This summer gathering, now something of a ritual for those who love music away from concrete and crowds, is back for you to enjoy. From July 4 to August 29, 2026, the Festival Rosa Bonheur will turn every weekend into a concert in the park of the Rosa Bonheur château, perched in the By hamlet, in Thomery, in Seine-et-Marne (77), at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest. For its seventh edition, the festival sticks to its guiding principle: spotlight on women’s creation and heritage, with intimate performances set right in nature.
Conceived in 2020 by Lou Brault, the event is a tribute to Rosa Bonheur, the visionary animal painter who transformed her home into a haven of artistic emancipation as early as 1859. The idea can be summed up in one sentence: to make summer weekends resonate with the talents of women, whether established figures or emerging voices. From one Saturday to the next, aesthetics mingle in the park (classical music, jazz, soul, folk, chanson, world music), offering a bucolic and travel-worthy interlude.
The 2026 program gathers fifteen events, with weekend concerts in the park. Here are the artists announced this year:
Our favorite pick is the Awa Ly evening, scheduled for Saturday, August 15: her nuanced soul set in the golden late-summer light among the trees promises one of the season’s prettiest moments. A delightful discovery also from Sélène Saint-Aimé, whose jazz infused with creole musics fits perfectly with the spirit of the venue.
The château sits in the heart of the village of By-Thomery, and the easiest way to reach it is by train: from Gare de Lyon, the R line toward Montargis drops you at Thomery in about fifty minutes (train fare included in the Navigo pass), followed by about twenty minutes on foot. By car, it’s roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes from Paris via the A6, but note there’s no dedicated parking: carpooling is highly recommended. Budget-wise, concerts start at 6 €, and booking is advised via the festival ticketing. All access details are on the practical information page, and the event is supported by the Île-de-France Region.
Who is this festival for? For those who prefer intimate, human-sized vibes to crowded big stages, for lovers of musical discoveries and heritage, as well as families or groups of friends seeking a nature-filled outing less than an hour from Paris. A word of advice, though: bring something comfortable to sit on and plan to arrive early—the setting is as much to savor as the music.
Want to keep the summer alive with more music? Here are some picks from our curated lists of must-see music festivals in Paris and Île-de-France, as well as our overview of summer 2026 music festivals all over France.
Dates and Opening Time
From July 4, 2026 to August 29, 2026
Location
Château Rosa Bonheur
12 Rue Rosa Bonheur
77810 Thomery
Official website
www.chateau-rosa-bonheur.fr
Booking
www.chateau-rosa-bonheur.fr
More information
Concerts on July 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, and August 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 31.
