La Nuit des Soudeurs

A 21st edition themed "Free Totems"

For the third consecutive year, the Val-ès-Fleurs park—Granville's green lung—transforms into an oversized playground for La Nuit des Soudeurs. On Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, about fifty artists, sculptors, and blacksmiths from all over France will take hold of the scrap metal provided to them. Working solo, in pairs, or in teams, they will craft unique structures under the eyes of festival-goers, centered around this year's theme: "Free Totems."

Creating before the public's eyes

The festival's essence is captured in one image: showers of sparks flying from welding torches throughout the weekend, continuing late into Saturday night. The public can wander freely between workstations and watch the sculptures come to life hour by hour. The two-day program includes live welding demonstrations, fun workshops, sculpture exhibitions, a bookshop, a refreshment bar, light snacks, and concerts.

Two totemic figures by François Gaulier

Exploring the "Totems" theme, artist François Gaulier has imagined two totemic human figures over 5 meters tall, assembled from welded scaffolding tubes and clamps, titled "Jizz(s)." He draws inspiration from two sources: the wire sculpture created in 1928 by Pablo Picasso and Julio Gonzalez as a tribute to Guillaume Apollinaire, and the "tubular cathedrals" that allowed Notre-Dame de Paris to be rebuilt in under five years. Both pieces will be on display at Square Daniel Caruhel, along the greenway, from July 31st to August 2nd, 2026. The work is carried out in partnership with local companies Quevillon in Granville and Lebourgeois in La Haye-Pesnel.

The Sunday auction

The weekend's highlight remains the famous auction of the works created during these two days, held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the park. Enthusiasts can head home with a metal sculpture born before their very eyes, at prices that remain accessible.

Getting to the festival

A festival-themed pedal cart (rosalie) connects the city center to the Val-ès-Fleurs park. The free city-center shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to midnight on Saturday and Sunday throughout July and August; the Julliot de la Morandière high school parking lot, open in summer, is served by the "Lycée" and "Cité des sports" stops. The NEVA urban bus network also serves the area, and several free or paid parking lots are available on Granville's public and maritime grounds.