Festival Grains d'Isère

Architecture, science and art meet around earth

Around a huge heap of adobe earth in the north of Isère, France, professionals, visitors, architects, entrepreneurs, artisans, students, engineers, scientists, artists, scholars, families and curious are invited to discover together the incredible potential of this material. They are asked to put their hands in the earth to manipulate, experiment, innovate, create, restore and construct. Many workshops and activities are proposed next to exhibitions, performances, films and meetings; public and professionals meet and take time to interact, discover and work together.

The Grains d’Isère Festival continues to explore the material earth and the earthen architecture. The focus lies on the extraordinary potential of the material around a huge heap of earth. The Festival invites participants and visitors to discover all the aspects of the trio architecture, arts and sciences. All visitors and participants are invited to put their hands in the earth and feel its particularities and specificities.

This scientific, artistic and cultural approach is based on the understanding and the manipulation of the material and is developed around scientific and artistic performances, workshops, experiences, conferences, exhibitions and shows.

The Festival is also an extraordinary moment of exchange and reflections on the challenges of sustainable development for the public, for politicians, trainers and professionals and will contribute to reconcile men with their environment.

Download the catalogue of the books for sale

Download the bibliography on earth

First national award for earthen architecture: winners


Previous editions:

Download the flyer of Festival Grains d'Isère 2015

Download the programme of the Festival Grains d'Isère 2015

Report of the Festival Grains d'Isère 2013

Report of the Festival Grains d'Isère 2012

Programme "Habiter léger pour la planète" (2014)

Programme "Matières à construire" (2013)

Programme "De la matière à l'architecture" (2012)

Programme "Habiter la terre" (2011)


Grains d'Isère

Grains de bâtisseurs

Prototypes workshop


Cathedral site project