For 56 years, the Saint-Denis Festival has been dedicated to combining classical music with the architectural heritage of Saint-Denis. It is one of the rare musical events to be able to boast of this longevity in France and Europe. It is undoubtedly the uniqueness of the Festival, born of a demanding combination, that allows it to reach this age: a 12th century Basilica in the heart of a popular, moving city.

It thus offers each year in June, at the Basilica and in the Maison d’Éducation de la Légion d’honneur, a program of major works from the repertoire and creations performed by internationally renowned artists as well as promising young artists. Eager to open up to other aesthetics, the Festival has also presented jazz, pop and world music concerts since its beginnings.

Since the 2024 edition, the Festival has offered several new formats: a preview concert at the Saint-Denys-de-l’Estrée Church (of which Viollet-le-Duc was the architect); intimate concerts in the magnificent upper choir of the Basilica; a Saint-Denis Festival for children; a film concert in the Basilica.

The Festival is also and above all a story shared by all the inhabitants of the territory. For 30 years, the Saint-Denis Festival has organized throughout the year, before each edition, numerous awareness-raising activities for young and old in order to make its programming accessible.

In addition, for more than 20 years, the Festival has organized, through its Métis Plaine Commune component, free open-air concerts in the territory of the urban community dedicated to the intersection of “learned” music and oral tradition.