Rencontres Musicales Regards

A 5th edition under the sign of the voice

For this 5th edition from May 29 to 31, 2026, the vocal ensemble De Caelis, under the artistic direction of Laurence Brisset, places the voice at the heart of the program: medieval voices, world voices (fado, Greek songs), burlesque and creative voices, poetic voices, and voices for toddlers.

Three days in the heritage sites of the Domfrontais region

The festival takes over the Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau church (11th century, Norman Romanesque art), the municipal theater, the media library, the cour Marie du Rocher, and the Notre-Dame de Lonlay-l'Abbaye abbey. A journey that combines paid concerts and free events (ball, aperitif-concert, concert for young audiences, poetic half-hour).

Outreach activities beforehand

Before the intense weekend at the end of May, the De Caelis ensemble conducts outreach activities in the area in April and May: « Cocon lyrique » (mini-recitals for toddlers in five nurseries and kindergartens in Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, Fresnes, Lonlay, Champsecret, and Flers), « Bulles musicales » at the Flers maternity hospital, musical impromptu at the Anaïs center (people with disabilities), « Polyphonies du monde » workshops with the Oléna choir.

Public presentation on March 6, 2026

The 2026 edition was presented to the public on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the municipal theater of Domfront-en-Poiraie, free admission.

Friday, May 29, 2026

• 8:00 PM — « DUO FADO and other Lusophone songs » · Église Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau, Domfront (paid) — Chloé Breillot (vocals) and Pierrick Hardy (guitar) revisit Portuguese fado and the Lusophone repertoire in the exceptional acoustics of the Romanesque church.
• 9:30 PM — « Nocturnal and poetic visit of historic Domfront » · departure Tourist Office — Guided tour of the medieval center blending history and poetic readings under the stars.

Saturday, May 30, 2026

• 10:30 AM — « À LA VOLETTE, my first concert » · Médiathèque de Domfront (free, from 6 months old) — Musical show for toddlers by Claire Trouilloud and Laurence Brisset.
• 4:00 PM — « The Poetic Half-Hour » · Médiathèque de Domfront (free) — Reading-performance with Éric Louviot (actor).
• 8:00 PM — Greek dance initiation workshop · Théâtre municipal (before the ball)
• 9:00 PM — « GREEK BALL » · Théâtre municipal de Domfront (free) — Participatory ball centered on Greek musical traditions with Katerina Karagianni, Guillaume Klaval, Fabien Dubuy, and Jérôme Salomon.

Sunday, May 31, 2026

• 11:45 AM — « NOS ESPRITS LIBRES ET CONTENTS » aperitif-concert · Cour Marie du Rocher, Domfront (free) — Baroque program by the Parchemins ensemble, to be enjoyed in the heart of the historic city.
• 5:00 PM — « DRÔLES D'OISEAUX » · Abbaye Notre-Dame de Lonlay-l'Abbaye (paid) — Closing concert by the De Caelis ensemble and Les Chanteurs d'oiseaux (professional bird imitators): dialogue between medieval polyphonies and bird songs from the Norman bocage.

Outreach activities beforehand (April-May 2026)

• Cocon lyrique — Mini-recitals for toddlers in five nurseries and kindergartens (Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, Fresnes, Lonlay, Champsecret, Flers)
• Bulles musicales — Performances at the Flers maternity hospital
• Impromptu musical — Concert-meeting at the Anaïs center (people with disabilities)
• « Polyphonies du monde » workshops — With the Oléna choir (March to May)

• Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau Church (11th c.) — opening fado concert in one of the jewels of Norman Romanesque art
• Free Greek Ball at the municipal theater, preceded by a dance initiation workshop
• Concert for young audiences from 6 months old — « À la volette » at the media library
• « Drôles d'oiseaux » as the closing act at Lonlay Abbey: dialogue between De Caelis and professional bird imitators
• Several free events (aperitif-concert, ball, poetic half-hour, concert for young audiences)

Access to Domfront-en-Poiraie

By car: Domfront-en-Poiraie is located 60 km west of Alençon via the D962. From Flers, follow the D962 west (20 km, about 25 minutes). From Caen, take the A84 towards Rennes then exit towards Domfront (about 1h30). Free parking lots are available in the upper and lower town. The medieval center of Domfront, where the main concerts take place, is accessible on foot from the parking lots. A carpooling system is offered via Togetzer.com.

By train: Domfront does not have a train station. The closest train stations are Briouze (25 km, Paris-Granville line) and Flers (20 km, TER Normandie from Caen). A vehicle is necessary from these stations.

Concert venues (2026 edition)

The 5th edition takes place in several remarkable heritage sites in Domfront and Lonlay-l'Abbaye:

• Église Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau (11th century): gem of Norman Romanesque art, exceptional acoustics — opening concert Friday, May 29
• Media library of Domfront: young audience concert and poetic half-hour Saturday, May 30
• Municipal theater of Domfront: Greek ball Saturday evening, May 30
• Cour Marie du Rocher: Sunday aperitif-concert, May 31
• Abbaye Notre-Dame de Lonlay-l'Abbaye: closing concert Sunday afternoon, May 31

Dates and program

The 5th edition takes place over an intense weekend from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, preceded in April and May by outreach awareness actions (mini-recitals in nurseries and kindergartens in Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, Fresnes, Lonlay, Champsecret and Flers, musical bubbles at the Flers maternity hospital, impromptu at the Anaïs community center, polyphonic workshops). The detailed program is published on the De Caelis ensemble website and during a presentation evening organized on March 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the municipal theater (free admission).

Prices and ticketing

Full price: 12 € – Reduced price: 6 € (students, job seekers) – Children under 12: 3 €. Several events are free in 2026: the young audience concert « À la volette », the poetic half-hour, the Greek ball and the Sunday aperitif-concert. Ticketing is open online on HelloAsso and on site on the day of the concerts (subject to availability). It is highly recommended to book in advance, as capacities are limited in heritage sites. Accepted payment methods: credit card, check, cash, and Chèques-Vacances.

Food and accommodation

Domfront has restaurants and shops in the city center. For visitors wishing to stay, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and hotels are available in Domfront and the surrounding communes, notably in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne (20 km).

Contact

Ensemble De Caelis
Phone: 06 03 08 50 37
Website: www.decaelis.fr
Online ticketing: HelloAsso
Tourist Office of Domfront-en-Poiraie: 02 33 38 53 97