Menton Music Festival
Classical music under the stars, on the Parvis of the Saint-Michel Basilica
About Menton Festival
A festival born from a moment of wonder in 1949
The history of the Menton Music Festival began one afternoon in August 1949, when André Böröcz, invited by a friend, discovered the alleys of the old town and the deserted parvis of the Saint-Michel church. From a radio, the Second Partita for solo violin by Bach, performed by Jascha Heifetz, could be heard. This moment of grace, this encounter between music, baroque architecture, and Mediterranean light, became André Böröcz's quest: to relive this moment and share it with the whole world.
The Basilica Parvis: a unique baroque setting in the world
On August 5, 1950, the dream took shape: the Végh Quartet inaugurated the festival by performing works by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven on the Parvis of the Saint-Michel Archangel Basilica. This exceptional location, overlooking the Mediterranean from the old town of Menton, offers remarkable natural acoustics and a breathtaking baroque setting, with the polychrome facade of the basilica as a backdrop. The Palais de l'Europe and the Parc du Pian also host concerts.
Seventy-five years of musical excellence
Since its creation, the festival has hosted the most illustrious performers of classical music: Robert Casadesus, Wilhelm Kempff, Sviatoslav Richter, Maria-João Pirès, Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovich, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and Aldo Ciccolini. Under the artistic direction of Paul-Emmanuel Thomas since 2012, the festival continues this tradition of excellence by inviting the biggest names on the international stage and rising stars.
2024 Edition: Alexandre Tharaud, Fazil Say, and Renaud Capuçon
The 75th edition took place from July 27 to August 12, 2024. The parvis vibrated to the sounds of Alexandre Tharaud with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice conducted by Lionel Bringuier, of Fazil Say, the world-renowned Turkish pianist, of Nemanja Radulović and his Double Sens Orchestra, and of Renaud Capuçon accompanied by Guillaume Bellom for the closing. Flutist Lucie Horsch, tenor Pene Pati with Ensemble Il Pomo d'Oro, Kian Soltani, and Mao Fujita completed an exceptional lineup.
2025 Edition: the 76th edition continues the excellence
The 76th edition was held from July 22 to August 8, 2025, offering an exceptional program bringing together the greatest figures of the international classical scene and the rising stars of tomorrow on the Basilica Parvis, at the Palais de l'Europe, and at the Parc du Pian.
77th edition in 2026
The 77th edition of the Menton Music Festival is scheduled from July 25 to August 7, 2026, continuing more than seven decades of exceptional concerts under the Riviera stars.
Menton Festival — edition 2026
77th edition of the Menton Music Festival, from July 25 to August 7, 2026. Fifteen exceptional classical music concerts on the Esplanade of the Basilica Saint-Michel Archange (evening concerts) and at the Palais de l'Europe, notably featuring Gautier Capuçon, Leonidas Kavakos, Fazıl Say, and Alexandre Kantorow.
The 77th edition of the Menton Music Festival
From July 25 to August 7, 2026, the Menton Music Festival celebrates its 77th edition. True to its legacy of excellence and enchantment, the festival brings together the greatest international performers in two emblematic venues of the city: the Esplanade of the Basilica Saint-Michel Archange, a baroque setting open to the Mediterranean for the grand evening concerts, and the Palais de l'Europe for recitals and chamber music concerts.
The 2026 program notably features cellist Gautier Capuçon accompanied by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice conducted by Lionel Bringuier for the opening concert, violinist Leonidas Kavakos, pianists Fazıl Say and Alexandre Kantorow, as well as numerous ensembles and young laureates. A free component accompanies the festival, with « Le Before – Sing'in » and several pre-festival events.
Programme Menton Festival 2026
Pre-festival (free concerts)
- June 21 — Le Before, Sing'in · Paul Smith (free)
- July 24 — Ensemble Spark (free)
Concerts on the Esplanade of Saint-Michel Archange
- July 25 — Gautier Capuçon · Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice · Lionel Bringuier (conductor)
- July 28 — Neïma Naouri · Pablo Campos · The Amazing Keystone Big Band
- July 29 — Nicolas Altstaedt · Ensemble Jupiter · Thomas Dunford
- August 1 — Fazıl Say (piano)
- August 4 — Leonidas Kavakos (violin) · Enrico Pace (piano)
- August 5 — Ensemble I Gemelli · Emiliano Gonzalez Toro · Maximiliano Danta
- August 7 — Alexandre Kantorow (piano)
Concerts at the Palais de l'Europe
- July 26 — Duo Jatekok
- July 27 — Concert of the Gautier Capuçon Foundation Laureates
- July 30 — Concert « Concertos »
- July 31 — Fanny Azzuro · Popaul Amisi
- August 2 — Concert « Concertos »
- August 3 — Marie-Laure Garnier · Célia Oneto Bensaid
- August 6 — Vassilena Serafimova · Thomas Enhco
Highlights Menton Festival 2026
- Opening concert on July 25 with Gautier Capuçon and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice (cond. Lionel Bringuier)
- Recitals by pianists Fazıl Say (August 1) and Alexandre Kantorow (August 7, closing)
- Violinist Leonidas Kavakos with Enrico Pace (August 4)
- Evening concerts under the stars on the Esplanade of the Basilica Saint-Michel, facing the Mediterranean
Prices Menton Festival 2026
Practical information — Menton Festival
Access
Concerts mainly take place on the Parvis of the Saint-Michel Archangel Basilica, in the old town of Menton, as well as at the Palais de l'Europe and the Parc du Pian.
- By train: Menton SNCF station (Nice-Vintimille line), a 10-minute walk from the old town.
- By car: A8 motorway exit Menton. Parking in the city center.
- By bus: Zest network. Line 100 from Nice.
Prices
- Parvis Concerts: from 25 to 50 euros depending on categories
- Palais de l'Europe Concerts: from 20 to 35 euros
- Reduced rate: students and young people
Ticketing
Book online on the official website festival-musique-menton.fr.
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Where does it take place — Menton Festival
Parvis de la Basilique Saint-Michel Archange
Parvis de la Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, 06500 Menton