
LE NOUVEAU PRINTEMPS 2027 IS TAKING OVER ÎLE DU RAMIER AND THE BANKS OF THE GARONNE!
In 2027, Le Nouveau Printemps and the Centre Pompidou are joining forces to invite Maylis de Kerangal to conceive a new edition of the festival on Île du Ramier and along the banks of the Garonne.
Sharing a common artistic and intellectual vision, the two institutions are presenting an edition that explores the connections between landscapes, living beings and their environments. Drawing on the landscapes that artists observe, depict and engage with, the festival examines our ecological and social interdependencies amongst human, animal and plant species. Rooted in local and global history, this edition looks to the future and is driven by perspectives committed to building more virtuous relationships between living beings and their environments.
L’ÎLE DU RAMIER, A TERRITORY UNDER CONSTANT TRANSFORMATION
The Île du Ramier is a river archipelago shaped by its transformations. Its industrial character became established as early as the 17th century with its gunpowder mills, followed by the establishment of the Poudrerie nationale in 1852.
At the start of the 20th century, the site took a new direction, becoming a hub for leisure and sport. The local council created the Parc Toulousain, a vast green space dotted with open-air cafés, before sport began to flourish there under the impetus of the architect Jean Montariol. In 1931, work began on the Municipal Stadium, which was inaugurated after the war. The island is also the birthplace of the Dauphins du TOEC, an iconic swimming club whose swimmers once trained directly in the Garonne and which has produced great champions, such as Léon Marchand.
Today, as part of the Grand Parc Garonne project, the island is undergoing a new transformation to restore nature to its rightful place. This vast project aims to turn this 260-hectare site into an eco-park dedicated to biodiversity, leisure and soft mobility.
THE FESTIVAL TAKES OVER THE ISLAND AND THE BANKS OF THE GARONNE
Le Nouveau Printemps will take over public spaces and the parks on Île du Ramier: Parc de la Poudrerie, Parc Picot de Lapeyrouse, the Anita Conti and Robert Poujade footbridges, the Alfred Nakache summer swimming pool, the Maison du Grand Parc Garonne, as well as Decoset’s new hall dedicated to re-use.
On both sides of the island, the banks of the Garonne will also form part of the festival’s itinerary, thanks to partnerships with several cultural and scientific venues: the Théâtre Garonne, the Les Abattoirs Museum - FRAC Occitanie Toulouse, the Château d’Eau gallery, La Grave Hospital, the isdaT, the Toulouse Museum and the Quai des Savoirs.
Le Nouveau Printemps is delighted to engage with the island’s industrial, sporting and natural history, as well as with the cultural and scientific ecosystem that flourishes along its shores. In collaboration with the Centre Pompidou and Maylis de Kerangal, the festival aims to transform this area into a space for encounters, where landscapes, artworks and narratives will resonate with one another.
LISTEN TO THE ÎLE DU RAMIER
To extend this exploration of the area, four audio clips produced by Les Vidéophages invite you to explore the Parc de la Poudrerie, on the Île du Ramier, through its history and biodiversity.
These clips were created by Christophe Jacquemart and produced by Les Vidéophages / La Trame, based on an original idea by Les Vidéophages to mark the 25th edition of the Faites de l’Image festival, with the support of Toulouse City Council and Casino Barrière, in June 2026.
Listen to: Four audio walks to discover the Parc de la Poudrerie - Grand Parc Garonne
-----
Le Nouveau Printemps by Maylis de Kerangal
Next edition 27 may - 27 june 2027
Île du Ramier / Garonne
Photo Credit : Jean Dieuzaide - Mairie de Toulouse, Archives municipales, 84Fi6/344