©festival des forets, le temps suspendu, parc de bayser, compiegne|Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Anne-Sophie Flament
Festival des Forêts
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Festival des Forêts

Music, nature and shared moments near Compiègne.

In the heart of Hauts-de-France, music drifts through the trees. Each summer, the Festival des Forêts transforms the forests of Compiègne and Laigue into an open-air concert hall, where classical music is experienced not in formal auditoriums, but beneath canopies of leaves, along woodland clearings and beside historic landmarks.

Easily reached by car — just off the A1, around 80 km north of Paris and less than three hours from the Channel ports — this long-established festival is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with both nature and sound.

When music meets the forest

Concerts take place across 14 natural and heritage sites, each chosen for its atmosphere as much as its acoustics. Harps, violins and orchestras resonate through the forest, sometimes accompanied by dance, visual effects or even fireworks, creating moments that feel both intimate and extraordinary.

With more than 200 musicians, around 70 composers and several orchestras, the Festival des Forêts offers a rich and varied programme — one that encourages listening with all the senses. Fresh air, birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves become part of the performance.

New experiences deepen this connection further, including guided pre-concert walks accompanied by musicians, designed as meditative journeys through the forest before the music begins.

Northern France _ Saint-Jean-aux-Bois _ Festival Forest _ hiking ©CRTC Hauts-de-France_Anne-Sophie FlamentNorthern France _ Saint-Jean-aux-Bois _ Festival Forest _ hiking ©CRTC Hauts-de-France_Anne-Sophie Flament
©Northern France, Saint-Jean-aux-Bois , Festival Forest, hiking |CRTC Hauts-de-France_Anne-Sophie Flament
©Saint Jean Aux Bois Festival Des Foretshauts De France Tourisme Anne Sophie Flament|Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Anne-Sophie Flament
Northern France _ Compiègne _ Forest Festival © Crtc Hauts de France - Benjamin TeissedreCompiègne_FNorthern France _ Compiègne _ Forest Festival © Crtc Hauts de France - Benjamin Teissedreestival des Forêts_balade musicale © Crtc Hauts de France - Benjamin Teissedre
©Northern France,Compiègne, Forest Festival|Hauts-de-France Tourisme - Benjamin Teissèdre
©Festival des forêts, Compiègne|Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Anne-Sophie Flament

    Discovering heritage at a different pace

    The festival is also a wonderful way to explore local heritage in an unexpected setting. Concert venues include the evocative Clairière de l’Armistice, where the First World War armistice was signed, the fairytale-like Château de Pierrefonds, and the peaceful Abbey of Saint-Jean-aux-Bois.

    Between performances, visitors can enjoy relaxed moments with forest picnics and regional buffets, turning each outing into a full day of shared pleasure.

    A festival designed for families

    The Festival des Forêts is particularly welcoming for families. Special concerts and creative workshops introduce children from the age of four to music in a playful, accessible way, while the open-air setting gives younger visitors space to move, explore and engage.

    Beyond the concerts, the forest of Compiègne offers plenty of activities to extend the experience: traffic-free cycling routes through former royal hunting grounds, high-ropes adventure courses, and cultural stops that bring history to life. Children under 12 enjoy free entry to the festival, making it an easy and enriching choice for a family escape.

    A gentle, inspiring event where music becomes a pathway to nature, heritage and togetherness.