Les Décades de la Peinture
Festival of independent and emerging artists in Brioude
About Les Décades
Created in 2018 by the association Harpo's, the Les Décades de la Peinture festival is an annual event dedicated to independent and emerging artists, organized every summer in Brioude in Haute-Loire. For ten days in August, the former Jean-Pradier school, in the heart of the town opposite Le Doyenné, transforms into an open-air art gallery hosting around fifty artists competing for the public's prize. The festival combines exhibitions of painting, drawing, collage, and engraving with a rich multidisciplinary program: live-painting contests, creative workshops for children and adults, giant participatory frescoes, concerts, dance performances, short film screenings, and conferences. Entry to the exhibitions is free, and the association takes no commission on the sale of works, remaining true to its mission of providing visibility and a springboard for talents in need.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Les Décades at the best price.
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Les Décades de la Peinture: The Festival That Reveals Talents in Brioude
Since 2018, the Les Décades de la Peinture festival has established itself as a must-attend event for emerging contemporary art in Auvergne. Created by the Harpo's association, chaired by Julie Delobeau, this festival was born from a strong desire: to offer a showcase and a springboard for independent and emerging artists who struggle to find exhibition spaces. Every year in August, for ten days, the former Jean-Pradier school in Brioude transforms into a vast living art space in the heart of the town.
A Historic Venue in the Heart of Brioude
The festival takes place at the former Jean-Pradier school, located on Rue du Paradis, right in the town center of Brioude, opposite the town hall and Le Doyenné, a major contemporary art exhibition venue. This heritage setting provides an ideal backdrop for the works of the exhibiting artists, with its classrooms transformed into temporary galleries and its inner courtyard conducive to outdoor activities.
A One-of-a-Kind Exhibition-Competition
The heart of the festival is a group exhibition featuring around fifty selected artists. Painting, drawing, collage, engraving, and mixed media are showcased in an artistic trail open to all, free and accessible from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Visitors are invited to vote for their favorite artist to award the public's prize, a real recognition for the winners. The Harpo's association takes no commission on artwork sales, allowing artists to fully benefit from the fruits of their labor.
The Live-Painting Competition
A highlight of the festival, the live-painting competition invites established and amateur painters to create a work in real-time in front of the public. Open to all for a participation fee of €7, with canvas provided, this competition is awarded the Lions Club prize of €200. The creative energy generated during these live painting sessions is one of the public's most appreciated moments.
Workshops, Performances, and Activities for Everyone
Beyond the exhibitions, Les Décades de la Peinture offers a vibrant multidisciplinary program: acrylic painting, watercolor, engraving, calligraphy, and origami workshops for adults and children, a giant participatory fresco, life drawing and sketching classes. The festival also hosts concerts (jazz, world music), dance performances and theatrical improvisation, short film screenings, conferences on artist visibility on social media, and various artistic demonstrations. Honored guests and VIP artists enrich each edition with their works and presence.
An Accessible and Committed Festival
True to its values of openness and accessibility, the festival offers free entry to exhibitions. Workshops are offered at modest prices (from free to €15). The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and reception facilities are provided for hearing and visually impaired individuals. Les Décades de la Peinture benefits from the support of the City of Brioude, the Department of Haute-Loire, and local partners committed to promoting culture and the arts.
Les Décades — edition 2026
The 9th edition of the Les Décades de la Peinture festival will be held from August 7 to 16, 2026, at the former Jean-Pradier school in Brioude. The festival will host around fifty emerging and independent artists for ten days of free exhibitions, live-painting, creative workshops, concerts, and performances in the heart of the town of Brioude.
9th Edition - August 7 to 16, 2026
The Les Décades de la Peinture festival returns for its 9th edition from August 7 to 16, 2026, in Brioude. The former Jean-Pradier school will once again host around fifty emerging and independent artists selected by application for ten days of artistic creation and sharing.
On the program: a free group exhibition open from 10 am to 6 pm, the traditional live-painting competition, painting, drawing, engraving, and mixed media workshops for children and adults, as well as a program of concerts, performances, and artistic shows. The 'L'Escale' concept will be continued with residencies and satellite exhibitions in partner towns.
The detailed program and the call for artist applications will be announced in spring 2026 on the festival's official website and its Facebook page.
Programme Les Décades 2026
2026 Program (to be confirmed)
The full program for the 9th edition will be unveiled in spring 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Group Exhibition: around fifty artists competing for the public's prize
- Live-Painting Competition: open to all, Lions Club prize
- Creative Workshops: painting, drawing, engraving, watercolor, calligraphy, origami
- Giant Participatory Fresco
- Concerts and Performances: jazz, world music, dance, theater
- 'Expo-escales': satellite exhibitions in Blesle and Chamalières
Highlights Les Décades 2026
- 9th edition of the festival for independent and emerging artists
- Dates: Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Free exhibition of around fifty artists at the Jean-Pradier school
- Live-painting competition, workshops, concerts, and performances
- Artistic residencies and 'expo-escales' in Auvergne
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
Prices Les Décades 2026
Practical information — Les Décades
Practical Information
Dates and Times
The festival takes place annually for ten days in August in Brioude. The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (extended hours on some evenings). The opening vernissage takes place on the first Friday of the festival at 6 pm, with a buffet and concert.
Venue
Former Jean-Pradier School, 1 rue du Paradis, 43100 Brioude. In the town center, opposite the town hall and Le Doyenné. Easy walking access from Brioude SNCF train station (10 minutes).
Access
By car: Brioude is accessible via the A75 motorway (exit 20, about 1h15 from Clermont-Ferrand) or the RN102 from Le Puy-en-Velay (about 45 minutes). Free parking available in the town center.
By train: Brioude SNCF station is served by TER trains from Clermont-Ferrand (about 1h15) and Le Puy-en-Velay (about 30 minutes).
Prices
- Exhibition: free entry
- Workshops: from free to €15 depending on the activity
- Live-painting competition: €7 (canvas provided)
- Certain concerts or performances: variable prices, check the program
Accessibility
The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Facilities are provided for hearing and visually impaired individuals.
Contact
- Harpo's Association
- Phone: 06 71 70 28 90
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: lesdecades.wixsite.com/festival
- Facebook: @lesdecadesdelapeinturefestival
Practical Tips
- Voting for the public's prize is open to all visitors throughout the festival.
- Registration for the live-painting competition is done in advance on the festival's website.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the historic town center of Brioude.
- Take the opportunity to visit the Saint-Julien Basilica and the exhibitions at Le Doyenné.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Les Décades at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Les Décades
Ancienne école Jean-Pradier
1 rue du Paradis, 43100 Brioude