The history of Carrefour - The European Quilt Show
Every year in September, over 15,000 quilters and textile art enthusiasts from all over the world gather in the picturesque region of Alsace, in Eastern France, for Carrefour.
Spread across four villages, this unique quilt show features around 40 exhibits from artists and collectors across the globe and showcases over a thousand of the finest examples in traditional, contemporary, and modern patchwork art.
In French, the name of the show is “Le Carrefour Européen du Patchwork.” The word “Carrefour” refers to a crossroads, which is a nod to both the location and the purpose of the meeting: this one-of-a-kind event is located at the meeting of different roads within the valley of the Val d’Argent (the Silver Valley), and provides a space to bring together not only French and European quilt lovers, but also local and international textile art aficionados, experts and brands.
Key figures of patchwork arts and institutions have exhibited or participated in the show, including Carolyn L. Mazloomi, Nancy Crow, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Paula Nadelstern, Libs Elliott, Luke Haynes, SAQA, the International Quilt Museum, Quilt National, and many more.
A show that’s deeply rooted in history
Why Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines?
This may seem like an unlikely place to host such a large quilt show, however it makes much more sense when you know that this area is the birthplace of the Amish. Their story started in the 16th century when Mennonites fled religious persecution in Switzerland and migrated to France, Germany and the Netherlands. A group found themselves in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, where they appreciated religious tolerance from the townspeople and fertile lands for farming.
As time passed, some members of this now established Mennonite settlement had growing concerns as this fraction began to integrate into the local community, and their behaviors slowly strayed from tradition. Swiss preacher Jakob Ammann in 1693 demanded a return to a more simple and isolated lifestyle, thus creating the first Amish community in the hills surrounding Sainte-Marie-aux Mines.
In the mid-1700s, as religious intolerance continued to spread throughout Europe, the Amish community decided to seek refuge in the British Colonies in North America. It is here where the Amish first began their tradition of patchwork quilting. In a community where resources were often scarce, the ability to repurpose materials was highly valued. There, they learned the art of patchwork and quilting: a perfect activity to make practical use of scraps of fabric and garments. Quilting resonated with their principles such as thrift, patience, and community.
From the symposium to the first Carrefour in 1995
The story of Carrefour Européen du Patchwork began in 1993, when the French Association for Anabaptist and Mennonite History, together with Swiss collector Jacques Légeret, helped raise local awareness of quilts and Amish traditions.
That year, the Association organized a world symposium in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Amish movement, which was founded in the region. Jacques Légeret was invited to curate an exhibition of Amish quilts from his collection, displayed in the Théâtre where Amish history experts were delivering lectures. The event was a landmark moment for both Amish and world history, drawing coverage from 18 television networks and welcoming over 5,000 visitors.
Two years after the 1993 symposium, the Carrefour show was born. Driven by the Val d’Argent Tourist Office under the leadership of Eric Jacob, and with the support of AFHAM and the local authorities, the event was built around the valley’s Amish heritage and its rich textile tradition. BERNINA, then a partner of the Fête du Tissu—another major textile event in the area—played a key role by encouraging discussions about a new momentum for patchwork. It was also BERNINA that introduced the Tourist Office to the young France Patchwork association, whose expertise helped establish the Carrefour as a major gathering for quilters from all over France. Thanks to its unique location near the borders of Germany and Switzerland, the event quickly gained a European dimension, bringing together patchwork enthusiasts in a spirit of sharing and community. The first edition, held in 1995, took place in the St-Nicolas Church and the Villa Burrus in Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, before gradually expanding to the other villages of the Val d’Argent.
Grounded in this rich history, Carrefour continues to feature Amish quilts every year, alongside modern and contemporary textile art. It was the Amish and their quilts that paved the way for the organizers to create an authentic, ambitious, and bold event—one that brings together exceptional textile artworks in all styles and showcases dozens of international artists each year.
Carrefour today
A quilting adventure around four villages
You may have attended other quilt shows around the world, but visiting Carrefour is a truly unique experience. It blends the best of American shows—where hundreds of quilts are entered by individuals in themed exhibitions—with the spirit of European quilt events, where each artist presents their latest work in a dedicated gallery space.
At Carrefour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more than 30 solo exhibitions at once. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in each artist’s world, meet the makers, and discover fresh perspectives with every new venue you visit.
The heart of the event is in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, where you’ll find the lively vendor halls and several key exhibition spaces, including the town’s historic theater, churches, and public halls. But the experience doesn’t stop there—visitors are encouraged to explore the neighboring villages of Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Lièpvre, and Rombach-le-Franc, where many more exhibitions await. Altogether, Carrefour spans more than 15 different venues across the Val d’Argent.
Attending Carrefour is a four-day quilt adventure. As you journey from village to village, seeking out each exhibition, you’ll also experience the charm of authentic French culture. Along the way, you’ll stroll through streets lined with centuries-old buildings, artisan shops, and traditional bakeries—reminders of the region’s rich mining and textile heritage.
Throughout the week, cafés and restaurants become lively gathering places, buzzing with conversation about quilts, fabrics, and threads. Although the two farthest villages are about 9 miles (15 kilometers) apart, free shuttle buses make it easy to travel between all four villages, ensuring you won’t miss a thing.
