Perched above Lake Geneva, La Grange au Lac is a surprising find amongst a forest of larch trees.

Its architecture is understated but immediately recognisable with its saw-tooth roofline, whilst the interior reveals the architectural details that make this place so magical. Dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich, its exceptional acoustics and its distinctive architecture make this the only concert hall in the world of its kind.

An unparalleled setting

 

Designed by architect Patrick Bouchain and the BAOS collective, La Grange au Lac was built in 1993. Inspired by the vernacular architecture, it echoes the simple, parallelepipedal shape of traditional Savoyard barns. This form puts it in the concert hall category known as "shoebox". Made entirely from wood, it stands out for its use of cedar and pine which emphasise its roots in local tradition whilst also giving it its warmth, its scent and its incomparable resonance. 

Inside, a forest of beech trees standing at the back of the stage, a sculptural abat-son suspended from the ceiling, and majestic chandeliers create a striking contrast with the simplicity of the architecture. These small touches act as a counterpoint to the seemingly rustic feel of the venue, never failing to delight and bestowing La Grange au Lac with an identity that marries the simple and the spectacular.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de Concert à Evian - Salle de la Grange au Lac vide

World class acoustics

To create the acoustics at La Grange au Lac, Patrick Bouchain worked with Albert Yaying Xu, an internationally-renowned specialist. Together, they determined the ideal proportions for the venue - 40 metres long, 20 wide, 18 high, for the initial 1,100-place capacity - and selected wood as the ideal material due to its capacity to absorb and reflect sound. Suspended like a work of art above the audience, an abat-son made from Alucobond® interplays with the wooden relief behind the stage. Together they act as one device helping to circulate and balance the sound. Widely regarded as outstanding, the acoustics of La Grange au Lac were reworked in 2022, shortly before Albert Yaying Xu's death, to adapt to the new use of the venue for larger orchestras and to offset the effects of the wood's natural ageing.

 

A stage offering all possibilities

 

Now with its stage extended to 200 m², La Grange au Lac can host groups of all sizes, including large orchestras. Its rear balcony, which holds the beech forest, offers a distinctive theatrical dimension overhanging the stage and reveals great potential for staging. From chamber music to epic symphonies, via opera, dance and other expressions of the performing arts, La Grange au Lac provides rare versatility and an exceptional decor.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de concert à Evian - Concert à la Grange au Lac Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Spectacle du Béjart Ballet Lausanne Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Letesu, Melac, Modigliani Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Sophie Alour G. Latil, P.Perchaud Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Sonya Yoncheva à la Grange au lac Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Orchestre de Parie Kistiane Karg, Klaus Makela

The features that define La Grange au Lac

 

From the birch forest to the chandeliers, from the bell to Cyrillic texts, La Grange au Lac features many architectural details that each have a purpose or meaning, and which bestow upon the venue its distinctive character.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - forêt de boulot emblématique de la Grange au Lac

The birch forest

 

The birch forest is the symbol of La Grange au Lac. Thought up as a nod to Mstislav Rostropovich, to whom the venue is dedicated, it was developed from the initial intuition of the architect Patrick Bouchain, who first had the idea to retain a few trees actually inside the building. That approach was not possible in itself, but the idea matured in another way, in the form of a forest recreated at the back of the stage, with a set of mirrors enhancing the visual effect. Today this gives the décor a unique intensity, contributing to its distinctive character, unique and magical, in essence the soul of La Grange au Lac. 

Les Mélèzes, Salles de Concert à Evian - Lustres en cristal de la Grange au Lac

The chandeliers

 

The chandeliers are an integral part of La Grange au Lac, and one of the elements that gives the venue its identity. Their crystal silhouettes contrast with the simplicity of the surrounding wood: a touch of luxury that adds to the venue's magic.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Abat-son pour l'acoustique de la Grange au lac

The abat-son

 

The vast aluminium shell suspended from the ceiling is not just there for the aesthetics. Above all, it has a purpose, that of giving La Grange au Lac its unanimously lauded acoustics.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - écritures cyrilliques des Mélèzes, dédicasse à Mstislav Rostropovich

