Collectif Cieux Ouverts is a French gathering of worship musicians and singers born in 2014, led notably by Samuel Olivier and Elisa Valbon. Carried by songs like Abba Père, watched more than eight million times on YouTube, it released its third album, Grâce Infinie, in 2025.
Collectif Cieux Ouverts was born in 2014 out of a desire to worship God beyond denominational boundaries. Built around Samuel Olivier and Elisa Valbon, it brings together musicians, singers, technicians, and dancers from different Christian backgrounds, with a shared goal: to give the French speaking church accessible worship songs, centered on God and designed to be sung together as a community.
The collective became known with the album Éveille-toi mon âme in 2014, then Abba Père in 2016, whose video now has more than eight million views on YouTube. In 2025, it recorded its third album live at the Cabaret Sauvage in Paris, Grâce Infinie, with an expanded team of musicians: Benjamin Nussbaumer, Nishma Nussbaumer, Allyster Taubeneck, Grégoire Vallette, Benjamin Sick, and Murielle Fabre.
- Origin
- France (national collective)
- Style
- Contemporary worship
- Active since
- 2014
- Good to know
- The video for the song Abba Père has passed eight million views on YouTube, one of the high points of French speaking worship online.
How did Collectif Cieux Ouverts get started?
Collectif Cieux Ouverts was born in 2014 out of a desire to move past denominational labels and experience worship together. From the start it brought together musicians, singers, and worship leaders from different Christian backgrounds, around Samuel Olivier and Elisa Valbon.
That same year saw the release of the album Éveille-toi mon âme, followed in 2016 by Abba Père, two projects quickly taken up by churches of very different traditions.
What makes Collectif Cieux Ouverts distinctive?
Unlike a fixed band, Collectif Cieux Ouverts works as an extended community of musicians (Benjamin Nussbaumer, Nishma Nussbaumer, Allyster Taubeneck, Grégoire Vallette, Benjamin Sick, Murielle Fabre) who, for the most part, keep their professional lives and families alongside the musical project. This setup explains how rare their concerts are, but also the care put into each recording, such as the live album Grâce Infinie at the Cabaret Sauvage in Paris, in February 2025.
Where should you start with Collectif Cieux Ouverts?
Abba Père, their most watched song, remains the best entry point, before you explore the new album Grâce Infinie, released in September 2025, and earlier tracks like Victorieux.
songs
Abba Père
The collective's most watched song, with more than eight million views on YouTube.
Grâce Infinie
The flagship track of the live album of the same name, recorded in Paris in 2025.
Victorieux
A song affirming the victory given in Christ, performed with Nishma.
Discography
- 2025Grâce Infinie· Live album recorded at the Cabaret Sauvage, in Paris.
- 2016Abba Père
- 2014Éveille-toi mon âme
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Collectif Cieux Ouverts?
Collectif Cieux Ouverts is a French gathering of worship musicians and singers, born in 2014 around Samuel Olivier and Elisa Valbon, to experience and offer worship songs beyond denominational boundaries.
What is Collectif Cieux Ouverts' best known song?
Abba Père, released in 2016, is the collective's most watched song, with more than eight million views on YouTube.
Where can you listen to Collectif Cieux Ouverts?
The collective's songs are available on its official YouTube channel, with more than 76,000 subscribers, as well as on the usual streaming platforms.
Is Collectif Cieux Ouverts Christian?
Yes. The collective brings together musicians from different Christian backgrounds around a shared goal: giving the French speaking church worship songs centered on God.
Who leads Collectif Cieux Ouverts?
Samuel Olivier and Elisa Valbon are the central figures of the collective, surrounded by a team of musicians including Benjamin Nussbaumer, Nishma Nussbaumer, Allyster Taubeneck, Grégoire Vallette, Benjamin Sick, and Murielle Fabre.
What is Collectif Cieux Ouverts' latest album?
Grâce Infinie, released in September 2025, is the collective's third album, recorded live at the Cabaret Sauvage, in Paris, in February of the same year.