Choir Tour to France - July 2025
The Cathedral Choir had a very successful tour to Normandy and Paris during July.
Seventeen choristers, twelve adults, the organists and pastoral staff had a six-day tour to the Cathedral's link diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux, and Paris.
They gave concerts of mixed programmes of anthems to large and very appreciative audiances at:
- 16 July - Basilica of Douvres-la-Deliverande, Normandy
- 17 July - Bayeux Cathedral (1986 choristers may remember a previous French tour when we sang evensong here)
- 18 July - Rouen Cathedral
- 19 July - Saint-Sulpice Church, 2 Rue Palatine, Paris
- 20 July - La Madeleine Church, Place de la Madeleine, Paris
The Precentor wrote in Cathedral News (25th July 2025): "... that the acoustics in the churches were a revelation to many of the choristers, who revelled in hearing their voices resonate for many seconds, in contrast to Exeter’s drier ambience. But of course, the social aspect of the tour was as important as the music-making. There were trips to the Bayeux Tapestry, the new British Normandy Memorial, the Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and a river cruise on a bateau-mouche. In addition, there were some super meals, and choristers were impressively adventurous in trying new foods: moules frites Normandaise (in cider) was a firm favourite!"
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(photographs: Exeter Cathedral News, 25 July 2025)
The tour was organised by Rayburn Tours and transport was by Blakes Coaches.
