Of earth and rock
The manual skill of the potters has contributed to the economic health of the Gard and Hérault departments over the centuries. From the end of the Middle Ages, the city of Montpellier counted among its activities an important potters' centre. If the glorious era of Montpellier faience is a matter of history, it remains that these ceramists founded the centres of Ganges, Pézenas, Toulouse, Bordeaux, La Rochelle... Today, afew potters in the Ecusson, the historic centre of the city, ensure the preservation of these skills.To the north of Montpellier, in the Hérault valley, is the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Fos. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, it was celebrated for its raw or glazed pottery. After years of sleep, the tradition made its return to the city. From now on, the production of glazed tiles will adorn the recent constructions of the suburbs of Montpellier. Here, several young potters have decided to come together to form the " route of potiers " and bring this art to life.
In the Gard, near Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, a dozen ceramists and potters are continuing the work undertaken in the region since the Neolithic period. They chose to revive the activity in 1983, after the last kilns were shut down in 1926. Nowadays, they present a quality production, very diversified: glazed earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, raku, earthenware ...
In the east, near Alès, the Anduze vases are experiencing a renaissance. Appreciated by kings in the 18th century, these large glazed garden vases adorned the Orangery and the gardens of Versailles. After a decline in the 20th century, production continued thanks to the nine potteries of the "Anduze vase route" which still make these colourful vases from fine clay, shaped by walking on a lathe.
Further afield, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, another precision work is to be celebrated: the pruning and mounting of the Catalan garnet. This stone, symbolic of the department, both by its historical roots (since the 19th century) and its colours (red and gold), recently obtained the Protected Geographical Indication label, making the Perpignan garnet the first jewel to be protected by a PGI. Nowadays, about ten jewellers shape this stone and perpetuate the tradition, transforming it into rings, brooches, pendants and crosses.
The wood craftsmanship
Craftsmen have learned to tame the species of character, transforming wood into objects of utility and beauty. This lively material is today used in three specific sectors in the Languedoc.Already in Lozère, wood, and more particularly pine, is used to create the bouffadous. This strange object, which is usually found leaning against the fireplace, is used to fan the embers. In concrete terms, it is a long wooden tube without bark that has been hollowed out in its centre. To use it, simply inflate your lungs and blow through it in the direction of the fire. Today, this traditional object is made by a single craftsman: the wood turner Jean-Louis Sirvins, in Mende.
In the Gard and the Pyrénées-Orientales, it is the hackberry, a tree symbolic of the region, which has given rise to original productions that have taken advantage of the flexibility and malleability of its wood.
In Sauve(Gard), the tree is specially planted and cut, before an expert eye determines whether its branched shoots can be used to make forks. This local know-how, entirely manual, has been passed down through the centuries and continues to punctuate the life of this small, smallvillage of 2,000 inhabitants.
Sorède, in the small Albères massif (Pyrénées-Orientales), is the capital of wooden whips and whips. Although it had its hour of glory in the 19th century, when equestrian sports were popularised, the factory is still relatively active.
In the course of creation
The art of creating and handling fabric is used in the Languedoc in many ways. In the Cévennes, from the end of the 12th century to the end of the 19th century, the silk industry was the most important in the area. After a significant decline, partly due to imports, this activity began a revival some fifteen years ago. It was motivated by a handful of enthusiasts who revived a whole sector, from worm rearing to spinning. Today, this production is intended for the haute couture industry.In the Aude valley, in the heart of the fertile Razès valley, hat-making has left its mark on local history. At the beginning of the century, the hatmaking workshops of Couiza employed more than 3 000 ouvriers. Today, only the hat factory in Montazels is still in operation. Its products headdress the heads of some Navy or firefighter personnel.
Finally, one cannot leave this sector without mentioning Catalan weaving and the production of espadrilles. Emblematic of the region, this fabric is still produced in two workshops: in Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans and Arles-sur-Tech. The result of an old tradition, it is characterised by geometric or striped patterns, predominantly red. Resistant, it is generally used for the manufacture of deckchair covers and table linen. It is also used to make the famous espadrilles, from Catalan sandals to rope-soled shoes.
