Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence

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.