Grain d'Pixel Festival
Contemporary photography festival at the Musée des Maisons Comtoises de Nancray and in the Grand Besançon
2026
About Grain d'Pixel
Grain d'Pixel — edition 2026
Grain d'Pixel: Contemporary photography in the heart of Grand Besançon
The Grain d'Pixel Festival — officially the Besançon Photography Festival — is a cultural event organized by the Grain d'Pixel association since 2016. This contemporary photography festival takes place every autumn across fifteen venues in the Grand Besançon Métropole, including Saône and the Musée des Maisons Comtoises de Nancray.
A multi-site festival
Exhibitions are held in a variety of iconic locations: the Musée des Maisons Comtoises de Nancray, the Kursaal in Besançon, the Besançon University Hospital, the Saône Town Hall, the Victor Hugo Birthplace, and for this 10th edition, the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste in Besançon.
Gladys, guest of honor for the 10th edition
For its tenth anniversary, the festival welcomes photographer Gladys as its guest of honor. Born in 1950 in Oran, she won the Prix Niépce in 1989 for her "Mamonakou" series and was a Villa Medici fellow in 1987. Her "Photographies" exhibition will be on display at the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste in Besançon from October 3rd to 25th, 2026, with free admission.
The Grain d'Pixel Prize
Each year, the festival awards the Grain d'Pixel Prize, recognizing a photographer for the originality and quality of their work, during the opening weekend at the Kursaal.
Highlights Grain d'Pixel 2026
- 10th anniversary edition of the festival, from October 3rd to 25th, 2026
- Gladys (1989 Prix Niépce winner), guest of honor, exhibiting at the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste in Besançon
- Remainder of the program (Nancray, Kursaal, Grain d'Pixel Prize) to be unveiled gradually before the opening
Programme Grain d'Pixel 2026
Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste, Besançon — October 3rd to 25th, 2026
- "Photographies" exhibition by Gladys, guest of honor for this 10th edition · free admission · closed Mondays, Tuesday-Friday 2pm-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
This is the only exhibition announced so far by the Grain d'Pixel association. The rest of the 10th edition's program (Musée des Maisons Comtoises de Nancray, Kursaal, Grain d'Pixel Prize, and other venues across Grand Besançon) has not yet been released; in previous years, the featured artists have been unveiled gradually between mid-September and early October.
Prices Grain d'Pixel 2026
Practical information — Grain d'Pixel
Practical Information
Venues
Musée des Maisons Comtoises, Rue du Musée, 25360 Nancray
And about fifteen other locations in the Grand Besançon.
Access to the Nancray Museum
By car: Nancray is located 15 km east of Besançon, accessible via the D464. Free parking at the museum.
Prices
Access to exhibitions is generally free. Entry to the Musée des Maisons Comtoises is subject to the museum's admission fees.
Dates
Generally throughout October, with a festive opening weekend.
Contact
Association Grain d'Pixel
Website: grain-dpixel.fr
Grain d'Pixel: Contemporary Photography at the Heart of Grand Besançon
The Grain d'Pixel Festival — officially the Besançon Photography Festival — is a major cultural event organized by the Grain d'Pixel association since 2016. This contemporary photography festival unfolds every autumn across about fifteen locations in the Grand Besançon Métropole, Saône, and the Musée des Maisons Comtoises de Nancray.
An Exceptional Multi-Site Festival
The strength of the Grain d'Pixel Festival lies in its multi-site presence. Exhibitions take place in emblematic and diverse venues:
- The Musée des Maisons Comtoises in Nancray: exhibitions in a unique heritage setting
- The Kursaal in Besançon: a group exhibition featuring around twenty photographers
- The CHU of Besançon: photography comes to the hospital
- The Mairie de Saône: exhibitions in a community setting
- The Maison natale de Victor Hugo: dialogue between literature and photography
The Grain d'Pixel Prize
Each year, the festival awards the Grain d'Pixel Prize, recognizing a photographer for the originality and quality of their work. The prize is awarded during the opening weekend at the Kursaal, in the presence of the exhibiting artists and the public. This prize contributes to the international visibility of the festival and supports emerging photographic talent.
International Artists to Discover
The festival hosts photographers from very diverse backgrounds, offering unique perspectives on the contemporary world. The 2025 edition notably presented the works of Jennifer Brachet, Loona Sire, Muhanad Baas, and Thomas Piguet at the Musée des Maisons Comtoises, while the Kursaal brought together the works of 27 photographers in a major group exhibition.
Meetings, Screenings, and Workshops
Beyond exhibitions, the festival offers artist talks, portfolio screenings, portfolio reviews for emerging photographers, and educational workshops to introduce all audiences to photographic art. The volunteers of the Grain d'Pixel association ensure a warm welcome and guided tours at the various sites.
Where does it take place — Grain d'Pixel
Grain d'Pixel in brief
Other festivals near Nancray
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