Estuaire is brand new artistic concept, divided in three parts, with its epilogue scheduled for 2011.

From Nantes to Saint-Nazaire, the Loire river broadens out into a vast estuary, 40 miles long (60 kms) and 2 miles wide (3 kms) at its mouth: a fascinating territory shaped by a wild and mysterious nature, a remarkable industrial and port heritage along the untamed river.

Each of Estuaire’s editions gives worldwide artists the opportunity to work within this unusual backdrop. Around thirty art installations - chosen for their ability to interact with the public space and the estuary configuration - are built on-site. Some are temporary, others are permanent, drawing together a trail open throughout the year: Estuaire is also a political project, aimed specifically at accompanying and spurring the foundation of the Nantes - Saint-Nazaire metropolis.

Both cities’ art and cultural venues take part in this creative emulation: Le Lieu Unique, the Fine Arts Museum of Nantes, (Musée des Beaux-Arts), FRAC (Regional Contemporary Art Collection of the Pays de la Loire), the historic castle of the Dukes of Brittany, Le Grand Café - art centre based in Saint-Nazaire.
Furthermore, the 2009 edition will see Estuaire collaborate with the Fontevraud Abbey, the Oiron Castle, and Le Mans’ School of Fine Arts.

The opening night, the unique opportunity of living and sleeping in mobile structures alongside the river, or sharing a convivial meal along the trail also make of Estuaire a festive and fun event.

Through its challenging and selective artistic choices, Estuaire is aimed at everyone, and has already welcomed more than 760 000 visitors for its first edition in 2007.

All works can be accessed* by land (on foot, bike, and nearby parking). Whilst bus tours will provide you with the opportunity to take a closer look at the installations, the river cruise will lead you on a journey of discovery of the river and its landscapes.

Ant Farm (USA)
Atelier Van Lieshout (NL)
Winfried Bauman (Ger.)
Claire Blanchemanche, Cal-Earth Institute (Fr.,Ir, USA)
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot (Fr)
Franck Buschmann (Sp)
Damien Chivialle (Fr)
Gilles Clément (Fr)
François Delagnes (Fr)
Jenske Dijkhuis (NL)
Gino de Dominicis (It)
Anne de Sterk (Fr)
Jimmie Durham (USA/It.)
Alicia Framis (Sp)
Les frères Chapuisat (CH)
Anthony McCall (UK)
Vincent Mauger (Fr)
Tania Mouraud (Fr)
François Morellet (Fr)
Ernesto Neto (Br)
Tatzu Nishi (Jap/Ger.)
Olgga architectes (Fr)
Paola Pivi (It)
Stéphane Thidet (Fr)
Roman Signer (CH)
Antonin Sorel (Can)
Dré Wapenaar (NL)
Eric Watt (Fr)

Erwin Wurm, Tadashi Kawamata, Kinya Maruyama, Flice Varini.