Soirées Musicales de l'Abbaye de La Celle

The Soirées Musicales de l'Abbaye de La Celle: Thirty Years of Music and Emotion

Founded in 1994, the Soirées Musicales de l'Abbaye de La Celle will celebrate its 33rd edition in 2026. This chamber music festival is one of the most exclusive and refined summer events in the Var region. Far from large stages and crowds, it offers a handful of concerts of rare artistic quality each summer, in the exceptional setting of the Abbaye royale de La Celle, a listed historic monument founded in the 12th century.

Nestled in the green countryside of Provence Verte, a few kilometers from Brignoles, the Abbaye de La Celle is one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in the region. Founded around 1154, it housed a community of Benedictine nuns until 1660 before becoming private property, then state property. Today, a listed historic monument, it is home to a renowned vineyard and hosts the Soirées Musicales concerts every summer in its Romanesque cloister and gardens.

The Abbey, a Setting of Stone and Music

The acoustics of the abbey's Romanesque cloister, with its arcades of sculpted capitals and stone-paved walkways, create an exceptional sound space for chamber music. At night, under the Provençal stars, the concerts take on a mystical and moving dimension. The green and serene setting of the gardens, scented with lavender and rosemary, contributes to making each evening a timeless moment.

Some concerts are held at the Conservatoire des Coteaux Varois en Provence, allowing for a larger audience to be accommodated in better acoustic conditions for orchestral ensembles and more ambitious programs.

A Program Between Classical, Jazz, and World Music

The programming of the Soirées Musicales is distinguished by its controlled eclecticism. The six concerts of each edition explore several musical universes with the same artistic rigor: classical and romantic chamber music, piano and string recitals, acoustic jazz, baroque music, and incursions into world music. The invited artists are chosen from among the most renowned musicians of their generation.

Among the artists who have marked the festival's history: internationally renowned soloists, chamber music ensembles winners of major competitions, young talents accompanied by great mentors, and jazz musicians from the Parisian or international scene. The 2026 edition (33rd) notably features Nelson Goerner on piano in Albéniz's Ibéria, the Ensemble Concerto Soave in baroque motets, the Adrien Brandeis Quartet for the jazz evening, and a string program featuring Edgar Moreau, David Moreau, and Adrien Boisseau.

Concert-Dinners: A Popular Format

In partnership with restaurants and vineyards in Provence Verte, the Soirées Musicales offer concert-dinner packages, combining Provençal gastronomy and music in a refined rural setting. These à la carte evenings are particularly appreciated by summer visitors and locals.

Thirty Years of Cultural Influence

Supported by an association of enthusiasts and funded by the municipality of La Celle, the Conseil départemental du Var, and the Communauté d'agglomération Provence Verte, the Soirées Musicales have become over the decades a cultural landmark for the inhabitants of the Var and passing tourists. Their reputation for excellence attracts a loyal and discerning audience, including seasoned music lovers and curious newcomers drawn by the magic of Provençal summer nights.