Rencontres Musicales de Noyers
Classical music festival and summer academy in Noyers-sur-Serein
About Musicales de Noyers
A classical music festival in the heart of a medieval gem
Since 1990, the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers have transformed the village of Noyers-sur-Serein into the Burgundian capital of classical music every summer. Founded by Emmanuel de Malézieux, this festival combines the artistic excellence of the world's greatest stages with the unique atmosphere of a medieval village listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
For three weeks in July, the Gothic church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built between 1491 and 1515, becomes an intimate concert hall with a capacity of around 400 seats, whose natural acoustics enhance chamber music. Concerts and public masterclasses follow one another in an architectural setting that has remained unchanged since the late Middle Ages.
An international summer academy of excellence
Beyond the concerts, the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers is one of Burgundy's most renowned summer academies. Advanced or professional musicians come to perfect their interpretation under the guidance of recognized masters in the following disciplines:
- Violin — led by Olivier Charlier, one of the most admired French violinists of his generation
- Cello — under the direction of Gary Hoffman, considered one of the greatest contemporary cellists
- Flute — with Juliette Hurel, the festival's artistic advisor and a world-renowned flutist
- Piano — coached by Anne Queffélec, the festival's honorary president, a legendary Franco-British pianist
- Opera singing — led by Melanie Jackson, an international soprano
The masterclasses, open to the public, welcome a maximum of twelve students per class. Students benefit from three hours of lessons spread over several sessions, assisted by an experienced accompanying pianist for solo instruments. The academy week concludes with 'Young Talents' concerts, free and open to all, where students showcase the results of their work.
Programming from baroque to contemporary
The programming of the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers covers a vast spectrum of the Western repertoire, from the baroque period to contemporary creations. Evening concerts, usually at 8:30 PM, feature recitals by soloists or chamber ensembles highlighting major works: sonatas by Beethoven, Mozart, and Debussy for piano and violin, cello suites by Bach, works for flute and guitar by Piazzolla, Ravel, Albéniz, and Ibert, romantic pieces by Chopin, Liszt, and Fauré.
The festival opens each year with a concert for young audiences on the first Saturday at 4 PM, with free admission, designed to introduce younger children to classical music in a friendly atmosphere. Original ensembles such as wind quintets or Irish and Scottish traditional music groups diversify the offerings, reflecting the musical open-mindedness that has characterized this festival since its inception.
Artists loyal to Noyers
For over thirty years, the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers has hosted some 1,500 musicians and organized over 280 concerts. Leading artists return regularly: Anne Queffélec, the artistic soul of the festival; Olivier Charlier, whose violinistic elegance perfectly suits the intimacy of the venue; Gary Hoffman, whose velvety tone fills the Gothic nave; Juliette Hurel, whose crystalline timbre resonates under the medieval vaults. This core of loyal artists gives the festival a coherent musical identity and consistently high quality of performance.
The Grands Crus of Burgundy: when wine extends the music
Located at the gateway to Chablisien, within the cultural and geographical sphere of the great vineyards of Northern Burgundy, Noyers-sur-Serein naturally combines music and gastronomy. After each concert, local winemakers offer a tasting of their wines at the foot of the church's bell tower, in the village's cobbled streets.
This tradition makes the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers one of the stops on the constellation of the Festival Musical des Grands Crus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a network that has brought together several festivals combining classical music and the discovery of Burgundian wine terroirs for thirty years: De Bach à Bacchus in Meursault, Musique au Chambertin in Gevrey-Chambertin, du Chablisien à Chablis, and many others. The Rencontres Musicales de Noyers thus fit into a unique Burgundian tradition that blends the culture of the senses and the spirit.
Noyers-sur-Serein: a preserved medieval setting
Nestled in a bend of the Serein river, Noyers is one of the best-preserved villages in France. Its 78 buildings listed or registered as historical monuments, its 19 still partially standing medieval defense towers, and its half-timbered houses with jettied upper floors from the 15th and 16th centuries create a setting of rare architectural coherence. Spared by industrialization, wars, and commercial urban planning, Noyers has retained its intact village soul and ranks high among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Coming to the Musicales means experiencing a double heritage: that of music performed by the best artists of their generation, and that of a late medieval village that seems suspended out of time.
Musicales de Noyers — edition 2026
The 35th edition of the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers will take place from July 8th to 31st, 2026, in Noyers-sur-Serein, in the Gothic church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. Under the artistic direction of flutist Juliette Hurel, the festival offers seven classical music concerts featuring internationally renowned soloists — Philippe Cassard, Olivier Charlier, Gary Hoffman, the Quatuor Hermès, the brothers Thomas and David Enhco — as well as a summer academy with public masterclasses in piano, violin, cello, flute, and lyrical singing. Six free "Young Talents" concerts punctuate the month of July.
35th Edition — July 8th to 31st, 2026
For its 35th anniversary, the Rencontres Musicales de Noyers will unfold from July 8th to 31st, 2026 in the Gothic church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Noyers-sur-Serein, under the artistic direction of Juliette Hurel, world-renowned flutist and artistic advisor of the festival. The 2026 program, faithful to the festival's identity, covers a wide spectrum of repertoire, from baroque to jazz, including contemporary creation.
The seven concerts of the 2026 season
- Sunday, July 12th, 6 PM — Piano recital by Philippe Cassard.
- Thursday, July 16th, 8 PM — Baroque Orchestra: the Baroque Camerata (twelve baroque instrumentalists) with Olivier Charlier on violin.
- Saturday, July 18th, 6 PM — "Fil Rouge" Concert of the Festival des Grands Crus: Lorraine Campet (double bass) and the Baroque Camerata.
- Monday, July 20th, 8 PM — Jazz with Thomas and David Enhco (piano, trumpet).
