Founded in 1979 by William Christie, Les Arts Florissants is one of the most renowned baroque music ensembles in the world. Faithful to the interpretation on period instruments, they are committed to rediscovering the European music of the 17th and 18th centuries in all its actuality.
Under the direction of William Christie and Paul Agnew (who became Co-Music Director in 2020), Les Arts Florissants offers more than 100 concerts and performances each year in France and around the world: opera productions, major concerts with choir and orchestra, chamber music, staged concerts, etc.
Les Arts Florissants is involved in the training of young artists, notably through the Académie du Jardin des Voix for young singers, the Arts Flo Juniors program and the partnership with the Juilliard School of Music in New York. They also offer initiatives to open up to new audiences, aimed at both amateur musicians and non-musicians, children and adults.
Les Arts Florissants' discography and video heritage is rich with more than a hundred titles, including their own collection in collaboration with Harmonia Mundi.
In partnership with the Conseil départemental de la Vendée, the Ensemble launched in 2012 the annual Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie, and in 2017 the Spring Festival in the South Vendée. In 2017 the project of Les Arts Florissants was labeled "Centre culturel de rencontre" - a national label distinguishing a project that brings together in the same dynamic creation, transmission and heritage. January 2018 saw the birth of the Les Arts Florissants - William Christie Foundation.