Rencontres de Lutherie et Musiques Médiévales

A unique festival dedicated to medieval lute making

The Rencontres de Lutherie et Musiques Médiévales is a festival dedicated to instrument making and music from the Middle Ages, organized in the historic town of Largentière, in southern Ardèche. Created in 2009 by the association Au-Delà du Temps, based in Largentière since 2006 and recognized as being of general interest, this festival was relaunched in 2016 with the support of prestigious partners: the Caverne du Pont d'Arc, the Musée de la Musique de Paris, and the Université de Montpellier 3.

Luthiers and instrument makers from around the world

The heart of the Rencontres is the presence of over twenty medieval instrument makers from France and abroad. These exceptional artisans exhibit and present their know-how: bowed vielles, rebecs, psalteries, portative organs, lutes, medieval harps, and other instruments reconstructed from iconographic sources and ancient treatises. The public can discover the manufacturing techniques, touch the instruments, and interact with the makers in an atmosphere of sharing and transmission.

Concerts, conferences, and workshops

The Rencontres offer a rich and varied program structured around several themes. Medieval music concerts take place in the churches, squares, and streets of Largentière, highlighting the repertoire of troubadours, trouvères, and medieval sacred music. Academic conferences, coordinated by APEMUTAM (Association for the Study of Music and Techniques in Medieval Art), provide scientific insights into the organology, musical iconography, and instrumental practices of the Middle Ages.

The town of Largentière, an authentic medieval setting

Largentière, the former capital of medieval Vivarais, offers an exceptional historical setting for this festival. Its medieval streets, its castle, its corbelled houses, and its Romanesque church form an authentic backdrop that transports visitors to the heart of the Middle Ages. Musicians play in the town's squares and bars, musical sessions are improvised in restaurants, and introductions to medieval dances liven up the evenings. Historical walks allow visitors to discover the architectural heritage of the town.

An event marked by conviviality

The Rencontres de Lutherie et Musiques Médiévales are characterized by conviviality and artistic excellence. The festival attracts both specialists—musicologists, luthiers, professional musicians—and amateurs and the curious, creating a unique meeting place between academic knowledge, art craftsmanship, and musical pleasure. The association Au-Delà du Temps, with its 35 active members and numerous volunteers, carries this project with passion and determination, contributing to the cultural influence of Largentière and southern Ardèche.