Oloron Organ Festival

Oloron Organ Festival: Sacred Music at the Heart of Béarn's Heritage

The Oloron Organ Festival celebrates every summer the rich organ heritage of Oloron-Sainte-Marie through a series of concerts, recitals, and masterclasses. Supported by the association Oloron.Orgues, this festival highlights the town's historic instruments — particularly the organ of the Sainte-Marie Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.

Internationally Renowned Organists

Each edition of the festival invites leading organists for recitals and concerts in the churches of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and the surrounding area. The 2025 edition notably hosted Philippe Lefebvre, a master of organ improvisation, and Johann Vexo, an international concert artist, for recitals at Sainte-Marie Cathedral.

Varied Programs

Beyond solo organ recitals, the festival offers programs combining the organ with other instruments: "Celestial Harmonies" concerts with viola and organ (Manon Steffann), and the "Return of the Sun" program with sackbut and organ (Timothée Ducharme). These original ensembles offer a new perspective on the baroque and classical repertoire.

Exceptional Masterclasses

The festival hosts masterclasses led by invited organists, bringing together about fifteen students from around the world. These intensive working sessions conclude with a performance concert at the cathedral, giving the public the opportunity to discover young organists with diverse backgrounds and remarkable talent.

A Festival in Heritage Sites

The festival's concerts take place in several places of worship in Oloron-Sainte-Marie and the surrounding area: the Sainte-Marie Cathedral, a jewel of Romanesque art with a UNESCO-listed portal, the Sainte-Croix church, and the Mauléon church. These buildings offer exceptional acoustics and a solemn setting conducive to organ music.

Accessible Prices

The festival maintains an accessible pricing policy: full price at €12, reduced price at €6, and free for under 18s. Some concerts operate on a free participation basis with a suggested donation of €12, promoting access for as many people as possible to organ music.