GLASSWORK THE ROCK

One of the region's most astonishing tours, dedicated to art and craftsmanship. The La Rochère crystal works, founded in 1475, are the oldest in France. It was built on the edge of a forest to provide wood for the furnaces. Silica was extracted from the sandstone soil and lime from the limestone soils of the Vosges. Glass was born of this alchemy. Since the installation of Simon de Thysac, the first master glassmaker, a long history has taken root here, punctuated by a few broken windows (the glassworks was attacked and destroyed several times over the following two centuries). Bought out in 2021 by Holding TOURRES, already owner of Watersperger glassworks in Blangy-sur-Bresle, specialized in luxury bottles. We visit the workshops, which have been modernized over the years. The glassblower's gesture, on the other hand, has not changed. A gesture handed down from generation to generation. In the store, over 1,000 models, from classic glassware to artistic creations, vases, lamps, perfume bottles, in contemporary, original or classic shapes. Finally, to round off this not-to-be-missed visit, we end with the Japanese Garden and Gallery, home to numerous artists. With its wealth of expertise, La Verrerie develops mouth-blown and machine-blown glass collections ranging from 18th-century reissues to designer creations. La Rochère is all about conviviality, gourmandise and curiosity, sharing the pleasure of entertaining across generations.