Arts and crafts Languedoc Roussillon

Just push the door to enter another universe, a shop as there existed in the Renaissance on Florence's Ponte Vecchio, with the scent of glue plus. The long table on which some leather and tooling samples appear waiting, the big press, the shelf with its rolls of fabrics and papers, the relieuse, or the bookbinder, which interrupts its meticulous work to take the time to discuss. Aurélie and Stéphane, both craftsmen, created a scop, a cooperative cooperative, to structure their collaboration. They both make a tradition of tradition that applies to beautiful books, pocket books, magazine collections… Leather, canvas, paper with multiple motifs or mosaic-framed fabrics guarantee the preservation and aesthetics of the various works, personalize an agenda and constitute an excellent gift idea. Wonderful!

From earthenware to stoneware, Régine loves the wheel, that moment of fusion with the clay. Her raw pieces are then dressed with lace, plants, oxides and beeswax. For her, each piece is the expression of a mood, a unique moment. She loves to share her passion and has set up a pottery workshop here: hand-forming, discovery of techniques using masses, plates, colombin, decoration, inlaying, imprinting, polishing... She welcomes her students throughout the year for regular courses and customized workshops.

By buying from Artisans du Monde, the consumer is taking a responsible approach. Any object, textile or food product (tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, honey, spices), will be paid at the right price, and a decent remuneration must return to the economic actors (small producers). From the scarf of Bangladesh to the maracas of Kenya, from the unrefined cane sugar of Peru to the teapot of Nepal, passing by the quinoa of Bolivia or the last book on ecology made of recycled paper. This is trade with a view to equity and social justice.

"Before I was a beautiful bucket, I was a beaujolais" could be the slogan of Culo, a small company that works for the planet through upcycling. The concept is simple, but we had to think of it: they recover wine bottles and transform them into trendy tableware: glasses, vases, trays, carafes. It takes no less than six stages to get the finished product, a lot of work and a product that looks great! Unique, eco-friendly handcrafted creations. It's time to do something for the planet.

This Catalan weaving factory, located in Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans for more than 150 years, has kept the same weaving techniques. Les Toiles du Soleil are a worldwide success, in addition to the 8 stores in Japan, stores dedicated to the products of the Toiles are also established in Paris and New York ... a real success story in the Catalan. The factory cannot be visited, but for our greatest pleasure, the store in Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans has been redesigned and enlarged. Other stores in Perpignan and Montpellier.

Anduze has always been the pottery capital of the Cevennes. Famous for its vases with large garlands, inspired by Tuscan models of the Renaissance, the Poterie de la Madeleine once supplied many homes and adorned many parks and gardens. For the contemporary amateurs, here is the ideal address to get these pots of all sizes, often imitated, never equaled. You will be seduced by the classic models and the Lisa collection will not leave you indifferent with its contemporary XXL shapes.

This artisanal espadrille and vicatana factory created by two local children proves that tradition is stronger than anything else. Athletes have run the Paris marathon with these espadrilles, the famous fashion designers have paraded their espadrilles models on their feet. The desire to make this vigatane evolve is permanent, creating new models for men and women, for children too, in heels, in more fancy colours, but always bayadères, with fabrics signed Toiles du Soleil, "the other lung" of Saint Laurent.

The small boutique presents the work of the potter Daniel Castel and his wife Geneviève. Decorative objects, crockery or jewellery, the shapes are in constant evolution, the teapots are made belly-up, the cone-shaped coffee pots are topped with a small twist. The play of enamel allows these two artists to vary the colours, while the fire of firing reveals crystals, produces cracks and nuances. A great mastery and what is needed of originality for this beautiful work. Gallery of rope jars exhibited next to the shop.

The origin of these knives comes from Tulle in Corrèze where an enthusiast opened his own factory of craft knives in 2004. He then made his first pocket knife, the Corrèze man who immediately charms the most demanding in cutlery, both for the work of the blade and that of the handle. All the pieces are entirely handmade, with attention to detail and disproportionate perfection. Each region to its knife, in Carcassonne is therefore Occitan: an original model with its olive handle adorned with the Occitan cross, symbol of Occitania, which now comes in various forms in a complete range. This know-how also extends to a wide range of table knives, each more beautiful than the last. They have been able to impose themselves on prestigious tables and delight great starred chefs. These knives are guaranteed for life. You will find a beautiful sample in the shop in the heart of the city of Carcassonne (Place Auguste-Pierre-Pont, very close to the basilica), where the charming Valérie will answer your most specific questions and will advise you in your choices. To complete your range wherever you are, connect to their website.

