Afternoons in the Gardens

Every afternoon during the Dans les Jardins de William Christie, the artists of Les Arts Florissants invite audiences to gather in the idyllic setting of the Jardins de William Christie and the Quartier des Artistes for a unique experience where the beauty of nature meets the pleasure of music.

In addition to tickets released at the Festival’s opening, “fine weather” tickets will be made available on the day of each event by our partner, the Vendée Department, as soon as weather conditions allow for outdoor performances to be confirmed. 

Guided Garden Tours

2:45–3:30 PM

Specialists and devoted admirers of the Gardens of William Christie invite visitors to discover this “Remarkable Garden,” listed on the French Inventory of Historic Monuments, through specially designed guided tours for the Festival. These walks lead audiences through a series of diverse and inspiring garden spaces, shaped by William Christie over the years as part of an ongoing creative vision in constant evolution. 

Singing Workshop: “Stage Left, Garden Side, Tavern Side — Let’s Sing!”

2:45–3:30 PM

Singer Leïla Zlassi, a long-standing member of the Les Arts Florissants choir, invites audiences of all ages to discover Baroque music through the joy of shared singing. This edition offers two workshops inspired by the Festival’s main Miroir d’eau programmes: “Popular Rameau!” celebrates the composer’s boundless inventiveness, while “From the Tavern to the Stage!” explores the lively theatrical world of Henry Purcell. A joyful, family-friendly musical journey. 

Dance Discovery: “The Precious Gardens of the Marquise de Sévigné”

2:45–3:30 PM

Guided by dancer Pierre-François Dollé and musicians of Les Arts Florissants, festivalgoers are invited on a musical promenade through the garden islands, punctuated by introductions to Baroque dance during musical stops. This edition, inspired by the “Precious Gardens of the Marquise de Sévigné,” brings together music, dance and literary art in an immersive experience celebrating the refinement of the Grand Siècle. 

Concerts in the Gardens: Musical Walks

4:00–6:15 PM

A signature highlight of the Dans les Jardins de William Christie, these short performances invite audiences to explore different areas of the Gardens while discovering a variety of musical repertoire performed by the musicians of Les Arts Florissants. This year, each afternoon concludes with a special programme by internationally renowned lutenist Thomas Dunford, offering a unique musical finale to these wandering concerts. 

Ticket sales open on June 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Online: evenements.vendee.fr or vendee.fr 
By phone: +33 (0)2 28 85 85 70 
For any ticketing inquiries: billetterie@vendee.fr