The Cyrillic texts

 

On La Grange au Lac's walls, certain words can also be found in Cyrillic. This detail is a discreet nod to the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, to whom the venue is dedicated, and his homeland of Russia. It bears witness more broadly to the venue’s openness to the world, hosting the leading artists on the global classical music scene.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - forêt de boulot emblématique de la Grange au Lac

The birch forest

 

The birch forest is the symbol of La Grange au Lac. Thought up as a nod to Mstislav Rostropovich, to whom the venue is dedicated, it was developed from the initial intuition of the architect Patrick Bouchain, who first had the idea to retain a few trees actually inside the building. That approach was not possible in itself, but the idea matured in another way, in the form of a forest recreated at the back of the stage, with a set of mirrors enhancing the visual effect. Today this gives the décor a unique intensity, contributing to its distinctive character, unique and magical, in essence the soul of La Grange au Lac. 

Les Mélèzes, Salles de Concert à Evian - Lustres en cristal de la Grange au Lac

The chandeliers

 

The chandeliers are an integral part of La Grange au Lac, and one of the elements that gives the venue its identity. Their crystal silhouettes contrast with the simplicity of the surrounding wood: a touch of luxury that adds to the venue's magic.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - Abat-son pour l'acoustique de la Grange au lac

The abat-son

 

The vast aluminium shell suspended from the ceiling is not just there for the aesthetics. Above all, it has a purpose, that of giving La Grange au Lac its unanimously lauded acoustics.

Les Mélèzes, Salles de spectacles à Evian - écritures cyrilliques des Mélèzes, dédicasse à Mstislav Rostropovich

The Cyrillic texts

 

On La Grange au Lac's walls, certain words can also be found in Cyrillic. This detail is a discreet nod to the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, to whom the venue is dedicated, and his homeland of Russia. It bears witness more broadly to the venue’s openness to the world, hosting the leading artists on the global classical music scene.

Upcoming concerts at La Grange au Lac

Les Mélèzes, salles de spectacles à Evian - Sunwook Kim © Marco Borggreve
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

jeudi 25 juin 2026 à 20:00

CAMERATA SALZBURG | GUILLAUME CHILEMME | SUNWOOK KIM

Kraus, Mozart

La Grange au Lac

More information
BRAHMS _3.jpg
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

vendredi 26 juin 2026 à 20:00

BRAHMS IN ÉVIAN #3

Renaud Capuçon, María Dueñas, Clara-Jumi Kang, Yamen Saadi, Gérard Caussé, Sara Ferrández, Timothy Ridout, Paul Zientara, Clemens Hagen, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Moreau, Kian Soltani, Yuja Wang

complet : s'inscrire sur la liste d'attente

La Grange au Lac

More information
Les Mélèzes, salles de spectacles à Evian - Barbara Hannigan © Marco Borggreve
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

samedi 27 juin 2026 à 20:00

MÜNCHNER PHILHARMONIKER | BARBARA HANNIGAN

Copland, Haydn, Offenbach, Weill

Dernières places disponibles

La Grange au Lac

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Les Mélèzes, salles de spectacle à Evian - Tugan Sokhiev © Marco Borggreve
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

dimanche 28 juin 2026 à 20:00

THE PHILHARMONIC BRASS | TUGAN SOKHIEV

Chostakovitch, Borodine, Dvořák, Rossini, Verdi, Martucci, Puccini, Respighi

complet : s'inscrire sur la liste d'attente

La Grange au Lac

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Les Mélèzes, salles de spectacle à Evian - Yannick Nézet-Séguin © George Etheredge
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

mardi 30 juin 2026 à 20:00

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF EUROPE | YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN | ROMAIN GUYOT

Schubert, Weber, Mendelssohn

Dernières places disponibles

La Grange au Lac

More information
BRAHMS _7.jpg
Rencontres Musicales d’Évian

mercredi 1 juillet 2026 à 20:00

BRAHMS IN ÉVIAN #7

Renaud Capuçon, Daniel Lozakovich, Paul Zientara, Gautier Capuçon, Yuja Wang

Dernières places disponibles

La Grange au Lac

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