Musique à la Prée

Thirty years of music in the heart of Berry

The Musique à la Prée festival was born from the encounter between a place steeped in history and the desire of the association Pour Que l'Esprit Vive to bring music to rural areas. In 1991, the association created an artistic residency at the Abbey of La Prée, a former Cistercian abbey founded in 1141, owned by the Petits Frères des Pauvres since 1954, who welcome the elderly there. As early as 1992, the first Musical Encounters around La Prée were launched under the artistic direction of Dominique de Williencourt, Nicolas Bacri, and Hélène Thiébault, laying the foundations for the current festival.

An exceptional heritage setting

The Abbey of La Prée, nestled in a green setting between Issoudun and Saint-Amand-Montrond, offers a unique setting for listening to music. Seven centuries of monastic history (1128-1792) have shaped this place imbued with serenity, whose natural acoustics enhance the timbres of the instruments. Far from the intimidating codes of large concert halls, the festival offers a refined musical experience, where the proximity between artists and the public creates a rare communion around music.

A demanding and eclectic program

Each year, the festival unfolds around a Pentecost weekend and eight Sunday concerts at 3 p.m. throughout the season. Under the artistic direction of Hortense Cartier-Bresson, the program explores repertoire ranging from Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven to 20th-century composers such as Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern. The 2025 edition pays homage to Vienna, the capital of classicism and musical avant-garde, through a subtle journey through time. The greatest names in chamber music—Pierre Fouchenneret, Marc Coppey, the Voce Quartet—perform in this unique intimacy.

Academy and transmission

Beyond the concerts, the festival develops a Music Academy during the Toussaint holidays, directed by violinist Pierre Fouchenneret, dedicated to training young musicians. Workshops in healthcare facilities extend the festival's social mission, true to the commitment of the association Pour Que l'Esprit Vive, which has been working since 1932 to bring art to life in living spaces and isolated territories.

A festival rooted in its territory

Musique à la Prée embodies a model of a demanding rural festival, where artistic quality meets Berry conviviality. Shared dinners between artists and spectators, the beauty of the abbey park, and the gentle evenings in the Indre contribute to making each concert a moment of grace, far from the hustle and bustle of large cities. The festival benefits from the support of the Departmental Council of Indre, the Centre-Val de Loire Region, and numerous institutional partners.