Carnets de Cerdanya – Transfrontier Sketching Weekend

3–4 October 2026 | Sainte-Léocadie, France & Bolvir, Catalonia

Following the success of the first edition, Carnets de Cerdanya returns on 3 and 4 October 2026 for a weekend of sketching, creativity, encounters and discovery on both sides of the French-Catalan border.

pen to sketchers of all levels and nationalities, the event is an opportunity to meet other people who enjoy drawing on location, exchange ideas and explore the landscapes, architecture, heritage and everyday life of the Cerdanya through drawing.

The weekend begins on Saturday at the Musée de Cerdagne in Sainte-Léocadie, before crossing the border on Sunday to the Espai Ceretània in Bolvir.

Saturday 3 October – Musée de Cerdagne, Sainte-Léocadie

The Musée de Cerdagne, also known as Cal Mateu, is a remarkable historic farmstead dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, set in the heart of the Cerdanya. Once a working agricultural estate and an important centre of local administration, the site now houses the Musée de Cerdagne, which explores the history, culture and heritage of the Cerdanya. The building is a listed historic monument and the museum has been recognised as a Musée de France since 1997. ((⁠Pyrénées Cerdagne Tourisme)

It is an especially appropriate setting for a sketching event: the historic farm buildings, garden and surrounding landscape offer plenty to discover and draw.

The museum is also currently presenting “De la poussière à la lumière: 40 ans de trésors cerdans”, celebrating 40 years of the museum and bringing objects from its collections back into the spotlight.

Programme

9:00 – Meet at the Musée de Cerdagne

9:30–12:30 – Workshops and sketching walk
Cyanotype workshop with Gwendalys, plus sketching workshops with Olivia Marcus and Santi Sallés.

10:00–12:30 – Sketching walk and free drawing

12:30 – Lunch
Bring your own picnic or enjoy the food truck on site.

13:30–16:30 – Free sketching around the museum

16:30–17:30 – Exhibition of the day’s drawings and closing

Sunday 4 October – Espai Ceretània, Bolvir

On Sunday, the group crosses into Catalonia and meets at Espai Ceretània in Bolvir, a cultural and archaeological site exploring the history and heritage of the Cerdanya.

The day will combine workshops and free sketching with opportunities to explore the museum, the village of Bolvir and the nearby church of Sant Climent de Talltorta.

Programme

10:00 – Welcome at Espai Ceretània, Bolvir

10:30–13:30 – Workshops with Olivia Marcus and Santi Sallés

At the same time, participants can choose between free sketching in the museum, visiting and/or sketching at Sant Climent de Talltorta, or drawing around Bolvir.

13:30 – Exhibition of drawings made during the morning

14:00 – End of Carnets de Cerdanya

Practical information

Carnets de Cerdanya is open to everyone and participation is free, with the exception of the workshops, which require advance registration and payment.

Registered participants will receive free admission to the Musée de Cerdagne on Saturday and Espai Ceretània on Sunday.

For workshops, please register and pay in advance at www.uskbarcelona.cat.

On Saturday, you are welcome to bring a picnic. A food truck will also be available at the Musée de Cerdagne.

Whether you are an experienced urban sketcher or simply enjoy picking up a pencil and drawing what you see, come and spend a weekend exploring the Cerdanya through sketching, meeting fellow artists and discovering this unique cross-border landscape.

Everyone is welcome!