Festival Art et Lumière de Conches-en-Ouche

Conches-en-Ouche, capital of stained glass

Conches-en-Ouche entered the history of stained glass in the 16th century when the Sainte-Foy church was endowed with exceptional stained glass windows, considered among the most beautiful in Normandy. Three and a half centuries later, the master glassmaker François Décorchemont (1880-1971) revolutionized the art of stained glass by adapting the pâte de verre technique to the creation of monumental stained glass windows. His works, present in nearly 30 churches in the Eure region, make this area unique in the world for the art of glassmaking.

A festival dedicated to light

The Festival Art et Lumière draws on this exceptional heritage to offer an original cultural event, at the crossroads of ancient art and contemporary creation. The festival invites the public to rediscover the town of Conches through the prism of light: light installations in the streets and monuments, artistic projections on facades, illuminations of the Sainte-Foy church's stained glass windows, and lighting of the medieval architectural heritage.

The François Décorchemont Glass Museum

At the heart of the festival, the François Décorchemont Glass Museum hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to the art of glassmaking. In 2025, a retrospective titled "François Décorchemont. The alchemy of matter, color, and light" presented the work of this visionary artist, from his Art Nouveau and Art Deco pâte de verre creations to his monumental stained glass windows made after the Second World War. The museum is an essential place to understand Conches' unique place in the history of glass.

Discovery tours and workshops

The festival organizes discovery tours of François Décorchemont's stained glass windows in the churches of the Eure region, notably those of Sainte-Marthe and Berville-la-Campagne. These guided tours by specialists allow visitors to appreciate the chromatic richness and technical virtuosity of these pâte de verre works. Creative workshops on glass, light, and color are offered to adults and children.

Medieval heritage in light

Conches-en-Ouche offers a remarkable architectural setting for this festival: the medieval keep, the castle ruins, the Sainte-Foy church and its stained glass windows, and the ancient houses of the village form a heritage ensemble that takes on a magical dimension when light illuminates it. The festival also participates in Pierres en Lumières, a regional event that illuminates Norman heritage every year in May, with over 60 communes in the Eure participating.