Toulouse les Orgues
International Organ Festival in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne
About Toulouse les Orgues
The Toulouse les Orgues International Festival, created in 1996 by Michel Bouvard and Jan-Willem Jansen in homage to Xavier Darasse, is one of the major events dedicated to the organ in Europe. Supported by the Toulouse les Orgues association, it highlights the exceptional organ heritage of the 'pink city' — from the Basilica of Saint-Sernin (Cavaillé-Coll organ) to Saint-Étienne Cathedral, including the Gesù Church, home to the association.
Toulouse les Orgues: An International Festival Dedicated to the Organ
Created in 1996 by organists Michel Bouvard and Jan-Willem Jansen, in the legacy of the work led by Xavier Darasse at the Toulouse Conservatory, the Toulouse les Orgues International Festival is today one of the main events dedicated to the organ in Europe. Each year, it welcomes approximately 7,000 spectators from France and abroad.
An Exceptional Organ Heritage
The festival leverages the unique richness of Toulouse's organ heritage: the great Cavaillé-Coll organ of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, the organ of Saint-Étienne Cathedral, instruments from the Gesù Church (headquarters of the association), Notre-Dame du Taur, La Daurade, and many other churches. The program explores medieval, baroque, classical, and contemporary repertoires.
The Toulouse les Orgues Association
Beyond the annual festival, the Toulouse les Orgues Association aims to promote and keep the organ alive in Toulouse and Occitanie. It also organizes les Quartiers d'été de Toulouse les Orgues, the Concours international d'orgue de Toulouse, as well as educational activities. The association's headquarters are located at the Gesù Church, 22 bis rue des Fleurs.
Multidisciplinary Program
Each edition offers solo organ concerts, recitals with other instruments, contemporary creations, «Nuits de l'orgue» at Saint-Sernin, midday concerts, conferences, workshops, educational concerts, and unusual events (musical breakfasts, rugby-concert, cinema-organ…).
Toulouse les Orgues — edition 2026
The 31st edition of the International Festival Toulouse les Orgues takes place from October 7 to 18, 2026, with a student preview on October 6 and regional concerts on October 2, 3, and 4. Twelve days of organ concerts in Toulouse's most beautiful churches — Saint-Sernin, Saint-Étienne, le Gesù, Notre-Dame du Taur, la Daurade and many other heritage sites.
31st International Festival Toulouse les Orgues — October 7 to 18, 2026
The 31st edition of the International Festival Toulouse les Orgues takes place in Toulouse from October 7 to 18, 2026, preceded by a student preview on October 6 and decentralized concerts in Occitanie on October 2, 3, and 4.
First headliners announced
Several big names are already confirmed for this edition :
- Thierry Escaich and the Quatuor Tchalik — concert combining organ and string quartet
- Michel Bouvard and François Espinasse — program dedicated to Nicolas de Grigny
- Roger Sayer — the organist who performed the soundtrack of Hans Zimmer's film Interstellar
- Ensemble Sjaella (Leipzig) — closing concert dedicated to J.S. Bach, the ensemble's first visit to France
Highlights of the edition
On the program : the Nuits du Gesù (Gesù Nights), the traditional Organ Night at Saint-Sernin dedicated this year to German music, the midday concerts, musical yoga sessions, a free concert for students, a musical breakfast, a rugby-concert as well as a series of conferences.
Full program to come
The detailed day-by-day program (artists, times, venues, ticketing) will be published online in June 2026 on the official website toulouse-les-orgues.org. This page will be updated upon publication of the full program.
Highlights Toulouse les Orgues 2026
- 31st edition of one of Europe's most important festivals dedicated to the organ
- 12 days of concerts in Toulouse's most beautiful churches (Saint-Sernin, Saint-Étienne, Gesù, Notre-Dame du Taur…)
- Thierry Escaich & the Quatuor Tchalik, Michel Bouvard, Roger Sayer (organist from Interstellar), Ensemble Sjaella
- Organ Night at Saint-Sernin dedicated to German music
- Free concert for students, midday concerts, conferences and unusual formats
Prices Toulouse les Orgues 2026
Practical information — Toulouse les Orgues
Practical Information
Main Venue
Association headquarters: Église du Gesù, 22 bis rue des Fleurs, 31000 Toulouse. Festival concerts take place in about twenty churches and heritage sites in the city and the Toulouse metropolitan area (Saint-Sernin, Saint-Étienne, Notre-Dame du Taur, La Daurade, Le Gesù, etc.).
Contact
Phone: 05 61 33 76 80
E-mail: [email protected]
Official website: toulouse-les-orgues.org
Access
Toulouse is served by Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, by Toulouse-Matabiau SNCF train station (TGV and Intercités), and by motorways A20, A61, A62, and A64. The metro and Tisséo bus network serve the main festival churches from the city center (stops Esquirol, Capitole, Carmes, Palais de Justice).
Ticketing
Ticket sales generally open at the end of summer. Usual prices range from free (midday concerts, regional events) to approximately €25. Festival passes available. Detailed information and reservations on the official website.
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 — Toulouse les Orgues
Église du Gesù et lieux patrimoniaux toulousains
Église du Gesù, 22 bis rue des Fleurs, 31000 Toulouse, 31746 Toulouse