Festival de Saint-Paul de Vence 2026 : fifteen years of music, emotions and discoveries

From July 20 to 29, 2026, the Saint-Paul de Vence Festival celebrates its 15th edition, marking fifteen years of artistic excellence in one of France's most beautiful villages. More than just an anniversary, this new edition is a declaration of love for creativity, the dialogue between disciplines, and those suspended moments that only music can provide.

Since its inception, the festival has established itself as a must-attend summer cultural event on the Côte d'Azur. What makes it unique? It brings together the biggest names in classical music and jazz in settings where heritage, nature, and contemporary art engage in a dialogue with the performances. It is an experience that transcends the standard concert to become a true sensory immersion.

An anniversary program featuring the artists who shaped its history

To celebrate these fifteen years, festival director Julien Kieffer has devised a program that highlights the artists who defined previous editions. "This anniversary edition is an invitation to a dialogue-between eras and styles, but also between the artists and the audience," he explains.

Key highlights include the return of cellist Edgar Moreau, now considered a leading figure of his generation. Alongside the Modigliani Quartet, he will perform Schubert's monumental Quintet, a masterpiece of exceptional emotional intensity.
British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, renowned for his playing of rare elegance, will present a recital dedicated to the great masters of European Romanticism. From Schumann and Chopin to Scriabin, each work will weave a musical narrative in which virtuosity and poetry become one.

The festival will open with an iconic voice of the Baroque scene, Philippe Jaroussky, accompanied by soprano Gwendoline Blondeel and the ensemble Les Accents. Together, they will perform Pergolesi's deeply moving *Stabat Mater* and several sacred works by Vivaldi, in a program defined by spirituality and emotion.

Another highlight will see pianist Vanessa Wagner take the audience on a hypnotic journey through the music of Philip Glass and other great American minimalist composers-a delicate musical exploration where soundscapes seem to suspend time itself.
The festival will conclude with German violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Kiveli Dörken performing a program dedicated to Janáček and Brahms, showcasing the rich musical heritage of Central Europe.When jazz meets classical music

Since its inception, the Saint-Paul de Vence Festival has cultivated a unique identity: fostering a dialogue between musical styles rather than pitting them against one another.
Saxophonist Émile Parisien returns to the festival with an exceptional quartet featuring Yaron Herman, Linda May Han Oh, and Prabhu Edouard. Together, they will present a concert defined by improvisation, freedom, and the blending of musical genres.
Another highlight of this year's edition is singer Marion Rampal's *Song for Abbey*, a critically acclaimed tribute to Abbey Lincoln. Blending jazz, poetry, and social commitment, this original production promises to be one of the festival's most moving moments.

Three exceptional venues for a unique experience

While the program captivates audiences with its high artistic standards, the Saint-Paul de Vence Festival also owes its reputation to its exceptional venues.
Concerts will take place at the Place de la Courtine, offering spectacular views of the Provençal hills; the Fondation Maeght, a stunning setting where music and modern art converse; and the Fondation CAB, a space dedicated to contemporary art and minimalist architecture. As the sun sets, the village's golden stones glow, and the scents of pine, lavender, and olive trees fill the evening air, each performance becomes an immersive experience in which the landscape plays an integral role in the emotional impact of the music.

Fifteen years of artistic vision

For Julien Kieffer, this blend of excellence and conviviality remains the soul of the festival.
"It is important to us to bring together artists who possess a genuine vision and who breathe life into the repertoire with both artistic rigor and distinct personality. Here, the audience does not simply attend a concert; they share a moment suspended in time, within a unique setting where music engages in a dialogue with nature, heritage, and the light of Provence."

Over the past fifteen years, the Saint-Paul de Vence Festival has forged a unique identity within the French cultural landscape-an event where world-class performers appear in an intimate atmosphere, far removed from the bustle of large concert halls, fostering a precious closeness between artists and the audience.