A haven of peace !
In 2026, a music festival featuring exceptional and generous artists, an audience from far and wide gathering for the occasion, in venues that are often opening their doors to music for the very first time, set amidst unspoilt natural surroundings: do we realise just how much of a utopian dream our ‘Promenades musicales du Pays d’Auge’ venture really is?
The project we have been developing with Céline Portes since 2023 goes far beyond the idea of a beautiful concert: it is committed, across the Pays d’Auge, to the crossroads where live performance, the life of our heritage in all its forms, the movement of people, passing on beauty to children, tourism and its economy, and the involvement of everyone (residents, associations, schools, social sector organisations, shopkeepers) come together to create a recipe that brings everyone to the table. And that is precisely the idea behind this feast: if we are offering you such exhilarating musical projects, it is of course for those who are already drawn to them, but perhaps even more so for those who might discover them and find in them an unexpected comfort that we all need today.
Some ingredients of the 2026 recipe? A spotlight on the younger generation – instrumentalists and soloists – to whom the PMPA gives pride of place, from medieval music to jazz; a dive into musical heritage thanks to the extraordinary adventure of the Cité des compositrices, but also to the infectious curiosity of great soloists such as Jean-Frédéric Neuburger; timeless fables and tales that young artists bring to life for the little ones through music and images; the joy of dancing and singing together, whether to a wild Brazilian rhythm or a meditative Bach chorale. And after all that, why not stay and chat around our food trucks, brought in especially for the occasion? Les Promenades aren’t just for listening to, they’re for experiencing!
So, despite the strong winds and stormy weather threatening us, the PMPA’s sailing ship continues its journey with the same determination: this year, every day of the festival will feature an unexpected, free concert where the festival’s artists will play and sing amidst the markets. Every morning will feature a Petite Promenade for the very youngest (from a few months old). We’ll also be embarking on a new adventure with the Jeune chœur du Pays d’Auge. Concert times will be brought forward so you can stay for dinner with us.
Artificial intelligence and social media, which take up so much of our time and energy (both ours and the planet’s), will never replace what we’ll be lucky enough to share together this summer: powerful emotions, friendly smiles, unexpected encounters and exceptional exchanges.
A warm welcome to everyone in the Pays d’Auge this summer!
Sébastien Daucé
