The European Days of Crafts is the annual meeting honoring our craftsmen from Roanne. These days allow us to meet these men and women. These artisans share with you their love of creating, safeguarding and restoring heritage. Workshops, exhibitions, conferences, a rich and varied program is available to you for this event.
Next edition from March 31 to April 6, 2025
JEMA, a unique event for living heritage
Every year, European Days of Crafts (JEMA) allow as many people as possible to discover the professions of art and living heritage.
Thus, it is a real invitation to meet these talented men and women. Through open doors, visitors will have the choice between workshops, demonstrations of know-how, conferences, visits. Amateurs, the curious, collectors, consumers… These days are aimed at all audiences.
This event therefore offers a beautiful highlight to artisans working for the conservation of heritage while promoting creation. These professionals, working before our eyes, must be recognized for what they are: invaluable, alive and within reach.
Every year, an appointment is made at the end of March, beginning of April to celebrate this major event.
DID YOU KNOW ?
The people of Roanne like to celebrate their crafts and their craftsmen. Indeed, other events are organized in Roanne for the development of crafts. They are organized biennially:
- Glass Biennial – Village of Crozet in August,
- Biennial of creative jewelers – Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire in November.
JEMA 2024: At your fingertips
Each year, the theme of these days is different. In 2024, it is " On the fingertips ". Transmission will therefore be at the heart of this 18e edition since it will mainly focus on young audiences.
Around understanding and doing together, the theme “On your fingertips” invites children, families, schools, people with disabilities, etc. to discover, touch, feel, feel the crafts.
For a week, small and big hands will take action and unite around the material and the gesture. The novice, curious and demanding hands of visitors will meet the expert hands of craft professionals who master the techniques at their fingertips. These precious moments of transmission will allow you to learn about artistic crafts and understand their know-how.
A varied program in Roannais!
Le Roannais offers various activities during this weekend highlighting local artisans. On the program for example:
- Open House “The Zinc Effect” – St-André-d’Apchon – Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.,
- Through the eyes of a carpenter – St-Germain-Lespinasse – Friday 5 at 16:30 p.m.,
- Leather goods workshop “Deguer Maroquinerie” – St-Jean-St-Maurice-sur-Loire – Saturday 6 from 15 p.m. to 17 p.m.,
- Exhibition “Leather, tell me what is your job? » – St-Jean-St-Maurice-sur-Loire – Until May 12.
Arts and crafts in Roannais
The development of the craftsmen of Roannais goes through theAssociation of Crafts in Roannais (AMAR). Created 30 years ago, it promotes the know-how of Roanne craftsmen. About twenty artisans now belong to this association and work hand in hand on joint projects to promote their arts.
They even created a book: “Meeting craftsmen” to reveal their profession and their passion.
This book is on sale at the Roanne tourist office.
![Poterie de la Cure - Métiers d'art en Roannais]()
Pottery © Vincent Poillet ![]()
Emmane © Roannais Agglomeration
The story of those days
The National Institute of Crafts implemented the European Days of Crafts in 2002 at the request of the public authorities. These days make it possible to offer the general public a unique meeting with the professionals of the arts and crafts present around their homes. Thus, this allows them to discover activities and workshops that are still often unknown today.
In 2018, the Rendez-vous d'Exception are created and invite the public to live unique experiences with craftsmen. For example, you can go behind the scenes of major heritage sites while interacting with professionals.
In 2022, JEMA celebrated their 20th anniversary and their 10th anniversary of opening to Europe. Today, 15 countries organize this annual event.
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Cabinetwork © Vincent Poillet ![]()
Painting on silk © Vincent Poillet
Lucile's opinion
I always have a real admiration for these professionals who with their hands make real works of art. These are enriching passion professions that I love to discover by going to visit the artist's studio or “den”. These days are perfect for that, we find all the trades represented. And I am of course the first to fall for their magnificent creations.
