Under the skies of Provence, in the courtyard of the Théâtre de l’Archevêché or on one of the Festival’s stages, the Festival d’Aix offers moments in which magnificent voices from around the world blend with the song of the cicadas.
The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence is one of the major events of the international opera season. Committed to the creation of new opera productions and to presenting concerts of the highest calibre, it has received numerous awards, notably the Birgit Nilsson Prize in 2025, the most prestigious prize in the world of classical music.
Founded in 1948 in the magical setting of Aix-en-Provence - the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ - the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence quickly established itself as one of the leading events on the international opera scene; it also emerged as a major hub for innovation, by exploring new approaches, revitalising the repertoire, and reshaping the relationship between works, performance venues and the audiences who come to discover new artistic horizons. Thanks to its international renown, the Festival has consistently collaborated with visionary conductors, cutting-edge stage directors, top-tier casts and orchestras, and the finest contemporary composers.
Historically associated with Mozart, the Festival explores four centuries of music history, showcasing diverse genres and aesthetics: Baroque opera, Grand opera of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and contemporary creation. Resolutely committed to new work, especially over the past two decades, the Festival d’Aix annually presents next to new opera productions from the repertoire, original commissioned works from celebrated composers as well as emerging ones. This commitment has produced key milestones in recent operatic history. After their world premieres in Aix-en-Provence, these productions then tour the globe, thanks to numerous partnerships with prestigious opera institutions.
Always innovative and creative, it also produces lighter forms of musical theatre, designed to tour easily. Additionally, the Festival offers an ambitious concert programme, which combines symphonic repertoire, operas in concert form, prominent vocal performances, contemporary music, jazz, and Mediterranean music.
Whether you’re arriving from the city of Marseille, from Marseille Provence Airport or from Aix-en-Provence TGV station, many coaches and buses will take you to downtown Aix-en-Provence and help you move around the city easily. The bus station is located five minutes away from the Grand Théâtre de Provence and the Conservatoire, and 15 or 20 minutes away from the other Festival venues.
To make the most of your stay during the Festival, you can check out some publicly available tourism resources for information on restaurants, outings, excursions, and general practical advice in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding region, such as the Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office and the Comité Régional de Tourisme Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea and overlooked by Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Aix-en-Provence, known as the “city of a thousand fountains” or the “city of water”, invites you to extend your time at the Festival with a range of discoveries. Home to nearly 250 public and private fountains, the city boasts one of the highest concentrations of fountains in Europe, alongside daily markets offering food, flowers, crafts, and antiques. Aix also features numerous museums and art centres set within notable historical buildings. Beyond the city, Montagne Sainte-Victoire offers panoramic views and natural landscapes, while the nearby Mediterranean coast, from Marseille to the calanques, provides opportunities to relax by the sea before returning to Aix for an evening performance.
It is customary to wear smart casual attire, but the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence is also an opportunity to wear your finest clothes. In short, wear what makes you happy. At the Théâtre de l’Archevêché, take extra precautions: evenings in the open air can be chilly!
Self-service water fountains are available at all venues (please remember to bring your own bottle or container). The Théâtre de l’Archevêché and the Grand Théâtre de Provence both have an outdoor bar, open from one hour before performances and during intervals. The Grand Théâtre de Provence also features a restaurant: the Teddy Bar.
