Préludia Festival
Classical and contemporary music in the historic landmarks of the Allier region
About Préludia
When music meets heritage
The Festival Préludia was born from the shared passion of a group of music lovers from the Bourbonnais and Île-de-France regions, who founded the Préludia association in late 2016 with the goal of promoting music and the arts in connection with heritage. Based in Moulins, the prefecture of the Allier, the festival takes over sites of historical importance to bring the finest classical repertoire and beyond to life.
Numerous heritage sites across the region host concerts, ranging from churches to historic manors and castles in the surrounding towns, allowing the public to discover the architectural richness of the Bourbonnais while enjoying exceptional musical moments.
A program blending classical and contemporary music
The Festival Préludia's programming is defined by its desire to build bridges between eras and musical genres. True to the association's mission, the festival blends classical music—from Baroque to Romantic—with contemporary music. Concerts showcase high-level chamber ensembles, soloists, and vocal and instrumental groups in a warm and accessible atmosphere.
The Préludia association is also committed to sharing knowledge about works and composers by offering opportunities for exchange with artists and providing context for the programs, helping the audience better appreciate the performances. Lectures and participatory events round out the musical program.
A festival on a human scale
The Festival Préludia cultivates the art of intimacy. Whether in the Chapelle Saint-Joseph in Moulins or in the churches of neighboring villages, the audience is brought close to the musicians, creating a rare sense of closeness that fosters deep listening and emotion. This human dimension, combined with the quality of the performers and the beauty of the venues, makes Préludia a cherished event for live music lovers in the Allier.
Préludia — edition 2026
For its 2026 season, the Festival Préludia presents a series of concerts from July to October, hosted in the historic landmarks of the Bourbonnais region, including chapels, churches, castles, the Centre national du costume et de la scène (CNCS), and the Moulins Cathedral.
2026 Edition
For the 2026 season, Festival Préludia is hosting a series of concerts from July through October across various heritage sites in Bourbonnais. Each event brings together internationally acclaimed musicians and local artists in venues selected for their exceptional acoustics and architectural beauty.
The summer season kicks off on July 7th at the CNCS in Moulins to celebrate the institution's 20th anniversary. This concert-performance will feature violinist Amanda Favier and the Citadelle Quartet performing Haydn's "The Sunrise" and Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," accompanied by costumes crafted by François Tamarin (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) and narration by Nicolas Vaude. Admission is free. The season concludes on October 10th at the Moulins Cathedral with Handel's "Messiah."
The association also continues its musical outreach efforts, offering opportunities for the public to engage directly with the artists.
Programme Préludia 2026
2026 Season
- July 7 — CNCS, Moulins: 20th Anniversary concert-performance, "Saisons cousues main" (Amanda Favier, violin; Citadelle Quartet — Haydn's "The Sunrise", Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons"; costumes by François Tamarin; narration by Nicolas Vaude). Free admission.
- July 11 — Église Saint-Fiacre, Monétay-sur-Allier
- July 24 — Château de Charnes, Marigny
- July 28 — Vieux Melays, Neuvy
- August 15 — Château d'Avrilly, Trévol
- August 21 — Château Saint-Géran, Saint-Gérand-de-Vaux
- August 28 — Chapelle Saint-Joseph, Moulins
- September 5 — Château de Saligny-sur-Roudon
- October 10 — Moulins Cathedral: Handel's "Messiah" (closing concert)
A season prelude took place on March 29th at the Prieuré Saint-Germain. Full program details and bookings are available on the association's website.
Highlights Préludia 2026
- 2026 season running from July to October in Bourbonnais (Allier)
- Opening concert on July 7 at the CNCS in Moulins (CNCS 20th anniversary), free admission
- Concerts held in local chapels, churches, and castles
- Closing concert on October 10 at the Moulins Cathedral: Handel's "Messiah"
- Opportunities for interaction between artists and the audience
Prices Préludia 2026
Practical information — Préludia
Practical Information
Access
Moulins, the prefecture of the Allier, is located in the north of the department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The city is accessible by road (A71, N7) and by train, via the Moulins-sur-Allier station on the Paris—Clermont-Ferrand line. Other concerts are held in towns throughout the Bourbonnais, in the vicinity of Moulins.
Concert Venues
Concerts take place in heritage sites across the Bourbonnais: the Chapelle Saint-Joseph and the Centre national du costume et de la scène (CNCS) in Moulins, as well as churches, castles, and historic manors in surrounding towns (Monétay-sur-Allier, Marigny, Neuvy, Trévol, Saint-Gérand-de-Vaux, Saligny-sur-Roudon), and the Moulins Cathedral.
Tickets
Standard price: 20 euros. 8 euros for ages 12-25. Free for children under 12. Some concerts offer free admission. A pass reserved for association members offers discounted rates for 3 or more concerts.
Dates
The concert season runs from July to September, with a closing concert on October 10, 2026, at the Moulins Cathedral, where Préludia will present Handel's Messiah. Please check the detailed program on the association's website.
Contact
Association Préludia — Maison des associations, 5 impasse Dieudonné Costes, 03000 Moulins. Website: preludia-musique.org — Email: [email protected] — Phone: 07 64 40 80 16. Information is also available from the Moulins and Region Tourist Office.
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Where does it take place — Préludia
Moulins et lieux patrimoniaux du Bourbonnais
Maison des associations, 5 impasse Dieudonné Costes, 03000 Moulins, 03000 Moulins