Festival Land Art de Buthiers

An ephemeral museum in the heart of nature

The Festival Land Art de Buthiers transforms the Buthiers forest and the village lanes into a true open-air museum. Each edition brings together about ten professional and amateur visual artists—sculptors, environmental painters, landscape artists—who work for several weeks in residence to design ephemeral installations integrated into the natural site. The works are born from the dialogue between the artist and their environment: sandstone rocks, ancient trees, clearings, streams, and forest paths become the very material of creation.

A festival rooted in the Gâtinais

Buthiers is located in the heart of the Parc naturel régional du Gâtinais français, a territory of forests, sandstone plateaus, and bocage valleys, one hour from Paris. This exceptional natural setting, close to the Fontainebleau forest and renowned for its climbing sites, offers artists an ideal space for expression. The artistic trail winds through the village (starting at 7, rue des Roches) and the surrounding forest, inviting visitors on a contemplative walk of about two hours.

Performances, concerts, and a night walk

Beyond the trail of artworks, the festival offers a program of live performances and outdoor concerts that liven up the village throughout the weekend. The festival's highlight is the sound and light night walk, offered on Friday evening: visitors wander after dark among illuminated and sound-enhanced works, in a magical and immersive atmosphere. Creative workshops for children and families allow participants to discover land art techniques, natural sculpture, and environmental art.

Les Ateliers du Soleil: art in the village

Founded in 2004, the association Les Ateliers du Soleil has been organizing the festival since its first edition in 2009. Driven by a team of passionate volunteers, it works year-round to promote artistic practice in rural areas and build connections between artists, residents, and the territory. The association also organizes visual arts workshops, courses, and exhibitions throughout the year, making Buthiers a true village of living art within the Gâtinais.

A biennial, free, and family-friendly festival

The Festival Land Art de Buthiers takes place every two years, in June. Since its first edition in 2009, the festival has built a loyal following of curious and family audiences, attracted by the quality of the works, the beauty of the site, and the friendly atmosphere of the event. Admission is completely free, in line with the philosophy of art accessible to all, in direct contact with nature and the landscape.