The piano in all its dimensions in exceptional heritage sites and gardens.
Angers Pianopolis returns for its 4th edition from May 13th to 17th, 2026. For five days, the piano takes over the city with a rich and varied programme: classical, jazz, cine-concerts, vocal recitals, contemporary music and concert readings.
Curated once again by maestro Alexandre Kantorow, the festival welcomes outstanding artists. Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, joined by pianist Michał Biel, revisits Handel (May 15th, 8 pm, Greniers Saint-Jean). Julie Depardieu, Delphine Haidan and Dana Ciocarlie bring to life the story of Clara and Robert Schumann (An Evening with the Schumanns, May 16th, 3 pm, Ronceray Abbey), preceded by a talk with Julie Depardieu at the Musée Jean-Lurçat. At the same venue, Gabriel Durliat performs music inspired by Tolkien’s world (May 16th), alongside the exhibition Aubusson Weaves Tolkien. Karol Beffa presents a musical tale for young audiences, while the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and Tanguy de Williencourt perform Chopin (May 16th).
A cine-concert with Jean-Baptiste Doulcet opens the festival on May 13th. Throughout the festival, Bjorn Gottshall travels across the city by bike with his piano.
The festival takes place in Angers, France, in heritage venues such as the Greniers Saint-Jean, exceptional gardens (Promenade du Bout-du-Monde, garden of the Musée Jean-Lurçat), and squares in the city, in Belle-Beille or Place Ney.
In addition to introducing artists and classical music, one of the aims/purposes of the festival is also to explore and make known the high places of the Angevin patrimoins/heritage and the history of France, such as the Greniers St Jean, the Abbey of Ronceray and the Jean Lurçat Museum, thanks to free and convivial/pleasant moments.
There are many significant places to visit in Angers: The Castle of Angers, The Tapestry of the Apocalypse, Saint Maurice Cathedral, David d'Angers Gallery, Jean Lurçat Museum, The Collegiate Church of Saint Martin.
As you travel through the area, you will see many other castles (with the manors, Anjou has more than 1000).
Angers is also the perfect place to discover and taste the wines that have made the Loire region famous.
Many bicycle paths follow the edges of the river: La Loire à vélo is more than 800km long.
Angers being the first green city in France, you will be able to go for a walk in many green spaces: jardin des plantes, jardin du Mail, jardin du Château d’Angers, Terra Botanica … to enjoy the “douceur angevine”.
Angers is a city close to Paris, also 1h30 from the Atlantic coast.
By TGV:
- 35 minutes from Nantes
- less than 90 minutes from Paris-Montparnasse
- 2h30 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (direct TGV)
- 4 hours from Lyon
- 3h30 from Lille
- 4 hours from Bordeaux
By plane:
- 40 minutes from Nantes Atlantique airport
- 2h30 from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
By car:
- at the crossroads of highways A11, A85, A87
- 45 minutes from Nantes
- 2h30 from Paris
- 1h45 from Rennes
- 3h40 from Bordeaux
Car parking is available at La Rochefoucault parking lot.
To get around the city visitors can use tram and bus (download the “Irigo” application) or bicycle (many bicycle paths and bike racks).
By tram: line A to CHU-Hôpital, lines B and C to Molière and Doutre stations
Information about local accommodation available through this link.
There is no dress code for the festival events.
Food-trucks will be on hand to offer a variety of catering options, a piano will be open to all, and several wine merchants will be on hand on the Saint-Jean site, so you can take your time to stroll around and enjoy the beauty of the site... with music!
Cour des Greniers Saint-Jean and Jardin du Musée Jean Lurçat
