Provence International Chamber Music Festival
Thirty leading soloists gathered each summer at the Chateau de l'Emperi in Salon-de-Provence
About Musique a l'Emperi
A festival founded by three virtuosos
The Provence International Chamber Music Festival was born in 1993 from the friendship and shared passion of three exceptional musicians: pianist Eric Le Sage, clarinettist Paul Meyer, and flautist Emmanuel Pahud. These three virtuosos, who are among the greatest soloists of their generation, wanted to create a meeting place where chamber music would be performed with intimacy, conviviality, and artistic excellence.
The Chateau de l'Emperi, an exceptional setting
The Chateau de l'Emperi, a medieval fortress from the 12th-16th century perched on the rock of Puech in Salon-de-Provence, offers a unique setting for chamber music. Its Renaissance courtyard, with its remarkable acoustics, is the main venue for the summer concerts. The Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, the eglise Saint-Michel, and the temple Portail Coucou also host concerts, offering a diversity of settings and atmospheres.
A top-tier program
Each edition brings together around thirty international soloists for an original program that dialogues between the great works of the repertoire — from Mozart to Ravel, from Beethoven to Brahms — and lesser-known or contemporary pieces. The ensembles vary from duos to large ensembles, offering a rich and varied sound palette. The limited capacity of the Emperi courtyard and other venues ensures exceptional proximity between musicians and the audience.
European reach
In three decades, the festival has become one of the major events for chamber music in Europe, attracting audiences with the quality of its programming, the prestige of its performers, and the beauty of its venues. Concerts are regularly sold out, demonstrating the loyalty of a knowledgeable audience from all over France and abroad.
Musique a l'Emperi — edition 2026
34th edition of the Festival International de Musique de Chambre de Provence ("Musique à l'Empéri"), from August 1st to 9th, 2026 in Salon-de-Provence. Around twenty chamber music concerts bringing together a hundred internationally renowned soloists at the Château de l'Empéri, the Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, and the Temple du Portail Coucou.
34th edition: the summer of chamber music
The 34th edition of the Festival International de Musique de Chambre de Provence takes place from August 1st to 9th, 2026 in Salon-de-Provence. For nine days, a hundred leading soloists will perform in turn at the Château de l'Empéri, the Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, and the Temple du Portail Coucou for around twenty chamber music concerts, in the intimate and friendly atmosphere that has been the festival's hallmark since its creation in 1993 by Éric Le Sage, Paul Meyer, and Emmanuel Pahud.
The 2026 program brings together major repertoire works and rarer pieces, from Bach's cello suites to Schubert's "Trout" Quintet, including Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale performed with a narrator. The thematic evenings ("West Side Story", "Château populaire", "La grande Soirée", "Schubert, Mozart – Grand final") punctuate the week until Schubert's grand octet closes the edition on August 9th.
Among the artists expected in 2026 are pianists Éric Le Sage, Béatrice Rana, Alessio Bax, Frank Braley, Seong-Jin Cho, and Roger Muraro; wind players Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Paul Meyer (clarinet), and François Leleux (oboe); cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras; violinist Karen Gomyo; as well as the Arod, Van Kuijk, Zaïde, and Mona quartets and the Trio Karénine.
Programme Musique a l'Emperi 2026
From August 1st to 9th, 2026 — Château de l'Empéri, Abbaye de Sainte-Croix and Temple du Portail Coucou
Around twenty concerts spread across the three heritage sites of Salon-de-Provence. Concerts at the Château de l'Empéri (program communicated by the organizer):
- Sat. August 1st — 9:00 PM · "The Art of Fugue" — Marimba Overture
- Sun. August 2nd — 7:00 PM · "Château Trombone"
- Sun. August 2nd — 9:00 PM · "West Side Story"
- Mon. August 3rd — 9:00 PM · "Full sentimental"
- Tue. August 4th — 9:00 PM · "Château Populaire"
- Wed. August 5th — 9:00 PM · "La grande Soirée"
- Thu. August 6th — 9:00 PM · "The Soldier's Tale" (Stravinsky, with narrator)
- Sat. August 8th — 9:00 PM · "Château bémol majeur"
- Sun. August 9th — 7:00 PM · "Buffet Crampon presents Yebin Seo"
- Sun. August 9th — 9:00 PM · "Schubert, Mozart — Grand final" (Schubert's octet)
Other concerts are held at the Abbaye de Sainte-Croix and the Temple du Portail Coucou. Full program and detailed schedule on the official website and ticket office.
Highlights Musique a l'Emperi 2026
- 34th edition of one of Europe's major chamber music events
- A hundred international soloists (Le Sage, Pahud, Meyer, Queyras, Rana, Bax, Seong-Jin Cho…)
- Exceptional heritage setting: Château de l'Empéri, Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, Temple du Portail Coucou
- Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale with narrator and Schubert's grand octet as the closing performance
Prices Musique a l'Emperi 2026
Practical information — Musique a l'Emperi
Practical information
Access
The festival takes place at the Chateau de l'Emperi and in various venues in Salon-de-Provence.
- By car: Salon-de-Provence is accessible via the A7 (Salon-de-Provence exit) from Lyon, Marseille, or Aix-en-Provence.
- By train: Aix-en-Provence TGV station (30 km away), then shuttle or car.
Times
- Evening concerts, generally at 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM.
Prices
- Concerts: from 15 to 40 euros depending on the concert
- Subscriptions and passes available
Contact
- Website: festival-salon.fr
- Phone: 04 90 56 00 82 (Théâtre Armand)
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Musique a l'Emperi
Chateau de l'Emperi
Montee du Puech, 13300 Salon-de-Provence