Théodore Gouvy Festival
International classical music festival in Hombourg-Haut
2027
About Gouvy Festival
Gouvy Festival — edition 2027
The "2026 Season" brochure from the Institut Théodore Gouvy includes a "Save the Date" for the opening of the 38th Rencontres Musicales, featuring the New Year's Concert on Sunday, January 10, 2027, at the Collégiale Saint-Étienne—a date noted as "subject to change." The remainder of the 2027 season has not yet been announced.
Programme Gouvy Festival 2027
The program for the 2027 edition has not yet been released by the organizers; it will be added as soon as it becomes available.
Practical information — Gouvy Festival
Access
Hombourg-Haut is located in the Moselle coal basin, between Forbach and Saint-Avold, in a preserved medieval setting.
- By car: A4 motorway (exit Saint-Avold or Freyming-Merlebach), 50 km from Metz, 15 km from Forbach and 10 km from Saint-Avold. From Saarbrücken (Germany), about 30 minutes. Free parking at the foot of the medieval town. The collegiate church is in the upper town, accessible on foot via cobbled streets (about a 5-minute climb from the parking lot).
- By train: Hombourg-Haut station on the Metz-Forbach-Saarbrücken line (TER Grand Est). The station is about a 15-minute walk from the Saint-Étienne collegiate church. Several trains per day from Metz (about 45 minutes) and Forbach (10 minutes).
- By bus: Intercity bus lines serving Hombourg-Haut from Saint-Avold and Freyming-Merlebach.
Main Venue
Collégiale Saint-Étienne, Hombourg-Haut, 57470. A 13th-century Gothic building classified as a historic monument, the collegiate church offers remarkable acoustics for chamber music and recitals. Its nave, stained glass windows, and medieval architecture create an atmosphere conducive to musical contemplation. Seating capacity is limited, giving the concerts an intimate dimension highly appreciated by the public.
Ticketing
Concerts are paid. Prices vary depending on the concerts and artists scheduled. Reduced rates are offered for students, Institute members, and residents of Hombourg-Haut. Booking is recommended as the collegiate church's capacity is limited. Tickets available from the Théodore Gouvy Institute and partner online ticketing platforms.
Program
The concert program is published on the Théodore Gouvy Institute's website and disseminated through local and regional press. Concerts take place throughout the year (approximately 6 concerts per season), generally on Sunday afternoons at 4 or 5 PM.
Discover Hombourg-Haut
Take advantage of the concerts to discover Hombourg-Haut, classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère: medieval streets, half-timbered houses, Sainte-Catherine chapel, remains of ramparts, and a panorama of the Rosselle valley. The Théodore Gouvy Institute, located in the town, offers exhibitions and documentation on the composer.
Contact
Institut Théodore Gouvy
Website: www.institut-gouvy.fr
Homage to a Franco-German Composer
The Théodore Gouvy Festival, also known as the International Musical Encounters of Hombourg-Haut, pays homage to the composer Théodore Gouvy (1819-1898), a major figure of Franco-German romantic music born in the Saar and Moselle region. Supported by the Théodore Gouvy Institute, the festival perpetuates the memory and work of this long-unrecognized composer, whose musical rediscovery is at the heart of the Institute's mission.
An Excellent Musical Program
Concerts Throughout the Year
The festival is distinguished by its program spread throughout the year, offering a series of six or more concerts, spread over several months. This original format allows music lovers in the region to regularly enjoy high-level musical offerings, rather than concentrating the concerts over a few days.
Gouvy and His Contemporaries
Each festival concert combines a work by Théodore Gouvy with works by other classical and romantic composers. This perspective allows Gouvy's work to be placed in the musical context of his time and introduces the public to rare and little-known pieces alongside the great repertoire.
International Artists
The festival invites internationally renowned soloists and ensembles: string quartets, pianists, opera singers, chamber orchestras, and symphonic ensembles. Collaboration with the Symphonique de Thionville-Moselle and other regional and international ensembles guarantees an exceptional level of performance.
The Saint-Étienne Collegiate Church
Concerts are mainly held in the Saint-Étienne collegiate church in Hombourg-Haut, a 13th-century Gothic building classified as a historic monument. The remarkable acoustics of this sacred place and its medieval architecture offer an exceptional setting for chamber music and recitals, creating a unique symbiosis between architectural heritage and musical art.
Hombourg-Haut, a Small Town of Character
Hombourg-Haut, classified among the Petites Cités de Caractère (Small Towns of Character), is a medieval town perched on a hill overlooking the Rosselle valley in the Lorraine coal basin. Its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and religious buildings create a picturesque setting that adds to the festival's charm. The Théodore Gouvy Institute, located in the town, is the research and dissemination center dedicated to the composer.
A Franco-German Link
The festival embodies the Franco-German cultural dialogue, like the composer Théodore Gouvy, who was born French but lived and worked on both sides of the border. Collaborations with German and Saarland musical ensembles and institutions reinforce this cross-border dimension, making the festival a cultural bridge between France and Germany.
Where does it take place — Gouvy Festival
Gouvy Festival in brief
Other festivals near Hombourg-Haut
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
A quick word
Find us more easily on Google
Add Festivals en France to your preferred sources: our line-ups and calendars will show up more often in your Google results. It’s free, it takes two seconds, and you can undo it whenever you want.
Add us to my sourcesYou stay on this page: Google opens a window, then brings you back here.