Coutellia 2027 is the premier international festival dedicated to the art and tradition of knife-making, featuring 300 exhibitors from around the world.
Dates
15–16 May 2027
City / country
Thiers, France
Venue
Thiers
Event overview
Coutellia 2027 will be held on May 15-16 in Thiers, France, celebrating the craftsmanship of knife-making. This festival attracts knife enthusiasts and professionals alike, showcasing a wide range of artistic and functional knives.
With 300 exhibitors from 23 countries, attendees can explore unique pieces and participate in various competitions and demonstrations. Coutellia 2027 takes place in Thiers, France.
TL;DR
Thiers has ground blades since the Middle Ages, and Coutellia is where that craft meets the current market: two days of hand-forged fixed blades, French slip-joint and liner-lock folders, kitchen cutlery, Damascus and san-mai billets, plus the handle materials, sheaths, sharpening systems and workshop equipment that surround them. Tickets will be available online closer to the event. Programme highlight: Jobs Knife Challenge. Programme highlight: Damascus World Cup.
Exhibitors gain visibility among a targeted audience of knife enthusiasts and collectors, providing opportunities for direct sales and networking. The festival features 300 exhibitors from 23 countries, showcasing the art of knife-making. Attendees include knife enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals. Coutellia 2027 will be held on May 15-16 in Thiers, France, celebrating the craftsmanship of knife-making.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Thiers in Thiers typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Thiers in Thiers typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Thiers for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Who runs the show
“Pays du Thiers Rugby)
Organiser
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 7,200
Exhibitors: 300
Edition #: 35
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Edition recap
New this edition
—
The first Jobs Knife Challenge was held at Coutellia 2026, with Thiernois makers taking the podium according to trade coverage.
SourceImpact
The 35th edition of Coutellia was held in Thiers in May 2026 and drew 7,200 visitors, with 22 countries represented and 300 exhibitors. Attendance was stable compared with the previous edition, and the first Jobs Knife Challenge ended with Thiernois makers on the podium. The official post-show report described the 35th edition as a proven success. The 2026 edition brought together 7,200+ visitors at Thiers.
Audience quality
The 2026 edition drew 7,200+ visitors across hobbyist and trade audiences. The 35th edition of Coutellia was held in Thiers in May 2026 and drew 7,200 visitors, with 22 countries represented and 300 exhibitors. Attendance was stable compared with the previous edition, and the first Jobs Knife Challenge ended with Thiernois makers on the podium. The official post-show report described the 35th edition as a proven success.
Exhibitor outcomes
The 2026 edition hosted 300+ exhibiting companies. The 35th edition of Coutellia was held in Thiers in May 2026 and drew 7,200 visitors, with 22 countries represented and 300 exhibitors. Attendance was stable compared with the previous edition, and the first Jobs Knife Challenge ended with Thiernois makers on the podium. The official post-show report described the 35th edition as a proven success.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
On 2027-05-15 to 2027-05-16, Coutellia 2027 in Thiers covering Artisan knives and custom designs, Kitchen knives and culinary tools, Collectible and decorative knives, Knife-making ma gives trade buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Latest updates from across the market.
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ReadPlan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport
Closest scheduled-service airport to Thiers; domestic French routes dominate, so international visitors often connect through Paris. Confirm hire-car hours and transfer times before booking
TBA
to venue
roughly 1 h by road
by car
Lyon-Saint-Exupery Airport
The main international gateway for the region, with the widest choice of European and long-haul connections; rail onwards via Lyon Part-Dieu to Thiers is an alternative to a hire car
TBA
to venue
roughly 1 h 45 min to 2 h by road
by car
Saint-Etienne-Boutheon Airport
Small regional airport with limited scheduled service; check that a flight actually operates on your dates before planning around it
TBA
to venue
roughly 1 h 15 min by road
by car
Paris Charles de Gaulle / Orly
Useful for long-haul arrivals; combine a flight into Paris with a TGV to Clermont-Ferrand or Lyon and a final road leg into Thiers. Confirm rail timetables for the weekend
TBA
to venue
roughly 4 h 30 min by road, or about 4 h by TGV plus road transfer
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Thiers town-centre small hotels and guesthouses
The most convenient base for Coutellia, but capacity is small and show weekend demand is concentrated. Book with free cancellation as early as possible and confirm check-in hours, since small properties do not staff a 24-hour desk.
