Musical Labyrinth in Rouergue
Baroque and Classical Music Festival in Villefranche-de-Rouergue
About Musical Labyrinth
A Festival Born from Villefranche's Musical Heritage
Created in 2012, the Musical Labyrinth in Rouergue is an atypical festival that explores the unsuspected musical riches of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The town indeed preserves two exceptional heritage treasures: the anonymous baroque scores from the archives of the Pénitents Noirs, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the second largest public collection of jazz in France. It is at the crossroads of these two legacies that the festival builds its unique programming.
Unexpected Musical Encounters
The uniqueness of the Musical Labyrinth lies in its desire to create unexpected musical encounters between baroque music, classical music, and jazz. Each edition features:
- Four major concerts of instrumental and choral music in the historic buildings of Villefranche: Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, Église des Augustins, Collégiale Notre-Dame, Halle médiévale.
- Programs mixing works by Couperin, Corelli, Telemann, C.P.E. Bach and contemporary composers.
- Pieces from the anonymous archives of the Pénitents Noirs, rediscovered and performed for the first time.
- Dialogues between ancient music and jazz, reflecting the dual musical identity of Villefranche.
Workshops and Transmission
The festival places great importance on transmission and musical practice:
- Choral singing workshops open to all, led by professional choir directors.
- Serpent workshops: introduction to this ancient wind instrument, emblematic of the sacred baroque repertoire.
- Baroque dance workshops: learning the court dances of the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Public performance: on the last day, participants present the results of their work in a show open to all at the Halle de Villefranche.
The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, a Baroque Jewel
The emblematic venue of the festival is the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, a masterpiece of Occitan baroque art. Built in the 17th century, it houses an exceptional painted decoration of over 1,000 m2 depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. It was in its archives that the anonymous scores inspiring the festival were discovered. The remarkable acoustics of this place make it an ideal setting for early music concerts.
Musical Labyrinth — edition 2026
The 15th edition of the Labyrinthe Musical en Rouergue takes place from July 27th to August 16th, 2026, in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron. On the program: concerts of baroque, classical, jazz, and world music in the historic buildings of the royal bastide (Église des Augustins, Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs), as well as workshops for baroque dance, theater, choral singing, and ancient instruments from August 10th to 16th.
2026 Edition — From July 27th to August 16th
The 15th edition of the Labyrinthe Musical en Rouergue takes place from July 27th to August 16th, 2026, in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. True to its spirit of unexpected musical encounters, the festival brings together renowned artists and new talents in the heritage buildings of the royal bastide, blending baroque, classical, jazz, world music, dance, theater, and contemporary creation.
Two highlights punctuate the program: a first block of concerts on July 27th and 29th, followed by a second week from August 10th to 16th combining evening concerts and musical practice workshops (baroque dance, theater, choral singing, viola da gamba, guitars-lutes-theorbo-vihuela). The public presentation by the trainees concludes the week.
Programme Musical Labyrinth 2026
Monday, July 27th — Église des Augustins, 9 PM
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons — Ludovic Michel, Cyril Baleton and Afaf Robilliard.
Wednesday, July 29th — Église des Augustins, 9 PM
Zafrani (trio) — world music.
Tuesday, August 11th — Église des Augustins, 9 PM
Blossom — Airelle Besson & Lionel Suarez (jazz / contemporary creation).
Wednesday, August 12th — Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, 9 PM
Philippe Alègre — Chopin recital.
Thursday, August 13th — Église des Augustins, 9 PM
Florilâme — English baroque.
Friday, August 14th — Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, 9 PM
Do Montebello — traditional music.
Saturday, August 15th — Église des Augustins, 6 PM
Nora and Mishel Kostenko — piano four hands.
Sunday, August 16th — Salle des Fêtes de la Madeleine, 8:30 PM
Les Frangins — electro-guinguette.
Workshops — August 10th to 16th
Baroque dance, theater, choral singing ("Voces del Siglo de Oro"), viola da gamba, guitars / lutes / theorbo / vihuela. Public presentation on Saturday, August 15th.
Highlights Musical Labyrinth 2026
- Concerts of baroque and classical music
- Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and Église des Augustins
- Choral singing, serpent, and baroque dance workshops
- Public performance at the Halle de Villefranche
Prices Musical Labyrinth 2026
Practical information — Musical Labyrinth
Practical Information
Concert Venues
- Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs: Main concerts.
- Église des Augustins: Concerts.
- Halle de Villefranche: Workshop performances.
- Château de Bournazel: Off-site concert (certain editions).
Prices
- Full price: 20 euros per concert.
- Reduced price: 12 euros.
- Under 25s: Free.
- Documentary screening: 5 euros.
Access
- By car: D922 from Rodez (60 km) or D911 from Albi (70 km).
- By train: Villefranche-de-Rouergue station (Toulouse-Rodez line).
Contact
- Website: labyrinthemusicalenrouergue.com
- Ticketing: labyrinthemusicalenrouergue.festik.net
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Where does it take place — Musical Labyrinth
Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs / Édifices historiques de Villefranche
Office de Tourisme - BP 239, 12202 Villefranche-de-Rouergue Cedex, 12200 Villefranche-de-Rouergue