The second edition of “Destination Bijou” is in Cagnes-sur-Mer from June 4 to 7 with exhibitions, conferences and international workshops.
After the success of its first edition in 2024, Cagnes-sur-Mer, labeled “City and Crafts” since 1995, once again becomes the capital of contemporary jewelry. The “Destination Bijou” event returns from June 4 to 7, 2026, under the direction of the three exhibition curators Isabelle Busnel, Sébastien Carré and Juan Riusech. Supported by the city, this major event will highlight the richness of international creation through a dense program which will mainly take place between the Grimaldi castle-museum and the contemporary jewelry museum.
International programming on two emblematic sites
The heart of the event will be at the Grimaldi castle-museum, which will host no less than 11 distinct exhibitions. These will offer an exceptional showcase to artists and galleries from France (Galerie Elsa Vanier, Galerie Alliages), Spain (Galerie Lalabeyou), Greece (Galerie Uni.Versus art room), Sweden (Galerie Platina), Canada (Galerie Noël Guyomarch) and Portugal (PIN association) A European collective, Extranalities, will also be present, alongside local artists.
Young creation will also be in the spotlight, with the work of students from five major French schools: the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Art et de Design in Limoges, the Haute École des Arts du Rhin in Strasbourg, the Ecole Boulle in Paris, the Rhône Professional Education Society of Lyon and the Saumur Jewelry Institute.
At the same time, the Museum of Contemporary Jewelry will offer three exhibitions which will last until September 20. The “Sparkle” exhibition will reveal a wide diversity of international creations, while a major retrospective will be devoted to the Dutch artist Herman Hermsen, a major figure in the discipline since 1981. Finally, the “Drag & Drop #4” project will showcase the work of the trio of curators, exploring the notions of module, original creation and imitation.
Conferences to deepen reflection
Four free conferences are organized at the Grimaldi castle-museum to allow the public to interact with experts and creators. On Thursday June 4, American journalist Jennifer Altmann will open the cycle with a talk on the use of modest materials in contemporary creation, followed by a presentation by the European collective Extranalities.
On Friday June 5, Herman Hermsen will look back on his long career, echoing his retrospective. The morning will conclude with a discussion between the artists Maud Traon (France) and Anna Talbot (Norway), who will explore their intersecting paths from their studies in London to their duo exhibition presented at the castle.
Workshops to learn about creation
The general public and families are invited to get involved during creative workshops led by Maud Traon and Anna Talbot at the Common House. On the theme “JUNK JEWELLERY / Junk Jewelry”, participants will be able to make their own jewelry from recycled materials: scraps, recycled jewelry, pieces of plastic, artificial flowers and rhinestones. Two free sessions are planned for Friday June 5 and Sunday June 7, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Practical information
Access to the exhibitions at the Grimaldi castle-museum will be free from June 4 to 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (contact: 04 92 02 47 35).
The Contemporary Jewelry Museum is also freely accessible. Its exhibitions will be held from June 4 to September 20.
Schedules :
– June and September: Wednesday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
– July and August: Wednesday to Monday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with late night until 7 p.m. on Fridays for “Jazz at the castle” evenings.
(Contact : 04 93 73 14 42).
