Nevers en Bleu
Art and fine crafts festival in the heart of Nevers
2026
About Nevers en Bleu
Nevers en Bleu is an art and fine crafts festival hosted in the historic city center of Nevers by the La Verrière – Nevers association, a collective of designer boutiques and workshops. The event unfolds as a trail of exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and performances spread across a dozen venues, including the La Verrière studio, the ARKO gallery, and various historic monuments and pop-up spaces throughout the city. Launched in 2024 to celebrate the iconic blue of Nevers earthenware, the festival returns for its second edition from September 12 to 27, 2026, under the theme "The Art of the Gesture."
Nevers en Bleu — edition 2026
Nevers en Bleu returns from September 12th to 27th, 2026, for its second edition, centered on the theme "Art through Gesture." The festival trail features exhibitions, workshops, fine craft demonstrations, and performances across more than ten venues in Nevers' historic city center. The organizers have clarified that blue is not a selection criterion this year; entries are chosen solely based on the theme of gesture.
2026 Edition — "Art through Gesture"
The second edition of Nevers en Bleu takes place from September 12th to 27th, 2026, in the historic heart of Nevers. It is organized by the association La Verrière – Nevers, a designer boutique and workshop located at 38 rue François Mitterrand, founded by ceramicist Clément Boutillon and jeweler Manon Pignon. The festival was first held in 2024.
The theme "Art through Gesture" celebrates the expressiveness of a work of art through the artist's or artisan's movement—the physical act that shapes the material. The color blue, which served as the guiding thread in 2024, is no longer a requirement for selection this year.
Two Programming Formats
- Signature: Exhibitions and events organized by La Verrière – Nevers in host venues they coordinate, including historic sites, the La Verrière boutique-workshop, the ARKO gallery, and, subject to availability, pop-up spaces in the city center. Works are selected by a five-member committee: a representative from CMA Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a teacher from ESAAB, and three representatives from La Verrière – Nevers.
- Variations: Proposals curated by each selected participant in their own space, such as galleries, workshops, craft businesses, and shops in the city center. La Verrière – Nevers provides coordination and promotional support.
The festival overlaps with two other cultural events in the city: the European Heritage Days on September 19th and 20th, 2026, and the Légendes de Nevers festival.
The 2026 poster was illustrated by Flora Jamar. The festival is supported by the City of Nevers, CMA Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Crédit Mutuel, and the Rotary Club of Nevers.
Highlights Nevers en Bleu 2026
- Second edition of the festival, following its 2024 launch
- 2026 Theme: "Art through Gesture" — blue is no longer a selection criterion
- Trail spanning over ten locations in the historic city center
- Raffle draws on Saturdays, September 19th and 26th, at La Verrière
- Poster illustrated by Flora Jamar
Programme Nevers en Bleu 2026
What to expect for the 2026 edition
- September 12th to 27th — Exhibition trail across more than ten city-center locations: historic sites, the La Verrière boutique-workshop (38 rue François Mitterrand), the ARKO gallery (3 place Mossé), and pop-up spaces.
- Creative Workshops — Introductory or advanced sessions in artistic practices (jewelry, ceramics, illustration, etc.) in groups of about five people at the La Verrière boutique-workshop. Participation fee required.
- Fine Craft Demonstrations and Live Performances — Dance, gymnastics, mime, and music centered on gesture and movement. Admission is by voluntary contribution (pass-the-hat).
- Raffle — One artwork to be won each week: by purchasing a ticket, the public votes for their favorite piece and wins it if their ticket is drawn. The raffle prizes are on display at the La Verrière boutique-workshop throughout the festival. Draws take place on Saturdays, September 19th and 26th, 2026, at La Verrière. Any unclaimed pieces after the final draw will be available for purchase until the following day.
- Pop-up dining along the festival route.
Key Dates
- Saturday, September 12th — Festival opening. A vernissage is planned, though the date and time have not yet been announced.
- Saturday, September 19th — First raffle draw at La Verrière, 38 rue François Mitterrand.
- Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th — European Heritage Days, which are programmed in synergy with the festival.
- Saturday, September 26th — Second raffle draw at La Verrière. Unclaimed works remain for sale the following day.
- Sunday, September 27th — Final day of the festival.
As of mid-August 2026, the organizers have not yet published the list of selected venues and artists, nor a day-by-day schedule. The teaser released on August 6th directs visitors to laverriere-nevers.fr for the detailed program.
Prices Nevers en Bleu 2026
Practical information — Nevers en Bleu
Location
A trail through the historic city center of Nevers (58000). The festival's main hub and starting point is the La Verrière boutique-workshop at 38 rue François Mitterrand. The complete list of venues is published by the organizers at laverriere-nevers.fr.
Access
By train: Nevers SNCF station, with connections from Paris-Bercy, Lyon, and Clermont-Ferrand; the city center is within walking distance.
By car: Nevers is accessible via the A77 motorway. Paid parking is available in the city center.
Opening hours
Opening hours vary by venue. They are published alongside the detailed program on the association's website, as well as on posters and flyers.
Prices
Creative workshops require a participation fee. Craft demonstrations and performances operate on a voluntary contribution basis (pass the hat).
Contact
Association La Verrière – Nevers, 38 rue François Mitterrand, 58000 Nevers. Phone: 09 81 23 96 62. Email: [email protected]. Festival contact: Anne Jarry, Nevers en Bleu 2026 Project Manager, [email protected].
A festival born in 2024
The inaugural Nevers en Bleu festival took place from September 14 to October 6, 2024, spearheaded by the La Verrière – Nevers association, founded by ceramicist Clément Boutillon and jeweler Manon Pignon. It brought together around forty artists and artisans across five main exhibition sites: La Verrière (38 rue François Mitterrand), the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts (16 rue Saint-Genest), the ARKO gallery (3 place Mossé), Camara (39 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle), and Dalbe (63 rue François Mitterrand). These were complemented by events hosted by other local venues, including the Chapelle Sainte-Marie, the Salon de l'Oratoire, Terrains Communs, Artis Show, the Faïencerie Georges, and L'atelier de la voisine.
The blue of Nevers
The festival takes its name from the famous Nevers earthenware, produced in the city since the 17th century and renowned for its cobalt blue decorations. This color served as the central thread for the first edition, featuring exhibitions organized into five themes: Pocket Blue, Big Blue, It's Blue Outside, Blue White Click, and Blue Ascension.
Second edition in September 2026
The festival returns from September 12 to 27, 2026, with the theme "The Art of the Gesture." The organizers note that blue is no longer a selection criterion this year; instead, entries are chosen based on the theme of the gesture and the movement that shapes the material. The program is divided into "Signature," coordinated by La Verrière in host venues, and "Variations," organized by each participant in their own space.
Where does it take place — Nevers en Bleu
Nevers en Bleu in brief
History of Nevers en Bleu
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Nevers
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