Borne to Be Alive - Contemporary Art Trail

Borne to Be Alive: Contemporary Art Along the Borne

Each summer, the banks of the Borne River in Aiguilhe, at the foot of the majestic volcanic rock topped by the Saint-Michel chapel, transform into an open-air contemporary art trail. Borne to Be Alive is an invitation to an artistic stroll along the river, in a natural and rural setting in the heart of the Le Puy-en-Velay agglomeration.

A Collective of Engaged Artists

The event is driven by the collective "Viens chez moi j'expose chez ma voisine", a group of professional and amateur artists from Le Puy-en-Velay active for over ten years. True to its participatory approach and spirit of sharing, the collective operates with modest means and remarkable collective energy. Since its beginnings, it has organized popular exhibitions in unusual places—apartments, courtyards, gardens—before settling on the banks of the Borne to create this outdoor trail.

A Poetic Trail Between Two Bridges

The trail extends along the banks of the Borne, from the François Martin bridge to the Pinède bridge, passing through the community gardens and the picturesque Pont Tordu (Twisted Bridge). The starting point is the Cluny parking lot in Aiguilhe. More than ten visual artists take over this space to create ephemeral installations in dialogue with the surrounding nature: sculptures, textile works made by knitters, visual and sound creations.

Red dots mark the trail to guide walkers from one artwork to the next. Each installation is designed to evoke emotion, poetry, or surprise in passers-by who become spectators.

Live Performances and Festive Gatherings

Beyond the permanent installations on the trail, Borne to Be Alive offers a program of live performances at the Pont Tordu and along the trail: storytelling based on artworks, Japanese kamishibaï theater, contemporary dance performances, nocturnal light paintings, puppetry, and clown shows. The "Printemps de la Borne" picnic is a key friendly event that brings artists and residents together for a shared meal by the water.

A Free Event Accessible to All

Entirely free and open access, Borne to Be Alive is for all audiences: families, walkers, art lovers, and the curious. The trail is accessible from the Cluny parking lot in Aiguilhe and can be explored at your own pace, during a walk along the Borne. This event contributes to the cultural and artistic influence of the Velay region, in an exceptional heritage setting between the Aiguilhe rock and the volcanoes of Velay.