Crafts to discover Cilaos

Angèle Mac-Auliffe, daughter of the first doctor of Cilaos, introduced the young girls of the circus to embroidery. Today, the Maison's president, Suzanne Maillot, Meilleur Ouvrière de France, continues the tradition. Exhibited in the style of the great galleries, you'll find household and table linens. The tour explains the "jours" technique, handed down through the generations, and the time needed to complete the work. It takes three months to make a one-meter table throw. You can also meet the embroiderers. A warm welcome awaits you.

An embroidery shop where you can see an embroiderer at work. She works there all day long, on a tablecloth stretched on a "drum". Luciane Técher will make you discover all the current embroidery techniques. Inspired by Tenerife lace, she asserts her method by getting rid of excess frills. This long work is today threatened by Malagasy imports at low prices. Souvenirs to bring back: framed embroideries or coasters.

At the entrance to the circus, Mrs. Grondin explains the embroidery technique that has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She weaves placemats to be framed or coasters, with multiple shapes, including the emblematic "straw in tail". In 2008, she was awarded first prize in the "hope" category of the regional Grand Prix des Métiers. The selling price of the books is indicative of the time it takes to make them. She also sells wine and lentils.