Thiers periphery and A89 corridor chain hotels
Best value if you are driving in, with easy access from Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon. Expect functional rooms rather than charm; breakfast is often a paid extra, and late arrival should be flagged to the property.
Clermont-Ferrand city hotels
The reliable fallback when Thiers is full, with a much wider choice of restaurants and evening options. Pair a hotel near Clermont-Ferrand station with the TER service towards Thiers to avoid parking at the fair.
Vichy and Roanne country and spa hotels
Suited to a longer stay around the fair, with spa and riverside options. Not practical for a single show day without a car; check whether your property serves dinner on Sunday, when many regional restaurants close.
Lyon or Saint-Etienne business hotels
Use Lyon if you are combining Coutellia with flights or onward business in the region; Saint-Etienne is closer and cheaper but offers far less evening choice. Confirm the Sunday rail timetable before relying on it.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Bus
Schedules and stops via busmaps.com Thiers Smtut listing.
Coach
Airport-to-Thiers coach route listed by FlixBus and ComparaBUS.
taxi
roughly 1 h 45 min to 2 h by road; The main international gateway for the region, with the widest choice of European and long-haul connections; rail onwards via Lyon Part-Dieu to Thiers is an alternative to a hire car.
taxi
roughly 1 h by road; Closest scheduled-service airport to Thiers; domestic French routes dominate, so international visitors often connect through Paris. Confirm hire-car hours and transfer times before booking.
taxi
roughly 1 h 15 min by road; Small regional airport with limited scheduled service; check that a flight actually operates on your dates before planning around it.
taxi
taxi
roughly 4 h 30 min by road, or about 4 h by TGV plus road transfer; Useful for long-haul arrivals; combine a flight into Paris with a TGV to Clermont-Ferrand or Lyon and a final road leg into Thiers. Confirm rail timetables for the weekend.
taxi
roughly 4 h 30 min by road, or about 4 h by TGV plus road transfer; Useful for long-haul arrivals; combine a flight into Paris with a TGV to Clermont-Ferrand or Lyon and a final road leg into Thiers. Confirm rail timetables for the weekend.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Weather
Mid-May in Thiers is mild and changeable rather than warm: typical daytime highs sit around 17-21 C, with nights falling to roughly 7-10 C. Rain is realistic on either show day, often as short spring showers rather than all-day downpours. These are climatological normals for the Puy-de-Dome foothills, not a forecast; check Meteo-France within 72 hours of travel. Exhibition halls and older town buildings can feel cool in the morning, so a light layer is worth carrying even if the afternoon is pleasant.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
EU roaming may apply for EU SIMs; local prepaid SIM and eSIM options are widely available - confirm venue Wi‑Fi with the organiser.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Cutlery capital context
Thiers is the historic centre of French blade making, and the town's upper quarter and cutlery museum explain the trade you see in the halls. If you have a spare half day around the fair, the old town is the reason the event is here rather than in a larger city.
Working language on the stands
French is the default language for most exhibitors, and smaller workshops may have limited English. A short printed French summary of your buying interests, plus a translation app, gets you much further than speaking louder.
Opening hours and meals
French lunch runs roughly 12:00 to 14:00, and many regional restaurants close on Sunday evening and Monday. Book dinner for the Saturday of the show in advance, and do not count on a late kitchen after 21:00.
Buying from makers
Many workshops accept cards, but keep some cash for small purchases, deposits and catalogue items. Always ask before photographing a maker's work, filming a demonstration or handling a high-value piece, and leave a business card if you want a quote later.
Blades and travel regulations
Knives bought at Coutellia cannot travel in cabin baggage. Pack purchases in checked luggage in a hard case, or arrange postal shipping from France; check your destination country's customs and prohibited-item rules before buying.