- Wednesday, July 22nd, 8 PM — Duo Juliette Hurel (flute) and Vassilena Serafimova (marimba).
- Saturday, July 25th, 6 PM — Quatuor Hermès, with the world premiere of Silex for string quartet by composer Philippe Schoeller, present at the concert.
- Wednesday, July 29th, 8 PM — Duo Gary Hoffman (cello) and Thuy-Anh Vuong (piano).
"Young Talents" Concerts — Free admission
Six free concerts, at 11 AM in the church (unless otherwise specified), present the work of the summer academy trainees at the end of each masterclass:
- Monday, July 13th, 11 AM — lyrical singing (class of Mary Saint-Palais)
- Thursday, July 16th, 11 AM — piano (class of Philippe Cassard)
- Sunday, July 19th, 11 AM — violin (class of Olivier Charlier)
- Tuesday, July 28th, 11 AM — flute (class of Juliette Hurel)
- Thursday, July 30th, 11 AM — piano (class of Thuy-Anh Vuong)
- Friday, July 31st, 6 PM — cello (class of Gary Hoffman)
Summer Academy 2026
The summer academy welcomes advanced or professional musicians in piano, violin, cello, flute, and lyrical singing, supervised by the festival's masters (Philippe Cassard, Olivier Charlier, Gary Hoffman, Juliette Hurel, Thuy-Anh Vuong, Mary Saint-Palais). Public masterclasses allow the audience to follow the lessons and witness rare pedagogical exchanges with leading artists.
At the end of each concert, partner winemakers offer their Chablis wines and neighboring Burgundy appellations in the medieval streets of the village, perpetuating the tradition that makes the unique charm of the Musicales de Noyers.
Programme Musicales de Noyers 2026
Concerts — 2026 season (Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church, Noyers-sur-Serein)
- Sunday, July 12th — 6 PM · Piano Recital · Philippe Cassard
- Thursday, July 16th — 8 PM · Baroque Orchestra · Baroque Camerata (12 baroque instrumentalists) with Olivier Charlier (violin)
- Saturday, July 18th — 6 PM · "Fil Rouge" Concert of the Festival des Grands Crus · Lorraine Campet (double bass) and the Baroque Camerata
- Monday, July 20th — 8 PM · Jazz · Thomas and David Enhco (piano, trumpet)
- Wednesday, July 22nd — 8 PM · Duo · Juliette Hurel (flute) and Vassilena Serafimova (marimba)
- Saturday, July 25th — 6 PM · String Quartet · Quatuor Hermès — world premiere of Silex by Philippe Schoeller (in the presence of the composer)
- Wednesday, July 29th — 8 PM · Duo · Gary Hoffman (cello) and Thuy-Anh Vuong (piano)
"Young Talents" Concerts — Free admission (Noyers church)
- Monday, July 13th — 11 AM · Lyrical singing (class of Mary Saint-Palais)
- Thursday, July 16th — 11 AM · Piano (class of Philippe Cassard)
- Sunday, July 19th — 11 AM · Violin (class of Olivier Charlier)
- Tuesday, July 28th — 11 AM · Flute (class of Juliette Hurel)
- Thursday, July 30th — 11 AM · Piano (class of Thuy-Anh Vuong)
- Friday, July 31st — 6 PM · Cello (class of Gary Hoffman)
Highlights Musicales de Noyers 2026
- 35th anniversary of the festival (1991-2026), from July 8th to 31st
- Seven concerts in the Gothic church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
- World premiere of Silex by Philippe Schoeller by the Quatuor Hermès on July 25th
- Headliners: Philippe Cassard, Olivier Charlier, Gary Hoffman, Thomas and David Enhco, Juliette Hurel
- Six free "Young Talents" concerts from the summer academy
- Tastings of Chablis and Burgundy wines after each concert
Prices Musicales de Noyers 2026
Practical information — Musicales de Noyers
Practical Information
Main Venue
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
9 rue de l'Église, 89310 Noyers-sur-Serein
Capacity: approximately 400 seats. Ground-level access for people with reduced mobility.
Access
By car: Noyers-sur-Serein is located about 20 km southeast of Tonnerre and 55 km from Sens via the D944. From Paris (via A6), allow 2h15; from Dijon (via A38 then D905), about 1h15. Parking is available at the entrance of the village.
By train: Tonnerre station (Paris-Dijon line), 20 km away. Taxi or carpooling connection to Noyers.
Concert Ticket Prices
- Full price concert: 25 EUR
- Reduced price: 20 EUR (students, job seekers, people with disabilities)
- Free for under 18s
- 7-concert pass: 140 EUR
- Young Talents concerts (students): free admission
- Concert for young audiences (1st Saturday, 4 PM): voluntary contribution
Ticketing
Online booking at musicalesdenoyers.com or on-site 30 minutes before each concert. Payment by credit card or cash.
Summer Academy — Masterclasses
Masterclasses are open to advanced or professional musicians in the following disciplines: piano, violin, cello, flute, and opera singing. Maximum 12 students per class, 3 hours of lessons spread over several sessions with an accompanist. Registration and prices on the official website.
Contact and Information
Association Les Rencontres Musicales de Noyers
89310 Noyers-sur-Serein
Tel: +33 3 86 82 83 72
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.musicalesdenoyers.com
Practical Advice
The village of Noyers-sur-Serein is very popular in July: book your accommodation in advance, especially for the weekend concert nights. Gîtes and B&Bs are available in the village and surrounding areas. Wine tastings organized after concerts are generally free or by donation. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the concert to stroll through the medieval streets and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the village.
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 — Musicales de Noyers
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Noyers-sur-Serein
9 rue de l'Église, 89310 Noyers-sur-Serein