Un Violon sur le Sable
Free symphonic music festival on Royan beach
2026
About Violon sur le Sable
Violon sur le Sable — edition 2026
The 39th edition of Un Violon sur le Sable offers three major free symphonic concerts on the Grande-Conche beach in Royan, on July 25th, 28th, and 31st, 2026 at 10 PM, facing the ocean.
2026 Edition — 39th edition
The Un Violon sur le Sable festival returns for three exceptional symphonic evenings on July 25th, 28th, and 31st, 2026 at 10 PM on the Grande-Conche beach in Royan. The festival orchestra, under the direction of conductor Jérôme Pillement, accompanies about fifteen international soloists for an eclectic program mixing classical, lyrical, film music, and more popular tunes.
The historical principle of the festival remains unchanged: to offer great classical and lyrical music for free, on the sand and facing the ocean, in a popular and accessible atmosphere for all. The full festival "Un Violon sur la Ville" takes place from July 23rd to August 1st, 2026, with decentralized concerts in the city alongside the three major evenings on the beach.
Highlights Violon sur le Sable 2026
- Three free symphonic concerts on the sand at Grande-Conche beach, at 10:00 PM on July 25, 28, and 31, 2026
- An orchestra of over 70 musicians conducted by Jérôme Pillement
- Saturday, July 25: Vannina Santoni, Aylen Pritchin, Stella Almondo, Julien Dran, and Hélène Escriva
- Tuesday, July 28: Pretty Yende, Astrig Siranossian, Thomas Bloch, Karl Paquette and a quartet of Paris Opera dancers, Acad'ÔChœur choir
- Friday, July 31: Cyrille Dubois, Arielle Beck, Luka Faulisi, Candice Parise, and David Kuckhermann
- Grand fireworks display at the end of each evening
- A dozen "Un Violon sur la Ville" events from July 23 to August 1, either free or for €5
Programme Violon sur le Sable 2026
The three symphonic concerts on the beach
Saturday, July 25, 2026 — 10:00 PM, Grande-Conche beach
- 10:00 PM — Symphonic concert · Un Violon sur le Sable Orchestra (over 70 musicians) conducted by Jérôme Pillement
- Soloists: Vannina Santoni (soprano), Aylen Pritchin (violin), Stella Almondo (piano), Julien Dran (tenor), Hélène Escriva (euphonium)
- Grand fireworks display to close the evening
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 — 10:00 PM, Grande-Conche beach
- 10:00 PM — Symphonic concert · Un Violon sur le Sable Orchestra conducted by Jérôme Pillement
- Soloists: Pretty Yende (soprano), Astrig Siranossian (cello), Thomas Bloch (glass harmonica), Karl Paquette in a quartet with dancers from the Paris Opera, Acad'ÔChœur choir
- Grand fireworks display to close the evening
Friday, July 31, 2026 — 10:00 PM, Grande-Conche beach
- 10:00 PM — Symphonic concert · Un Violon sur le Sable Orchestra conducted by Jérôme Pillement
- Soloists: Cyrille Dubois (tenor), Arielle Beck (piano), Luka Faulisi (violin), Candice Parise (vocals), David Kuckhermann (hang)
- Grand fireworks display to close the evening
In case of rain, the evening will be postponed to the following day; the concert may also start at 9:45 PM if weather conditions require it. Grandstand tickets remain valid for the rescheduled date.
Un Violon sur la Ville — the fringe festival, from July 23 to August 1, 2026
Thursday, July 23
- 9:30 PM — "À chacun son court", opening night with Yvan Cassar · Garden Tennis de Royan · €20
Sunday, July 26
- 11:00 AM — "Rencontre au Palais" · Palais Royan Événements · free
- 9:30 PM — Classical and lyrical evening · Théâtre de verdure de Vaux-sur-Mer · €5
Monday, July 27
- 11:00 AM — Classical ballet barre · Grande-Conche beach · free
- 7:00 PM — Screening of the France.tv documentary dedicated to the festival · Palais Royan Événements · free with reservation
- 9:30 PM — "Marinella" · Théâtre de verdure du parc de Royan · €5
Wednesday, July 29
- 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Yamaha music workshops · Violon sur le Sable tent · free with registration
- 7:00 PM — "Danse sur le Green" · Golf de Royan · €5
Thursday, July 30
- 11:00 AM — "Les Cuivres : Viva España!" · Pontaillac bandstand · free
- 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Yamaha music workshops · Violon sur le Sable tent · free with registration
- 9:30 PM — Noëmi Waysfeld sings Barbara · Sablonceaux Abbey · €5
Saturday, August 1
- 7:00 PM — Piano recital · Caillaud cliff, Talmont-sur-Gironde · €5
Prices Violon sur le Sable 2026
Practical information — Violon sur le Sable
Practical Information
Location
Plage de la Grande-Conche, boulevard Garnier, 17200 Royan.
Schedule
The three symphonic concerts begin at 10:00 PM. In the event of rain, the evening will be postponed to the following day; the concert may also start at 9:45 PM if weather conditions require it. Grandstand tickets remain valid for the rescheduled date.
Tickets
- Free access on the sand, no reservation required
- Reserved grandstand seating (sections A, B, C, and D): €35 per person
- Tickets available via the Production 114 online box office and at Royan Atlantique Tourist Information Offices starting in late April
Access and Parking
- Over 4,000 parking spaces available around the site
- Royan train station is 800m from the beach; SNCF operates special train services for concert times
- Carpooling, cycling, and walking are highly recommended, as attendance can reach 60,000 spectators
Accessibility
The festival is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with a dedicated area provided for viewing the concert.
Good to know
Each evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean.
A symphonic festival on the sand
For over 35 years, Un Violon sur le Sable has transformed Royan beach into an open-air concert hall. Created in 1987 by Philippe Tranchet, this bold festival offers 3 major free symphonic concerts on the sand, with orchestras composed of musicians from the Paris Opera and other major ensembles.
An eclectic program
The festival boldly mixes genres: Mozart and Verdi rub shoulders with Zimmer and Williams in a program accessible to all. Each evening, 4 to 5 international soloists are accompanied by the symphony orchestra, with staging worthy of a rock concert: giant screens, sophisticated sound and lighting.
Un Violon sur la Ville
Since 2012, the festival off Un Violon sur la Ville has enriched the program with a dozen musical events in Royan and its surroundings during the festival week.
Where does it take place — Violon sur le Sable
Violon sur le Sable in brief
Other festivals near Royan
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