One of my strongest wishes is to live where there is a cultural season that will make me happy. May be beyond my means, but I can at least try to be within reach of a good concert season. Have been researching and share my findings here. I’ve put together the list of links to make it easy to check out what sort of season is offered. Compiling these lists has brought to my attention what a special city Toulouse is for classical music events.
Opera houses and companies
- Aix-en-Provence – Grand Théâtre de Provence
- Angers – Grand Théâtre, one host of Angers Nantes Opéra
- Avignon – Opéra Grand Avignon
- Bordeaux – Le Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux, home of Opéra National de Bordeaux
- Caen – Théâtre de Caen, home to Les Arts Florissants
- Colmar – Théâtre municipal de Colmar, one host of the Opéra national du Rhin
- Dijon – Grand Théâtre de Dijon and L’Auditorium Robert-Poujade, hosts of Opéra de Dijon
- Lille – Opéra de Lille
- Limoges – Opéra de Limoges
- Lyon – Opéra national de Lyon, home to Opéra de Lyon
- Marseille – Opéra de Marseille and Théâtre du Odéon
- Metz – Opéra-Théâtre Metz Eurométropole Metz
- Montpellier – L’opéra Comédie, home to Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier
- Mulhouse – Opéra national du Rhin
- Nancy – Opéra national de Lorraine
- Nantes – Théâtre Graslin, one host of Angers Nantes Opéra
- Nice – Opéra de Nice
- Paris – Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille, homes to Opéra national de Paris,; Opéra Comique
- Reims – Reims Opera House
- Rouen – Opéra de Rouen Normandie
- Saint-Etienne – Opéra de Saint-Etienne
- Strasbourg – Strasbourg Opera House, main seat of Opéra national du Rhin
- Toulon – Le Grand Théâtre de Toulon, home of Opéra de Toulon
- Toulouse –Théâtre du Capitole, home to Opéra national Capitole Toulouse
- Tours – Grand Théâtre de Tours, home to Opéra de Tours Orchestre Symphonique
- Versailles – Château de Versailles, home to Opéra real de Versailles
Symphony orchestras and other classical ensembles
- Alfortville
- Orchestre national d’Île-de-France
- Amiens
- Orchestre de Picardie
- Angers
- Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
- Avignon
- Orchestre National Avignon-Provence
- Besançon Montbéliard
- Orchestre Victor Hugo Franche-Comté
- Caen
- Orchestre de Caen
- Orchestre Régional de Normandie
- Cannes
- Orchestre national de Cannes
- Champigny-sur-Marne
- Ensemble 2e2m
- Clermont Ferrand
- Orchestre national d’Auvergne
- Dijon
- Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
- Douai
- Orchestre de Douai
- Grenoble
- Les Musiciens du Louvre
- Le Bourget-du-Lac
- Orchestre des Pays de Savoie
- Lille
- Orchestre national de Lille
- Lyon
- L’AO – Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon
- Metz
- l’Orchestre national de Metz Grand Est
- Montigny-lès-Metz
- Musique de l’Arme Blindée Cavalerie de Metz
- Mulhouse
- Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse
- Nanterre
- Les Siècles
- Nice
- Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice
- Orléans
- Orchestre Symphonique d’Orléans
- Pau
- Orchestre de Pau Pays de Béarn
- Poitiers
- Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Rennes
- Orchestre National de Bretagne
- Strasbourg
- Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
- Toulouse
- Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse
- Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse
- Tours
- Orchestre Région Centre Val de Loire
Amarillis Ensemble, while based in Angers, seems not to have a performing home but to present concerts around the country. Likewise, the very interesting ancient music group Ensemble Gilles Binchois, headquartered in Dijon and with a mailing address in Fleurey-sur-Ouche , performs in many regions.
- Besançon: Orchestre des Régions Européennes has been reported online, but seems to have no upcoming concerts. Defunct?
- Bordeaux: Ensemble Orchestral de Bordeaux has been reported permanently closed. Last activity seems to have been in 2017.
Paris: an embarrassment of riches
I can find 16 orchestras or classical ensembles in Paris, and all seem very active. No need to evaluate the attractions of Paris: all too obvious, in a city where real estate is ridiculously expensive. When going to Paris, best to just check the sites I mentioned in Finding and Booking Concerts, for the dates you will have available.
A few interesting choirs
As of course there are choirs at all churches, universities and conservatories, there is no use trying to be comprehensive. I have looked to find a few choirs that focus most on classical and sacred music, my preferences.
- Cannes – Chœur de Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage
- Le Mans – Choeur de l’Université du Mans
- Lille – Choeur Régional Hauts-de-France
- Meudon – Chœur de Meudon
- Rouen – Accentus – their season includes opera
- Toulouse – Les éléments
Arsys Bourgogne in Vézelay sounds very interesting but it seems they haven’t performed for several years, so I assume they have disbanded.
I welcome additions and corrections, and especially welcome comments on or evaluations of the groups here that you have heard in live performance. Please share in the comments section!