The Rencontres Musicales d'Évian classical music festival was created in 1976, under the impetus of Antoine Riboud, then CEO of the Danone group. For a long time the famous cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich, was Artistic Director and it was he who made the festival an unmissable meeting place for the greatest chamber musicians and instrumentalists of the international scene. After several years of interruption, it was relaunched in 2014 under the artistic direction of, first, the Modigliani Quartet, then Philippe Bernhard until 2022. Since 2023, the artistic direction has been led by Renaud Capuçon.
The festival takes place in La Grange au Lac, one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, located in the town of Évian-les-Bains (France), on the heights of Lake Geneva (45km from Geneva). Nestled in the heart of nature, the auditorium unexpectedly reveals itself amidst a larch forest, just a stone’s throw from the luxurious accommodations of the Evian Resort.
Visitors can come to the festival by plane to Geneva International Airport (45 km from Évian), by train to Évian-les-Bains station (SNCF, Leman Express) or by car. They can also come by boat from Lausanne (Switzerland), several connections between Lausanne and Évian being operated daily by CGN.
Before and after the concerts, the festival also provides free shuttles to transport visitors to and from the following meeting points: Évian railway station, Évian boat landing stage and La Grange au Lac. In addition, a picturesque funicular railways offers 8 minute journeys between the city centre and La Grange au lac, every 20 minutes, free of charge.
The Rencontres Musicales d'Évian festival takes place in summer when the weather is usually warm. No specific dress code imposed.
Snacks are available every evening at La Grange au Lac one hour prior to the performance and during the interval. There are also outstanding restaurants at the Hôtel Royal, the Hôtel Ermitage, the Hôtel La Verniaz, or at the Casino.
The spa town of Évian-les-Bains offers a variety of facilities and activities to combine with music, such as the evian® thermal spa, the Évian Casino or the Evian Resort Golf Club. Its privileged location surrounded by lake and mountains provides the opportunity to partake in numerous outdoor sports activities: hiking, paddling, swimming, mountain biking... The local area is also brimming with heritage gems like the medieval village of Yvoire and Chillon Castle in Switzerland. Enough to suit and please everyone to create their own bespoke stay!
The Rencontres Musicales d'Évian festival takes place in La Grange au Lac, an architectural masterpiece designed by Patrick Bouchain in 1993 and the only concert hall of its kind in the world, which was dedicated to the incredible cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.
Built exclusively from cedar and pine, and surrounded by a forest of larch trees, this outstanding venue offers to the spectator a unique experience, the luxury of six magnificent crystal chandeliers mingling with the frugality of the seats, and the smell of wood still embalming thirty years after its construction. A one-of-a-kind experience enhanced by exceptional acoustics that sublimate the virtuosity of the music.
Prepare for your stay by booking your accommodation in one of the Evian Resort hotels, all three located just a few hundred meters from La Grange au Lac:
- Hôtel Royal*****: a mythical palace that combines Belle Epoque charm and the elegance of contemporary design.
- Hotel Ermitage ****: a charming and prestigious hotel with Anglo-Norman style architecture, which creates an atmosphere of conviviality and authenticity in an intimate setting.
- Hôtel La Verniaz ****: all the charm of an old 17th century farmhouse nestled in the heart of a two-hectare park.
In addition to the settings of the Evian Resort, Évian-les-Bains and its surroundings offer a wide variety of accommodation. Book your stay early as the festival takes place during the high summer season.
The Rencontres Musicales d'Évian festival promises you a unique experience, in an exceptional setting, with the greatest artists and orchestras of the international scene.
