AR(t)CHIPEL Festival
Contemporary art trail in Centre-Val de Loire, with Centre Pompidou
About AR(t)CHIPEL
AR(t)CHIPEL Festival: When the Centre Pompidou comes to Centre-Val de Loire
Created in 2023, the AR(t)CHIPEL Festival is a major cultural event born from a unique partnership between the Centre Pompidou and the Centre-Val de Loire Region. Every autumn, for five weeks from late September to early November, this free festival invites the public to discover contemporary art in a different way: by visiting artists' studios, exploring new exhibitions, and admiring works from the Centre Pompidou installed in the heart of the region's museums and heritage sites.
Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou in the heart of the territories
The festival's originality lies in the dissemination of exceptional works from Europe's leading collection of modern and contemporary art outside their usual setting. Works by Man Ray, Picasso, Chagall, Masson, Debré, Sarkis, and many other artists leave the walls of the Centre Pompidou to join the region's museums, creating new dialogues with local collections and the architectural heritage of the host venues.
Tours, the festival's flagship city
In Tours, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the festival's major venues. Dozens of works from the Centre Pompidou are presented there, allowing visitors to discover masterpieces of modern and contemporary art in dialogue with the collections of the Tours museum. The exhibitions explore various themes, such as the reinterpretation of ancient myths through the lens of contemporary creation, confronting 18th-century works from the museum's collections with creations by modern and contemporary artists.
An archipelago of places and experiences
True to its name, the festival unfolds like an archipelago of places and experiences throughout the region: museums, galleries, artists' studios open to the public, heritage sites, and cultural spaces in Chartres, Orléans, Blois, Tours, Bourges, and many other towns and villages. This territorial dissemination allows it to reach diverse audiences and highlight the cultural richness of the entire Centre-Val de Loire region.
Meetings with artists and creators
The festival also offers guided tours, meetings with artists, mediation workshops, and themed trails, allowing the public to understand creative processes and engage with contemporary art in a lively and interactive way. The entire festival is free of charge, affirming the commitment to making contemporary art accessible to the greatest number.
A national-scale cultural event
The AR(t)CHIPEL Festival is part of the Nouvelles Renaissance(s) program led by the Centre-Val de Loire Region, which aims to make the region a benchmark territory for art and culture. The partnership with the Centre Pompidou, an internationally renowned cultural institution, gives the festival a national dimension and exceptional reach, attracting both art lovers and visitors seeking discovery.
AR(t)CHIPEL — edition 2026
The 4th edition of the AR(t)CHIPEL Festival takes place from October 15 to November 22, 2026, throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region. This edition honors two major figures of modern art who lived and worked in the region: Alexander Calder and Max Ernst. Like every autumn, this free festival offers contemporary art discovery trails combining works from the Centre Pompidou, new exhibitions, and open artist studios. In Tours, the Musée des Beaux-Arts hosts masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou in dialogue with its collections.
4th Edition — Autumn 2026: Calder and Max Ernst at the Heart of the Region
For its fourth edition, from October 15 to November 22, 2026, the AR(t)CHIPEL Festival celebrates Alexander Calder and Max Ernst, two artists whose lives and work are deeply linked to Centre-Val de Loire. Born from the partnership between the Centre-Val de Loire Region and the Centre Pompidou, the festival remains entirely free.
« Calder at the Heart of France »
The trail dedicated to Alexander Calder unfolds in about fifteen emblematic locations in the region: the châteaux of Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, and Blois, the Fine Arts museums of Orléans, Tours, and Chartres, and the Atelier Calder in Saché, where the American sculptor set up his studio.
« Max Ernst, De Natura » at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire hosts an exhibition dedicated to Max Ernst, focusing on his relationship with nature and landscape.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Tours
In Tours, the Musée des Beaux-Arts presents works from the Centre Pompidou in dialogue with its collections, around the great themes of mythology: the Galerie de Diane notably brings together Faune by Simone Boisecq (1956), The Fall of Icarus by Marc Chagall (1974-1977), The Abduction by André Masson (1931), and The Rape of the Sabine Women by Pablo Picasso (1962).
Nearly 90 Open Artist Studios
The festival once again offers open artist studios, organized by department throughout the autumn weekends. In total, nearly 90 studios open their doors to the public, and about fifteen contemporary art exhibitions are presented throughout the region.
Programme AR(t)CHIPEL 2026
The 4th edition (October 15 — November 22, 2026) revolves around two major figures: Alexander Calder and Max Ernst.
Key Exhibitions
- « Calder at the Heart of France » — trail in about fifteen locations: châteaux of Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, and Blois, Fine Arts museums of Orléans, Tours, and Chartres, Atelier Calder in Saché, Bourges, Issoudun…
- « Max Ernst, De Natura » — Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Musée des Beaux-Arts in Tours — works from the Centre Pompidou in dialogue with the museum's collections (Galerie de Diane: Simone Boisecq, Marc Chagall, André Masson, Pablo Picasso)
Open Artist Studios (by department)
- Indre-et-Loire (37) : October 16, 17, 18, 2026
- Cher (18) : October 23, 24, 25, 2026
- Eure-et-Loir (28) : October 30 — November 1, 2026
- Loir-et-Cher (41) : November 6, 7, 8, 2026
- Indre (36) : November 13, 14, 15, 2026
- Loiret (45) : November 20, 21, 22, 2026
Nearly 90 open artist studios and about fifteen contemporary art exhibitions. Detailed program available on the Nouvelles Renaissance(s) website.
Highlights AR(t)CHIPEL 2026
- 4th edition — from October 15 to November 22, 2026
- Tribute to Alexander Calder and Max Ernst, artists linked to Centre-Val de Loire
- « Calder at the Heart of France » in about fifteen locations (Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Atelier Calder in Saché…)
- « Max Ernst, De Natura » at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Works from the Centre Pompidou at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Tours
- Nearly 90 artist studios open to the public
- Completely free festival
Prices AR(t)CHIPEL 2026
Practical information — AR(t)CHIPEL
Practical Information
Dates
The festival takes place every autumn throughout the Centre-Val de Loire region. The 4th edition runs from October 15 to November 22, 2026, with open artist studios organized by department over the weekends.
Prices
The entire festival offers free admission.
Locations in Tours
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, 18 place François Sicard, 37000 Tours. Many other venues participate throughout the region (Châteaux de Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Atelier Calder in Saché, Fine Arts Museums of Orléans and Chartres…).
Website
Full program and visitor routes on the Nouvelles Renaissance(s) website (nouvelles-renaissances.com) and on the Centre-Val de Loire Region website.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — AR(t)CHIPEL
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours et lieux partenaires
18 place François Sicard, 37000 Tours