Visit the house of the painter August Renoir, who lived at Essoyes near Bar-sur-Seine.
Cristalleries Royales de Champagne in Bayel is where handmade tableware and ‘objets d’arts’ are crafted. Bayel offers guided tours of the royal Champagne crystal and glass works throughout the year . The ovens on these premises have never stopped burning since 1666, thereby perpetuating the glass blowing art over the centuries. www.bayel-cristal.com
The cutlery industry is based in Nogent-en-Bassigny, its manufacture dating back to the 18th Century. www.tourisme-hautemarne.com
The textile industry is a stalwart of Troyes with over 250 brands available. It replaced glassmaking as the principal industry of the town. www.mcarthurglen.fr - www.marquesavenue.com - www.marquescity.com
Felt comes from the Ardennes where its manufacture began in the 19th Century in the tiny village of Mouzon. www.ardennes.fr
Artifical flowers are made in Orges, especially for hat decoration, for the Haute-Couture industry and for bridal purposes. www.artamin.fr
Basket weaving and cane work were brought to the region in the 17th Century, centering on the village of Fayl-Billot where there are now 600 basket weavers and 500 hectares of canes. The only school in France dedicated to teaching basket-weaving skills is situated here.www.tourisme-hautemarne.com
The slate industry was of economic importance from the 18th Century, with the largest deposits found at Rimogne. The seams were finally closed in 1971, but the local slate museum has a collection that evokes the significance of the industry during the last two centuries. www.ardennes.fr
The Vine Museum is set in a lighthouse in the middle of the vineyards at Verzenay. It was built by a local wine merchant to advertise his products.