Rencontres Internationales Frédéric Chopin
(International Frédéric Chopin Festival)

Frédéric Chopin came to Nohant for the first time in 1839 and returned every summer (with the exception of the year 1840) until 1846. During his visits to Nohant, he composed nearly two thirds of his work and the larger part of his main works.

The Rencontres Internationales Frédéric Chopin (International Frédéric Chopin Festival) was created in 1997 to pay homage to this composer whose name will always be associated with George Sand’s House. Organized every year, for eight consecutive days in the second half of July, this event will completely immerse you in the world of Chopin through concerts, master classes and lectures given by specialists from all over the world.

Among the pianists, Nelson Freire, Jean-Marc Luisada and Dominique Merlet, the lecturers Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger, Jean Roy and André Tubeuf and the teachers Milosz Magin and Janusz Olejnicsak, can be mentioned. The opening of the festival begins, every year, with a concert-reading given with the windows open in the Home of George Sand in the presence of Sonia Rykiel, honorary president of the festival.  Young soloists from well-known musical establishments in France and abroad are accommodated in the residence for the whole week, taking part in the master classes and playing in the closing concert.

The master classes and lectures of the festival take place at the Théâtre de la Châtre, whereas the concerts take place in Nohant, in the sheepfold of the George Sand Estate.