Perpignan Sacred Music Festival
Sacred Music in the historic landmarks of Perpignan, open to all
2026
About Sacred Music
Founded in 1987, the Festival de Musique Sacrée de Perpignan has become a cornerstone of the Catalan spring. For three weeks between March and April, the festival hosts around fifty events—including concerts, lectures, and exhibitions—within the churches and historic sites of Perpignan. Organized by the City of Perpignan and directed by Élisabeth Dooms, this free and accessible festival celebrates sacred music in all its forms, from Gregorian chant to contemporary works, as well as great classical masterpieces and world music.
Sacred Music — edition 2026
40th edition - March 16 to April 4, 2026
The Perpignan Sacred Music Festival celebrates its 40th spring from March 16 to April 4, 2026, under the theme of 'Joy'. This anniversary edition features 50 events and 20 concerts in the churches and heritage sites of Perpignan.
Program highlights
- 'The Waves of Light' (March 27): an exceptional musical encounter between a jazz musician and a renowned choir
- 'Post Tenebras' (March 28): a creation celebrating Venetian and Greek artistic vitality in the 17th century
- 'Samâ-Ï, Aleppo the Cosmopolitan' (March 29): the sublime beauty of ancient music from Aleppo
Highlights Sacred Music 2026
Highlights of the 2026 edition
- 40th anniversary of the festival
- Theme of 'Joy'
- 50 events and 20 concerts
- Concerts in the churches of Dominicans, Saint-Jacques, and the Cathedral
Prices Sacred Music 2026
Sacred Music — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 16 March to 4 April 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Sacred Music
Practical information
Access and transport
By car: Perpignan is accessible via the A9 motorway. The concert venues are located in the historic center, within walking distance of the Castillet, Wilson, and République car parks.
By train: Perpignan station is served by the TGV from Paris and by TER from Montpellier and Toulouse. The historic center is a 15-minute walk from the station.
Concert venues
- Dominicans Church: Rue Rabelais, 66000 Perpignan
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral: Place Gambetta, 66000 Perpignan
- Théâtre de l'Archipel: Avenue Général Leclerc, 66000 Perpignan
Ticketing
Most events are free. Paid concerts (from 1 to 32 euros) are available through the Perpignan Tourist Office and the Théâtre de l'Archipel ticket office. Contact: [email protected].
Accommodation
Perpignan has a varied hotel offering. The Tourist Office can assist you with your search at 04 68 66 30 30.
Festival de Musique Sacrée: Spirituality through music
Since 1987, the Festival de Musique Sacrée de Perpignan has invited the public to a unique experience blending spirituality, heritage, and musical excellence. Every spring, for three weeks, the churches and historic landmarks of Perpignan resonate with sacred music in all its diverse forms.
A festival at the heart of Perpignan's heritage
Concerts are held in the most beautiful religious and cultural buildings in Perpignan:
- Église des Dominicains: a 14th-century Gothic jewel
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste: seat of the bishopric
- Église Saint-Jacques: birthplace of the Procession de la Sanch
- Théâtre de l'Archipel: Perpignan's national stage
- Campo Santo: a medieval cloister
These exceptional venues offer remarkable acoustics and an atmosphere conducive to reflection and musical emotion.
An eclectic and high-standard program
The festival explores sacred music in all its diversity: Gregorian chant, medieval polyphony, great Baroque and classical works (Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel), contemporary creations, sacred music from the East and West, as well as gospel and spirituals. Each edition is built around a theme that guides the programming and provides artistic coherence to the whole.
A free and popular festival
True to its mission as a popular and accessible festival, the Musique Sacrée de Perpignan offers the majority of its events free of charge. Paid concerts are available at very affordable prices, ranging from 1 to 32 euros, allowing as many people as possible to discover the richness of sacred music.
40 years of sacred music in 2026
In 2026, the festival celebrates its 40th spring with an exceptional edition themed around "Joy." This anniversary edition features 50 events and 20 concerts throughout the city, demonstrating the vitality and ambition of this unique festival in the French cultural landscape.
Where does it take place — Sacred Music
Sacred Music in brief
History of Sacred Music
Edition 2025 Apr 2025Other festivals near Perpignan
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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