Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence
Music for everyone in the Pays de Forcalquier
About RMHP
A chamber music festival in Haute-Provence since 1983
Created in 1983 by Marie-France and Jean-François Queyras, the Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence originated from a "Continuous Day of Chamber Music" offered free of charge at the Forcalquier Cathedral. Initiated by young musicians Pierre-Olivier and Jean-Guihen Queyras, then students at the Higher Conservatories of Lyon and Freiburg in Germany, this day offered four to five hours of music in a free, joyful, and varied program.
The Spirit of the Encounters
The name "Rencontres Musicales" (Musical Encounters) reflects the very essence of the festival: internationally renowned musicians gather every summer for about fifteen days in Forcalquier to live, work, and play together in an atmosphere of sharing and musical deepening. The public rehearsals, free impromptus, and dawn concerts are all privileged moments that bring artists and the public closer. Véronique Marin and Gesine Meyer-Eggen fully participated in the artistic development and programming from the late 1980s onwards.
Exceptional Heritage Sites
Concerts take place in emblematic sites of Haute-Provence: the Cloister of the Cordeliers Convent in Forcalquier, the main venue of the festival with remarkable acoustics, the Citadel of Forcalquier for dawn concerts, and the Gardens of the Priory of Salagon in Mane. The Salle Pierre Michel on Place du Bourguet also hosts conferences and meetings. In case of bad weather, the Espace Culturel de la Bonne Fontaine serves as a fallback venue.
A Demanding and Varied Program
The repertoire honors tradition while embracing contemporary creation. Works by Mozart, Brahms, Dvořák, Debussy, Chausson, Boccherini, Ligeti, Messiaen, and Pierre Boulez are presented alongside original creations and unique musical encounters. The 37th edition (2025) paid a vibrant tribute to Pierre Boulez on the centenary of his birth, while also welcoming guitarist Emmanuel Rossfelder and percussionist Keyvan Chemirani. The programming alternates string quartets, morning concerts, themed evenings, and continuous days open to all.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
The Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence association, established in 1990, aims to open access to musical culture to the widest possible audience. The festival also offers hiking concerts on Montagne de Lure, off-season concerts in surrounding villages (Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues, Pierrerue, Ongles, Montlaux), and cultural mediation activities. Supported by the City of Forcalquier, local authorities, and private patrons, it remains a must-attend event of the Provençal musical summer.
RMHP — edition 2026
The 38th edition of the Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence takes place from July 19 to 24, 2026 in Forcalquier and in the heritage sites of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. On the program: six chamber music concerts at the Couvent des Cordeliers, the Prieuré de Salagon in Mane and the Citadelle de Forcalquier, featuring the Queyras families and some forty guests, with a repertoire blending classical, romantic, baroque and contemporary creation.
38th edition – July 19 to 24, 2026
The Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence return for their 38th edition from July 19 to 24, 2026 in Forcalquier. Faithful to their spirit of sharing, they bring together internationally renowned musicians who live, rehearse and play together for a week in the heritage sites of Haute-Provence: the Cloître du Couvent des Cordeliers in Forcalquier, the Prieuré de Salagon in Mane and the Citadelle de Forcalquier.
The 2026 program notably brings together Jean-Guihen Queyras and Gesine Queyras (cellos), Pierre-Olivier Queyras and Romane Queyras (violins), violinist Christine Busch, soprano Monika Eder, pianist Pierre-François Blanchard, saxophonist Raphaël Imbert and percussionist Sonny Troupé, surrounded by an ensemble of about twenty strings (violins, violas, cellos). The repertoire honors tradition (Mozart, Brahms, Dvořák, Debussy, Chausson, Boccherini) while opening up to contemporary creation.
As every year, public rehearsals and impromptu performances complement the evening concerts and extend the encounter between artists and the public.
Programme RMHP 2026
Saturday, July 19, 2026 — Forcalquier
Opening of the 38th edition.
Monday, July 20, 2026 — « Schubertiade »
Prieuré de Salagon, Mane.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — « Symphonie concertante »
Prieuré de Salagon, Mane.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 — « Nuit des 4 saisons »
Couvent des Cordeliers, Forcalquier.
Thursday, July 23, 2026 — « Fratres »
Couvent des Cordeliers, Forcalquier.
Friday, July 24, 2026 — « Sérénade »
Closing concert.
Guest artists 2026: Christine Busch, Pierre-Olivier Queyras, Romane Queyras, Alexis Gomez, Aya Murakami, Wakana Noguchi, Nicolas Sublet, Adèle Winckler (violins); Agathe Blondel, Benjamin Fabre, Irénée Krumenacker, Katya Polin (violas); Jean-Guihen Queyras, Gesine Queyras, Cyrielle Golin, David Louwerse (cellos); Monika Eder (soprano), Pierre-François Blanchard (piano), Raphaël Imbert (saxophone), Sonny Troupé (percussion). Detailed schedule to be published on the official website.
Highlights RMHP 2026
- 38th edition of this chamber music festival founded in 1983
- Six concerts from July 19 to 24, 2026 at the Couvent des Cordeliers, the Prieuré de Salagon and the Citadelle de Forcalquier
- The Queyras families (Jean-Guihen, Gesine, Pierre-Olivier, Romane) surrounded by some forty guest musicians
- Off-season concert on April 11, 2026: Farnaz Modarresifar (santour) and Pierre-Olivier Queyras (violin)
- Public rehearsals and impromptu performances with free admission
Prices RMHP 2026
Practical information — RMHP
Access
The festival primarily takes place at the Cloister of the Cordeliers Convent, rue des Cordeliers, in Forcalquier (04300), Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
- By car: From Aix-en-Provence (100 km), take the A51 then N96/D4096 towards Forcalquier. From Avignon (120 km), take the A7 then D900 towards Apt and Forcalquier. Free parking in the town center.
- By public transport: TGV station in Aix-en-Provence, then LER shuttle to Forcalquier.
- PRM accessibility: Access by elevator upon request (contact: 06 08 31 63 07).
Prices
Evening concerts: full price €26, member price €23, reduced price €13. The Continuous Day and impromptus are free admission. Season tickets are available for the entire week.
Ticketing
Online at HelloAsso, at the Forcalquier Tourist Office, or on-site on the evening of the concerts.
Contact
- Phone: 06 60 79 34 24
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.rmhp.fr
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Where does it take place — RMHP
Cloître du Couvent des Cordeliers
Cloître du Couvent des Cordeliers, rue des Cordeliers, 04300 Forcalquier