Mantel Sunday at the end of October has long been a staple of Mainz’s calendar of events. The Sunday shopping day and the Fête de la Gastronomie—or Burgundy Festival—draw many Mainz residents and visitors from the surrounding area to the city center every year. This year, a special art project organized by Haus Burgund provides an additional highlight and enriches the city center: through October 25, 2026, artist Matteo Legrand Droz will transform the storefronts of several shops, as well as the display window of Haus Burgund, into works of art, bringing a touch of French flair to Mainz. The project invites people to discover art casually and in the midst of everyday life.

Matteo Legrand Droz, an artist originally from Besançon, began his artistic career in the street art scene immediately after graduating from high school. Numerous travels and encounters both at home and abroad have significantly contributed to the development of his style. For the past three years, he has been living and working in Besançon again. There, he draws creative inspiration and refines his technique. His practice balances technical precision with the exploration of new perspectives through visual aesthetics.

Working closely with participating retailers, Matteo Legrand Droz creates custom designs in downtown Mainz that are tailored to each store and its unique characteristics. The result is a series of unique works of art that enrich the cityscape, attract curious glances, and open up new perspectives on Mainz’s shopping streets. The display window of the Burgundy House will also be part of the project, highlighting the close cultural ties between Mainz and Burgundy. It will be unveiled on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Strengthening the Economy and the Downtown Area

For Manuela Matz, Head of the Economic Affairs Department, the art project is an attractive addition to Mantelsonntag: “A vibrant downtown thrives on diversity, unique experiences, and the connection between retail, culture, and dining. The art project for the Burgundy Festival builds on exactly this. We’re creating a special highlight with this and hope it will attract even more people to Mainz. This unique event brings our downtown to life in a creative way and draws attention to our shops. I’m very pleased that this initiative adds a special dimension to the traditional Mantelsonntag.”

Making Culture Visible and Accessible to All

Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Culture, also welcomes the connection between art and public space: “Art doesn’t always have to take place in a museum or gallery. It can meet us anywhere, change our perspective, and spark new conversations. When storefronts become works of art, culture comes directly to the people—in an accessible, surprising way, right in the midst of urban life. The project demonstrates how art can enrich public spaces and transform the downtown area into a place of inspiration.”

The French Way of Life in the Heart of Mainz

Laurent Vieille, director of Haus Burgund, emphasizes the project’s significance for Franco-German cultural exchange: “The Burgundy Festival symbolizes the special bond between Mainz and Burgundy and the joy of French culture and way of life. With this art project, we’re bringing that connection directly into the city center. The design of the storefront windows and display case at the House of Burgundy creates new encounters with French art and offers a vibrant gateway to our partner region. I’m delighted that we’re making this cultural exchange visible and accessible to everyone in this way.”

Unique Artworks with a Distinctive Style

For Matteo Legrand Droz, engaging with each specific location is at the heart of his work: “I’m interested in how art can enter into a dialogue with its surroundings. Every store has its own character, its own history, and its own atmosphere. I want to capture these unique qualities and translate them into individual designs. The storefronts become small stages that interrupt everyday life, surprise passersby, and invite them to take a closer look. I’m looking forward to creating works of art that fit right in with downtown Mainz.”

Collaborative Efforts for an Attractive City Center

City Manager Sandra Klima sees the project as another important boost for the downtown area: “An attractive downtown emerges when different stakeholders work together to develop ideas and break new ground. This project brings together artists, retailers, and the cultural sector, demonstrating just how much creative potential our downtown holds. The individually designed storefronts invite people to stroll through the streets, discover something new, and experience the city from a different perspective. I’m especially pleased that retailers are opening their storefronts for this special art project and are thus enriching the downtown area together.”

Discover Art, Experience the City Center

The art project complements the program surrounding the Burgunderfest and the traditional Mantelsonntag. The window artworks can be admired until around mid-November. This transforms Mainz’s downtown into an open-air gallery that’s accessible free of charge and brings art to the very places where people shop, stroll, and meet. The project highlights just how vibrant and diverse Mainz’s downtown is.

Who’s participating?

Schué – Kirschgarten 29

Die Bay – Schillerstraße 24

Foto Rimbach – Schillerplatz 18a

Anima GmbH – Große Langgasse 5-7

Goldener Hirsch – Nackstraße 16

Willenberg Jewelry – Schillerstraße 24a

Kohnoa – Inselstraße 2

Exclusive Lingerie Gross-Schmahl

Inselstraße ‘s Fachl – Inselstraße 4

Manhattan Mode Mayence – Inselstraße 4

Wirth “Der Kinderladen,” Schillerstraße 48

Kleiderschrank – Kirschgarten 1

Müller Coffee Roastery – Höfchen 2

Haus Burgund – Große Bleiche 29

State Museum – Große Bleiche 49

For more information, visit: 

https://www.hausburgund.de/actualites/schaufenster-design/