Fête de l'Art à la Poéterie

The Fête de l'Art, a festival like no other

In the heart of Puisaye, this vast land of ponds, forests, and hedgerows stretching between the Yonne and Loire rivers, lies Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye — the birthplace of the great novelist Colette (1873-1954). It is in this charming village, ranked among the favorite villages of the French, that one of Burgundy's most unique cultural events has developed since 2014: the Fête de l'Art à la Poéterie.

The festival takes place every year in July at La Poéterie, a remarkable industrial wasteland — the former stoneware pipe factory of Saint-Sauveur — purchased in 2006 by sculptor and painter Vincent Magni and gradually transformed into an authentic cultural village. Today, La Poéterie hosts about thirty resident artists and creatives: metal sculptors, architects, musicians, photographers, designers, visual artists, art bookbinders… The site features a one-hectare park adorned with monumental sculptures, a professional recording studio, group accommodations, a café-restaurant, and a large open-air performance hall.

A multidisciplinary and intergenerational festival

The Fête de l'Art is driven by the Tétrapop association, responsible for the cultural animation of La Poéterie since its beginnings. For three days, the site transforms into a true artistic agora where each discipline blends with the others without hierarchy: music, visual arts, street arts, dance, circus, theater, and digital arts coexist in a festive and welcoming atmosphere.

The musical programming is eclectic and deliberately open: alternative rock, reggae, French chanson, electronic music, funk, metal… The festival has hosted renowned artists such as Tagada Jones, Zoufris Maracas, Marcel et son Orchestre, Crystal Distortion, Dirty Fonzy, and Al'Tarba, alongside emerging acts from the regional and national scene.

Live creation, the heart of the festival

What truly sets the Fête de l'Art apart from other festivals is the central place given to live visual creation. Throughout the weekend, artists — sculptors, painters, street artists, graffiti artists — work before the eyes of the public. Giant collective mural, metal sculpture demonstrations, digital performances: visitors are not mere spectators but active witnesses of the creative process, invited to interact with the artists, ask questions, and participate in introductory workshops offered from Saturday to Sunday.

The children's stage hosts circus, puppet, and storytelling shows adapted for the youngest, making the Fête de l'Art a truly family-friendly and intergenerational event. Artistic practice workshops led by professionals are offered throughout the weekend for both children and adults.

La Poéterie, a unique place in Burgundy

The La Poéterie site, located a few minutes from the Musée Colette and the Maison natale de Colette, embodies the cultural renewal of Puisaye. Where stoneware kilns once roared, artists' studios now buzz with activity year-round. The monumental sculpture park, freely accessible, offers a unique outdoor artistic stroll in Burgundy.

The Fête de l'Art attracts a growing audience each year, coming from all over the region as well as from Paris and the Île-de-France, seduced by the authenticity of the place, the quality of the programming, and the resolutely friendly spirit of the event. Free camping on-site and reduced daytime ticket prices promote accessibility for all audiences, including families and festival-goers on a modest budget.

A festival rooted in its territory

Beyond the performances, the Fête de l'Art actively contributes to the influence of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye and Puisaye-Forterre, a rural area rich in natural and cultural heritage in the Yonne department. The festival works closely with the Puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office and local stakeholders to offer festival-goers numerous exploration opportunities: walks at the Musée Colette, visits to the birthplace, forest hikes, discovery of the Puisaye ponds…

• Contemporary music concerts in the evening (rock, reggae, electro, chanson, metal)
• Live visual art performances and exhibitions by resident artists
• Introductory workshops in visual arts, sculpture, screen printing for all ages
• Shows and street arts in the monumental sculpture park
• Specific programming for children (circus, puppets, storytelling)
• Free camping and parking on-site, affordable catering