European Days of Arts and Crafts
Festival in Ille-et-Vilaine
About European Days of Arts and Crafts
The European Artistic Crafts Days (JEMA) are a free national and European event held annually in spring (early April). In Ille-et-Vilaine, and particularly in Rennes, artisan workshops, manufacturers, training centers, and cultural venues open their doors to the public. It's an opportunity to discover numerous artistic crafts — ceramics, cabinetmaking, jewelry, lutherie, stone carving, mosaic, restoration… — through demonstrations, exhibitions, and meetings with artisans.
The European Artistic Crafts Days in Ille-et-Vilaine
The European Artistic Crafts Days (JEMA) are coordinated nationally by the Institut National des Métiers d'Art (INMA). This free event, organized every spring simultaneously across France and Europe, invites the public to step into workshops to meet craftspeople and observe their techniques.
An event to discover
In Ille-et-Vilaine, several locations participate in the event. In Rennes, the Cité Pierre Louaïl (crafts center, 13-15 boulevard Franklin-Roosevelt) brings together about twenty artisans for an open weekend: ceramists, jewelers, sculptors, cabinetmakers, upholsterers, luthiers, and mosaicists present their work there. Other sites in the department, such as the Fondation de Coubertin (Ateliers Saint-Jacques) or the commune of Bazouges-la-Pérouse, also offer discovery tours of artistic crafts.
Information and program
The detailed program by location and commune is published annually on the official event website, www.journeesdesmetiersdart.fr, as well as on the pages of local tourist offices. Access is free.
European Days of Arts and Crafts — edition 2026
The 20th edition of the European Artistic Crafts Days (JEMA) took place from April 7 to 12, 2026, throughout France and Europe, on the theme « Cœurs à l'ouvrage » (Hearts at Work). In Ille-et-Vilaine, workshops, manufactures, training centers, and cultural venues — particularly in Rennes — opened their doors to introduce the public to the expertise of artisans and creators in artistic crafts. Access was free.
2026 Edition — « Cœurs à l'ouvrage »
From April 7 to 12, 2026, Ille-et-Vilaine participated in the 20th edition of the European Artistic Crafts Days, a national and European event coordinated by the Institut National des Métiers d'Art (INMA). The 2026 edition, which celebrated the event's 20th anniversary, highlighted the theme « Cœurs à l'ouvrage » (Hearts at Work): demonstrations, open workshops, exhibitions, guided tours, and meetings with artisans.
Highlights in Ille-et-Vilaine
In Rennes, the Cité Pierre Louaïl (artistic crafts center, 13-15 boulevard Franklin-Roosevelt) opened its doors on April 11 and 12: about twenty artisans welcomed the public to share their techniques, materials, and journeys, with the Compagnons as guests of honor (carpentry, marine carpentry, stone carving, cutlery, saddlery harnesses). Represented were ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, faience restoration, cabinetmaking, upholstery, lutherie, and mosaic.
Other locations in the department also participated: the Fondation de Coubertin (Ateliers Saint-Jacques and foundry, open doors on April 11 and 12 focusing on lost-wax casting, forging, metalwork, and cabinetmaking) and the commune of Bazouges-la-Pérouse, a Petite Cité de Caractère, with a route bringing together thirteen artistic craftspeople between workshops and exhibition venues.
Information and Program
The complete program by location was published on the official website of the event. Admission was free at all participating sites.
Highlights European Days of Arts and Crafts 2026
- 20th edition of JEMA — theme « Cœurs à l'ouvrage »
- Cité Pierre Louaïl in Rennes: about twenty artisans, open doors on April 11-12
- The Compagnons as guests of honor (carpentry, stone carving, cutlery…)
- Fondation de Coubertin and Bazouges-la-Pérouse also participating
- Free admission to all sites
Prices European Days of Arts and Crafts 2026
Practical information — European Days of Arts and Crafts
Practical Information
Location
Several sites in Ille-et-Vilaine. In Rennes: Cité Pierre Louaïl, crafts center, 13-15 boulevard Franklin-Roosevelt, 35000 Rennes.
Access
Open workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, and guided tours depending on the location. Details of participating sites and schedules are specified annually on the official website.
Prices
Free entry.
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