Performances by harpist Hélène Breschand, a harp-making workshop with Susann Chuchollek, and morning workshops on traditional instrument-making. Open house at the castle.
Following the success of its “Steppes au château” music event in the fall of 2025, featuring Mongolian music, the Château de Verchaüs invites you to explore the harp and traditional instrument-making! For one week—and especially throughout the day on Saturday, October 17, the festival’s highlight—you’ll have the chance to discover the harp in new ways and learn about the craft of making musical instruments.
Celtic Harp-Making Workshop with Klangberg
Saturday, October 10, through Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Susann Chuchollek, a luthier, will guide you through the process of building your own instrument: a 23-string Celtic harp. You’ll take your instrument home with you at the end of the workshop.
The workshop lasts 5 full days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; be sure to allow a little extra time at the end of the last day for the final touches!
Registration and additional information via email at [email protected] or [email protected]
Participants have the option of staying for free at the castle in a dormitory. If you’re interested, please send a request to [email protected] to reserve your spot.
You’ll have the option to cook on-site.
Harp Discovery and Folk Instrument Making Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
A highlight of the festival, this day will allow you to explore Verchaüs Castle while immersing yourself in the world of the harp and experimental instrument-making through hands-on activities.
Harp Performances with Hélène Breschand
Harpist Hélène Breschand will be on site all day, performing in various locations throughout the château. A journey of sound and space!
An international soloist, composer, author, and performer in the field of contemporary creation—to whom numerous pieces have been dedicated—she belongs to a generation of musicians eager for cross-border experiences. Exploring the realms of total art, she has collaborated in dance, film, theater, and the visual arts with Eliane Radigue, Christian Marclay, Karelle Prugnaud, The Dø, David Toop, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Caecilia Tripp, Christian Ubl…
Her current groups include: Chansons du Crépuscule with Elliott Sharp, Imaginarium with Wilfried Wendling, and IRE with Kasper Toeplitz and Franck Vigroux.
She also collaborates with Uriel Barthélémi, Kerwin Rolland, eRikm, and others.
https://helenebreschand.fr/
The collective’s “wild instrument-making” workshops
The artists and artisans at Château de Verchaüs will offer short “wild instrument-making” workshops throughout the day.
Come learn how to make a slide zither, an ocarina, or even metal or clay bells!
Château de Verchaüs
Equipments / Services
Openings / Rates
From Saturday 10 to Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Saturday 17 October 2026 between 9 am and 8 pm.