François Siffre, worthy heir to a family tradition handed down through several generations, is now the only one to perpetuate the "old Montpellier" earthenware that contributed to the city's prosperity for nearly four centuries. Heir to the Fontcarrade workshops, he devotes himself to its perfection. He masters all earthenware techniques, from shaping, turning and molding to enameling. From tableware and medicine jars to earthenware panels, he has earned the coveted Living Heritage label.

Charming boutique that this Binder Deschamps, to advise lovers of the well done work, of the beautiful book that will cross the years. Here we give a new life to your precious books: made of fabric or leather, fine gold finish for perfect finish. The home artist knows his job well and will explain to you the different binder possibilities, from the earliest to the most practical or even administrative, such as the binding of the association's financial reports for 10 years, for example! The shop of the shop lets you discover the presses and breathe the smells of paper. Opening times can sometimes be largely exceeded. You only need to prevent a late visit and you will be waiting for you. Because here is another rhythm that awaits us, an atmosphere of the past that we have to feel. Photo albums, subtitles, gold books and many other gift ideas for lovers of beautiful pieces.

In recent years, metalwork is experiencing a great deal of enthusiasm; that is what Roger Cartier understood. In its studio in Clarensac, it creates original models, modern but inspired from the past, harmonizing with almost all decoration styles. Mirrors, luminaires and even furniture, pure and noble lines give iron its letters of nobility. It is beautiful, original and technically well done. Roger Cartier does not hide: he plays above all on seduction. Some good dining addresses have included it and have not hesitated to buy these achievements to furnish, decorate or simply use it. And séduire before the dishes arrive.

Passionate craftsman and creator of the Le Lozère knife, Nicolas Mourgues is inspired by his wild, unspoilt and diverse environment. In northern Lozère, he has created an exceptional knife, a "faithful companion" with clean lines and an ingenious mechanism. Yves Neveux, founder of the first model, left the signature of a territory of experience and experimentation, which Nicolas Mourgues has succeeded in evolving over 30 years through the values of authenticity and innovation. The Lozère is available from our online boutique and numerous retailers in France.

For more than twenty years, she has settled on the Margeride to work the clay to model. The designer produces pieces in a superb blue or soft green, from enamels that she makes herself. Bowls, vases and objects come out of her hands; the clay seems to obey her before being put into a kiln. The shapes are utilitarian or decorative, ranging from table services and jam funnels (very practical...) to charming mobiles. And the detour to his workshop-shop is an essential stop in the old village of Malzieu.

Terre Figuière is part of the prestigious framework of the Artisan potters of the Anduze region. The company strives to perpetuate a tradition in the art of making genuine Anduze vases. Before ending up in your garden, the earth is crushed, wetted, chamotteted, passed to the boudineuse, then the potter intervenes to form the vase. The vase is then taken out of the mold twelve hours later and decorated, primed and sprayed with manganese and copper oxides to give the green, brown, ochre and yellow tones. Finally, the final step: the firing!

The Vitraux Cluz (Couleurs & Lumières de l'Uzège) workshop offers made-to-measure creations and restores damaged stained glass. Nathalie Falaschi, a stained glass artist trained in ancient and traditional techniques, glass painting and recent techniques (Tiffany technique), founded the workshop in 2010. If you'd like to learn the art of stained glass, she offers introductory courses all year round. You can also find her decorative objects in her boutique.

Les enfants de Boisset is the story of a passionate family who, from generation to generation, shapes the clay to make the famous Anduze vase. Inspired by the elegance of Medici vases, the production of traditional Anduze vases is the flagship product of the family pottery. However, the company's expertise is also evident in the many other models created for the garden, from the most classic to the most modern in a variety of colors. An address where you can visit freely to admire the work of the potters.

La Cité potière is an associative ceramics store located in the heart of the city of Carcassonne. 21 artisan potters have joined together to make you discover their handmade clay creations. Each craftswoman uses a specific technique and clay. This store gathers various creations such as potteries, sculptures, jewels, decorative objects or tableware. Works made of stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain with different textures such as glazed earth, enamels on stoneware or raku firing.

Marie-Laure Vivien works with clay and enamel with passion. She says she loves clay, colors, but also white! A ceramist based in Puéchabon, the designer unveils a collection of raku with very colorful ethnic inspirations. Vases, teapots, bowls, plates, dishes and saucers in stoneware present traditional forms borrowed from authenticity. We love her characters born from her imagination, sometimes fantastic like the dragon, sometimes humorous, like this series of women driving colorful carts.