Destination Bijou 2026 in Cagnes-sur-Mer: the French Riviera Celebrates Contemporary Jewelry Through Art, Design and Innovation

Cagnes-sur-Mer is once again taking center stage on the international art scene with the new edition of “Destination Bijou”, the event dedicated to contemporary jewelry that will animate the Château-Musée Grimaldi from June 4 to 7 before continuing until September 20 at the Museum of Contemporary Jewelry.

The event has become a major reference point for artists, designers and jewelry enthusiasts, reinforcing the role of the French Riviera city as an international hub for artistic research connected to contemporary jewelry.

An International Event Dedicated to Contemporary Jewelry Design

Under the artistic direction of curators Isabelle Busnel, Sébastien Carré and Juan Riusech, “Destination Bijou” will bring together creators from several countries including France, Canada, Spain, Greece and Sweden.

Alongside established artists, the program will also highlight emerging talent through the participation of students and young designers from five prestigious French schools specializing in applied arts and jewelry design.

The event will showcase new trends in contemporary jewelry, combining artistic experimentation, sustainability, alternative materials and aesthetic innovation.

Exhibitions and Conferences at the Château-Musée Grimaldi

The heart of the event will be the Château-Musée Grimaldi in Cagnes-sur-Mer, which for four days will host eleven exhibitions dedicated to contemporary jewelry, along with conferences, public talks and creative workshops.

The historic venue will welcome international galleries, artistic collectives and installations focused on key figures of the contemporary creative scene.

Among the highlights are talks by American journalist Jennifer Altmann, who will explore the use of unconventional materials in contemporary jewelry, and the European collective Extranalities, known for its experimental approach linking art, body and design.

Special attention will also be given to Herman Hermsen, considered one of the leading figures in European contemporary jewelry, who will reflect on more than forty years of international artistic practice.

Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Jewelry

From June 4 to September 20, the Museum of Contemporary Jewelry will present three exhibitions dedicated to international creative research.

Among them is “Sparkle”, an international group exhibition born from an open call bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds and artistic languages.

The museum will also host a retrospective dedicated to Herman Hermsen and the latest edition of “Drag & Drop”, an experimental project inviting three artists to reinterpret one another’s creations.

These exhibitions will offer visitors a broader understanding of contemporary jewelry as an art form intersecting design, craftsmanship, fashion and social reflection.

Creative Workshops and Sustainability

Alongside the exhibitions, “Destination Bijou” will also feature participatory activities open to families and visitors.

At the Maison Commune, creative workshops led by Maud Traon and Anna Talbot will invite participants to create jewelry using recycled materials as part of the “Junk Jewellery” project.

Plastic, sequins, rhinestones, artificial flowers and recycled objects will become artistic tools promoting sustainability and creative reuse.

Cagnes-sur-Mer Strengthens Its Role as a City of Art

With “Destination Bijou”, Cagnes-sur-Mer further strengthens its identity as a “Ville et Métiers d’Art”, a distinction awarded in 1995, and confirms its place within the international cultural landscape of contemporary art and design.

The event is now considered one of the French Riviera’s key cultural highlights for professionals, collectors, designers and visitors interested in discovering the evolving world of contemporary jewelry.