Musiciennes à Ouessant
Festival of feminine classical music on the island of Ouessant
About Musiciennes à Ouessant
The Island of Women Celebrates Forgotten Female Composers
Musiciennes à Ouessant is a classical music festival founded in 2001 by pianist Lydia Jardon on the island of Ouessant, off the coast of Finistère. This Breton island, nicknamed 'the island of women' due to the maritime tradition where men would go to sea, has become the setting for a unique tribute to the forgotten female composers in music history.
An Original Concept: Classical Music and Celtic Harmonies
The festival is based on a strong and original concept: the marriage of Celtic instruments and harmonies with classical music. This musical hybridization, rooted in the Breton territory, creates a unique sonic experience that distinguishes Musiciennes à Ouessant from all other classical music festivals. The works of little-known or unjustly forgotten female composers are presented alongside those of the great masters, in a dialogue between past and present, between Celtic tradition and contemporary creation.
Exceptional Concert Venues
The concerts take place in emblematic locations on the island of Ouessant: the Saint-Pol Aurélien church, which hosts the majority of concerts in a remarkable acoustic setting, the Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa for more intimate concerts, and the Stiff lighthouse, a magical place at the end of the world where music dialogues with the elements.
A Feminist and Artistic Commitment
Since its creation, the festival has honored 21 female composers from different eras and countries. Over 130 concerts have been given by 170 different artists, making Musiciennes à Ouessant a major player in the rediscovery of the female musical heritage. The festival is part of a feminist and artistic approach, contributing to rewriting the history of music by making women's creations visible.
The Ondine Ouessant-Bretagne Association
The festival is supported by the Ondine Ouessant-Bretagne association, founded in 2002 by Lydia Jardon. Beyond the Ouessant festival, the association has expanded with the creation of Musiciennes en Guadeloupe (2012), Musiciennes en Martinique (2016), and Musiciennes à Paris 13, applying the same concept in other territories. Lydia Jardon has been the artistic and general director of the festival, which she has led with passion and high standards for over twenty years.
Musiciennes à Ouessant — edition 2026
The 25th edition of Musiciennes à Ouessant takes place from August 3 to 6, 2026, celebrating a quarter-century of classical music by women on the island of Ouessant. On the program: 1 conference and 11 concerts bringing together about twenty artists across 3 venues, featuring composer Florentine Mulsant, patroness of the festival.
Musiciennes à Ouessant — 2026 Edition
For this 25th anniversary, from August 3 to 6, 2026, the festival founded in 2001 by pianist Lydia Jardon highlights forgotten female composers and the classical repertoire performed predominantly by women. Artists from various backgrounds play the works of great masters of the past alongside contemporary composers Florentine Mulsant (patroness of this edition) and Dominique Martin, as well as rediscovered composers such as Rita Strohl, Mel Bonis, and Marie Jaëll.
The edition brings together 11 public concerts, about twenty artists, the Ouessant choir and brass band, spread across 3 main venues. Due to the closure of the Saint-Pol Aurélien church, the majority of concerts are held at the Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa, with Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings taking place at the Salle Polyvalente.
Programme Musiciennes à Ouessant 2026
Monday, August 3, 2026
- 11:30 AM — Festival Presentation · Mairie de l'Île d'Ouessant
- 4:00 PM — « Legendary Women » · Lydia Jardon and Alexandra Matvievskaya (pianos) · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 9:00 PM — « Passionately Breizh » · Astrakan Project with the Ouessant choir · Salle Polyvalente
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- 11:00 AM — « Rita Strohl, 19th-century Breton composer played for the 1st time » · Alexandra Matvievskaya and Sarah Jacob · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 4:00 PM — « Breton Harmonies » · Lydia Jardon · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 9:00 PM — « Communion with 2 Celestial Voices » · Ensemble of 6 musicians · Salle Polyvalente
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- 11:00 AM — « Women Facing the Sea » · Les Fileuses vocal ensemble · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 4:00 PM — « In Unison with the Waves » · Yoko Ishikura (violin) · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 9:00 PM — « From the World of Childhood to Science Fiction » · Lydia Jardon and Alexandra Matvievskaya · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 4:00 PM — « Nocturnal Afternoon » · Alexandra Matvievskaya · Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- 9:00 PM — « Fred Guichen, star of the Breton accordion » with the Ouessant brass band · Salle Polyvalente
Highlights Musiciennes à Ouessant 2026
- 25th anniversary edition (festival founded in 2001 by Lydia Jardon)
- Florentine Mulsant, patroness of the edition, honored
- 11 concerts and 1 conference, about twenty artists across 3 venues
- Premiere: Rita Strohl, 19th-century Breton composer, played for the 1st time
- Participation of the Ouessant choir and brass band
Prices Musiciennes à Ouessant 2026
Practical information — Musiciennes à Ouessant
Access
The festival takes place on the island of Ouessant, accessible by boat from Brest (Le Conquet) or by plane from Brest-Bretagne. Ferry companies: Penn Ar Bed.
Concert Venues
- Saint-Pol Aurélien Church
- Hôtel Sport Ouessant & Spa
- Stiff Lighthouse
Prices
Tickets available on the Billetweb platform.
Contact
- Phone: 06 19 79 54 89
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: musiciennesaouessant.com
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Where does it take place — Musiciennes à Ouessant
Église Saint-Pol Aurélien / Phare du Stiff