Gvarv is a village in Midt-Telemark Municipality in Telemark county, Norway. The village is located along the river Bøelva, just 1 km from where the river empties into the large lake Norsjø. The village of Bø lies about 7 km to the northwest, the village of Akkerhaugen lies about 5 km to the east, and the village of Ulefoss lies about 15 km to the southeast. The 1.31 km2 village has a population (2022) of 1,109 and a population density of 844 PD/km2. Gvarv is a farming area, noted for its apples, sweet cherries, and sour cherries (as is the whole Sauherad area). It is also notable for growing grapes and producing wine (which is unusual in Norway). Gvarv also hosts the apple festival Eplefest and the music festival Kartfestivalen, a pop/rock festival held in the middle of August. The Norwegian painter Erik Werenskiold painted a number of his famous rustic landscapes, such as Telemarksjenter ("Girls from Telemark"), in the vicinity of Gvarv. Sagavoll folkehøgskole (folk high school) is located in Gvarv and the Nes Church lies about 3 km to the southeast of the village on the Nes peninsula.

Name

The village is named after the old Gvarv farm. The name is identical to the word hvarf which means "bend" or "bow" (here referring to the turn in the lower part of the river Gvarvelva.

Climate