Just a stone’s throw from Sacré-Cœur, behind a simple gate on Rue Chappe, lies a spot that even some Montmartre regulars are still unaware of. Every summer, however, this hidden garden transforms into an open-air concert hall. Les Arènes Lyriques will return from July 22 to August 15, 2026, for a new season of concerts blending opera, classical music, and contemporary influences.
A series of magical concerts in the heart of the Butte
The concept has remained unchanged since the festival’s inception: bringing together young musicians and singers in an extraordinary setting, far from traditional concert halls. Seated on the stone tiers of the arena, spectators watch a performance as the sun gradually sets over the rooftops of Montmartre. An experience that owes as much to the music as to the venue itself.
For the 2026 edition, the show will be titled “E fra le nubi d’or” (Among the Golden Clouds), a reference to Alfredo Catalani’s opera La Wally. As every year, the Arènes Lyriques Orchestra will consist of some fifteen young musicians brought together especially for the occasion to perform alongside several guest soloists.
Several artists will take the stage throughout the performances. Among them are sopranos Clara Orif and Anara Khassenova, tenors Jean-François Marras and Jérémie Schütz, as well as several pianists and singers representing a wide variety of musical styles.
One of the charms of the Arènes Lyriques also lies in its element of surprise. Unlike many classical festivals, the full program is not revealed in advance. Only a few works are announced, with the rest being discovered by the audience on the evening of the performance. It’s a way of preserving a sense of spontaneity in every performance.
For the 2026 edition, concerts will begin at 9:00 p.m. and last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Please note that in case of inclement weather, performances will be moved to the Église Saint-Jean de Montmartre, located a few minutes’ walk from the arena.
In Paris, there aren’t that many outdoor classical music festivals . Even fewer when they take place in such an unusual setting. Between the lanterns hanging in the trees, the view of the Montmartre hills, and the music echoing through the garden, the Arènes Lyriques are among the magical events that punctuate the Parisian summer.
📍Les Arènes Lyriques, a Summer Rhapsody – Arènes de Montmartre – 25, rue Chappe, 75018
📆 July 22–August 15, 2026