Artpenteurs
Contemporary art festival in the heart of nature in Flanders
About Artpenteurs
Created in 2024 by Cœur de Flandre Agglo, the Artpenteurs festival is a contemporary art trail in the heart of nature that unfolds from June to autumn across the landscapes of French Flanders, from Steenvoorde to Bailleul. About ten monumental and ephemeral works, created by artists specializing in land art and contemporary art, come to life in remarkable natural sites: mountains, meadows, hiking trails, and bocages. Free and accessible to all, this festival invites wandering, contemplation, and an encounter between art and nature.
Artpenteurs: monumental art in the landscapes of Flanders
Since 2024, the Artpenteurs festival has been transforming the landscapes of Cœur de Flandre into an open-air museum. From Steenvoorde to Bailleul, passing through the Flanders mountains, about ten monumental and ephemeral works take over remarkable natural sites for an outdoor artistic journey lasting several months — from June to autumn depending on the editions.
Land art at the heart of the territory
Each edition invites contemporary artists specializing in land art, monumental sculpture, and environmental art to create works in dialogue with the Flemish landscape. The creations, often spectacular in size, use natural or recycled materials and interact with their environment: light, wind, vegetation, and relief.
The works are installed in locations chosen for their landscape and heritage quality, spread across the Cœur de Flandre agglomeration and, since 2026, extending to the cross-border municipality of Heuvelland in Belgium:
- Le Drievenmeulen in Steenvoorde: site of emblematic windmills.
- Le Mont Boeschèpe: highest point offering an exceptional panorama.
- The hiking trails of Berthen, Flêtre, and Terdeghem: Flemish bocages and meadows.
- The Monts de Flandre: rolling landscapes and preserved natural spaces.
- Communes of Godewaersvelde, Saint-Jans-Cappel, Méteren, Bailleul, Steenwerck, Nieppe: extensions of the trail depending on the editions.
A trail to explore
The festival's name is a play on words between “arpenteurs” (those who measure and traverse lands) and “art”. The trail is designed to be explored on foot or by bike, inviting visitors to rediscover their territory from an artistic angle. Each work is accompanied by an explanatory label and a hiking itinerary connecting the different installations. An audioguide via the Wivisites platform and three thematic cycling routes (7 km, 18 km, 45 km) are offered.
An eco-responsible festival
The Artpenteurs festival is part of an eco-responsible approach: works created from natural or recycled materials, routes accessible by soft mobility, raising awareness of local biodiversity and natural heritage.
Artpenteurs — edition 2026
The 2nd edition of the Artpenteurs festival will unfold from June 1st to October 31st, 2026 across the landscapes of Cœur de Flandre, with a cross-border extension to the Belgian municipality of Heuvelland. Eleven ephemeral works created by land art and contemporary art artists will come to life in the natural sites of the territory, including a participatory work co-created with the inhabitants.
2nd Edition — From June 1st to October 31st, 2026
After the success of its first edition, the Artpenteurs festival returns in 2026 with 11 ephemeral works installed in the landscapes of Cœur de Flandre, from June 1st to October 31st. Artists and designers specializing in land art and contemporary art are invited to create monumental works interacting with the landscape and the environment.
A cross-border extension in 2026
New for this 2nd edition: the route extends beyond the municipalities of Cœur de Flandre agglo to the Belgian municipality of Heuvelland, strengthening the Franco-Belgian cultural ties dear to the Flanders region. Eleven municipalities will each host a monumental installation.
A participatory work co-created with the inhabitants
Among the eleven works, one is participatory: co-created with the inhabitants, it aims to strengthen the link between art, the territory, and its community. The festival also plans experiences day and night, with some installations designed to interact with nocturnal light.
Artist Selection
The call for applications closed on December 14, 2025. The auditions were held on January 15 and 16, 2026, and the selected artists were announced on January 19, 2026. The detailed program — names of artists and precise location of works — will be unveiled by Cœur de Flandre Agglo closer to the opening of the 2026 edition.
Highlights Artpenteurs 2026
- Dates: from June 1st to October 31st, 2026 (5 months of exhibition)
- 11 ephemeral works in 11 municipalities of Flanders
- 2nd edition of the festival
- Cross-border extension to Heuvelland (Belgium)
- A participatory work co-created with the inhabitants
- Day and night experiences
- Free route, on foot or by bike
- 3 thematic cycling routes (7, 18 and 45 km) and Wivisites audio guide
Prices Artpenteurs 2026
Practical information — Artpenteurs
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: The artwork sites are spread between Steenvoorde, Bailleul, and surrounding towns, accessible via the A25 (Steenvoorde or Bailleul exit). Parking lots are available near the starting points of the routes.
By bike: The route is ideally suited for discovery by bike. Cycle paths connect the different artworks.
On foot: Marked hiking trails allow you to explore the festival from one artwork to another.
Period
The festival is accessible from June to the end of September/October, with free and open access. The works are visible day and night.
Prices
Festival is entirely free and open access.
Practical Advice
- Download the trail map from the Cœur de Flandre Agglo website.
- Bring walking shoes suitable for country paths.
- The complete trail covers several tens of kilometers; plan your visits accordingly.
- Respect the natural spaces and the artworks (do not touch or climb).
- Guided tours are organized occasionally; check the program on the official website.
Accessibility
The trail follows country paths that are not always accessible to people with reduced mobility. Some works are located by the roadside and accessible by car. Contact Cœur de Flandre Agglo for adapted routes.
With Children
The trail is suitable for families. Children particularly enjoy discovering the monumental works in nature. Bring clothing and shoes suitable for country paths. Picnic areas are located along the route.
Discover Cœur de Flandre
Take advantage of the festival to discover the exceptional landscapes of the Monts de Flandre: Mont Cassel, Mont des Cats and its abbeys, traditional estaminets, and artisanal breweries of the region. The network of hiking trails allows you to combine art and discovery of the Flemish terroir.
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Where does it take place — Artpenteurs
Sites naturels du Cœur de Flandre
222 Bis rue de Vieux Berquin, 59190 Hazebrouck, 59114 Steenvoorde