Greetings and etiquette
Say bonjour when you approach a stand, and au revoir on leaving. Service charges are included in French restaurant bills, so tipping is a small optional rounding rather than an expected percentage.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: CFE
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Thiers; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Non-EU business visitors generally need a Schengen short-stay visa for France; check your nationality against the France-Visas portal before booking travel to Coutellia.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Apply through France-Visas; a business-trip visa route is documented on the official portal. Processing time and fee amounts were not captured, confirm on the portal before applying.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport (CFE): roughly 1 h by road; Lyon-Saint-Exupery Airport (LYS): roughly 1 h 45 min to 2 h by road; Saint-Etienne-Boutheon Airport (EBU): roughly 1 h 15 min by road; Paris Charles de Gaulle / Orly (CDG / ORY): roughly 4 h 30 min by road, or about 4 h by TGV plus road transfer. Allow road or rail time to Thiers; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Thiers: Thiers centre and upper town: Thiers town-centre small hotels and guesthouses; Thiers outskirts and motorway junctions: Thiers periphery and A89 corridor chain hotels; Clermont-Ferrand centre and Grande Halle district: Clermont-Ferrand city hotels.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Thiers; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Thiers is served by the local Smtut bus network; timetables, routes, and stops are published on busmaps.com and the Ville de Thiers mobility page.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Thiers; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027
Temperature: Approx. 7-21 C in mid-May: daytime highs typically 17-21 C, overnight lows around 7-10 C (climatological normals for Thiers, confirm the forecast before travelling).
Seasonality: May is a changeable shoulder-season month in the Auvergne foothills, with roughly 10 to 12 rain days across the month and frequent short showers. Rain rarely lasts all day, so a packable shell layer is more useful than heavy waterproof gear, and the mornings can be noticeably colder than the afternoon.
Packing: Pack layers rather than a single coat: a T-shirt or shirt plus a fleece or light jacket covers 7-21 C, and a packable rain shell handles spring showers. Bring comfortable walking shoes for the cobbled upper town and museum visits, and something warmer for evenings, which drop to around 7-10 C.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Coutellia 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Confirm the 2027 Coutellia dates and opening hours on coutellia.fr — Coutellia runs over a weekend in Thiers; check whether visitor days split into trade and public access before fixing travel.
Book accommodation in Thiers or along the Clermont-Ferrand / Vichy / Roanne axis — Thiers is a small town with limited room stock; show weekends fill early, so a 60-80 km base with a morning drive is a realistic fallback.
Fix air and rail legs to Lyon-Saint-Exupery (LYS) or Clermont-Ferrand (CFE), then onward to Thiers — Allow 2 hours by road from LYS and about 1 hour from CFE; confirm TER timetables for the final leg.
Check the ticketing page and register or buy entry if online sales have opened — Do not assume on-site cash entry; the organiser publishes the current access route on the official site.
Build a short list of makers and product families to see first — Decide in advance whether the priority is French traditional folders, forged fixed blades, kitchen cutlery or handle and steel supplies, then plan the hall walk around it.
Note the cutlery heritage visits you want alongside the fair — The upper town and the cutlery museum explain the trade on show; half a day is enough if you are only attending one fair day.
Check the Meteo-France forecast for Puy-de-Dome and pack accordingly — Mid-May in Thiers swings between mild afternoons and cold mornings; a light shell is more useful than an umbrella in crowded halls.
Confirm badge collection requirements and bring photo ID — French venues commonly ask for ID at accreditation desks, including for pre-registered visitors.
Plan the purchase and transport of any knife you intend to buy — Blades cannot go in cabin baggage; either check a hard case or arrange shipping from France and check your destination's customs rules.
Travel to the Thiers area and check in before the first show morning — Same-day arrival from LYS leaves little margin if a flight slips, and Saturday morning traffic around Clermont-Ferrand can be slow.
Arrive at opening, collect the hall plan and work the stands in priority order — Small workshops are busiest late morning; artisan conversations are easier early.
Follow up with makers on commissions, quotes and shipping — Ask for written confirmation of lead times and steel specifications rather than relying on stand conversation.
Registration and hall orientation at Thiers
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
Coutellia 2027 registration concourse
Thiers
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Thiers
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether Coutellia 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Coutellia 2027, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Artisan knives and custom designs and Kitchen knives and culinary tools solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Coutellia 2027 in Thiers.
Min. budget
$450.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Artisan knives and custom designs and Kitchen knives and culinary tools products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Thiers show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
Trust footer
5
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
Coutellia
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