Coutellia 2026: Knife show in Thiers on May 17th and 18th

Coutellia 2026 is the 35th edition of the International Festival of Art and Traditional Knives, a major event held on May 16 and 17 in Thiers, the world capital of cutlery in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Specific dates and times

The show opens its doors on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., allowing for a complete immersion from the morning with the first demonstrations. On Sunday, May 17, the show opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m., offering a more relaxed day to browse among the stands and workshops. These hours facilitate access to the 300 exhibitors from 23 countries, spread across 2,500 m² at the former Flowserve site on Avenue du Progrès.

Entry fees and access

Tickets cost €10 for one day or €15 for two days, including access to the exhibition, the cutlery village, and the Cutlery Museum; free for children under 15. Payments by cash, credit card, or contactless are accepted. To facilitate travel, free shuttle buses connect the site to Thiers SNCF train station (30-minute walk), the town center, the town hall, and the Vallée des Usines (Valley of Factories) – Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Free parking is available in town during the event, with easy access via the A72/A89 motorway (1.5 hours from Lyon, 4 hours from Paris).

Activities and highlights

Coutellia brings together artisan cutlers, manufacturers, and suppliers of materials (horn, wood, Damascus steel) and equipment, with live demonstrations of forging, assembly, polishing, and engraving. Visitors can touch the materials, participate in introductory workshops, and attend international competitions highlighting the often-overlooked industrial precision of Thiers. It's a unique sensory experience: exchanges between enthusiasts, rare pieces to acquire, and a focus on ancestral traditions such as guilloché work and chasing.

Why visit Coutellia

Thiers, the cradle of a thousand-year-old craft (AOP Thiers Knife), has hosted this biennial event since 1994, attracting 20,000 visitors. The 2026 edition promises even greater richness with 200 knife makers and an accessibility initiative for people with disabilities. Whether you are a novice or an expert, it's an opportunity to appreciate how steel meets art, from the raw blade to the exceptional object, in a friendly and professional atmosphere.