concerts (except the closing concert)
Prices Samedis de l'Orgue 2026
Practical information — Samedis de l'Orgue
Access
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Basilica, Place Saint-Pierre, 70300 Luxeuil-les-Bains. In the city center, in immediate proximity to the thermal baths and L'Ecclesia.
By car: From Vesoul, follow the D6 then the N57 towards Luxeuil-les-Bains (approx. 30 min). Free parking in the city center.
By train: Lure station (TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté), then bus or car (20 min).
Prices
Full price: 10 EUR. Members of Culture 70 / Amis de l'Orgue: 5 EUR. Free for under 18s, students, and job seekers.
Schedule
11 a.m.: Organ presentation and introduction to the works. 5 p.m.: Concert (approx. 1 hour).
Contact
Information at 03 84 40 06 41 (Ecclesia - Luxeuil-les-Bains Tourist Office).
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Where does it take place — Samedis de l'Orgue
Basilique Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
Place Saint-Pierre, 70300 Luxeuil-les-Bains