Guardians of Provençal or Alpine know-how, many of the craftsmen and women of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur devote their lives to the production of objects according to the oldest methods. They express themselves through a multitude of techniques and a wide variety of materials: fabrics, wood, clay, stone or even iron. Some objects have achieved international renown: the pottery of Moustiers, the "santons" (Christmas crib figurines) of Aubagne, Provence fabrics... Come and discover their talent. Pottery, Earthenware and Tiles
Clay is of an exceptional quality in Provence. Thus for centuries craftsmen have been producing, notably in Aubagne - the home of the clay industry - plates, pitchers, dishes, jugs... (collectively known as "terrailles") The simple technique has been handed down by potters from time immemorial: a block of clay is soaked and modelled or moulded, then decorated, fired and refired.
Since the 18th Century Apt has been a leading name in earthenware, fine pottery, tiles and ochre. Creations that draw enthusiasts by the crowd are those legendary works in which red, yellow, green and white clay mingle together to remind one of the veins of marble.
Today in Salerne, where the famous "tomettes" used to be made to cover the floors of houses, they make enamelled tiles. Finally, the two large pottery towns are Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Marseilles. In the 18th Century there were already ten factories in Marseilles exporting to South America. And if Marseilles was the cradle of large-scale pottery firing, Moustiers still remains the most famous centre, symbolized by its blue cameos set against white backgrounds.
© CRT PACA / M. Raynaud
Wooden Furniture and Toys
Wooden furniture from Provence is characterized by its slender forms, its curves, its abundance in floral motifs and its sheen. Originally its function was utilitarian: for kneading machines, chairs, tiered sideboards, marriage wardrobes decorated with interlaced hearts, corn cob motifs and doves.
The region of Queyras has also developed a solid reputation. Queyrassin furniture, shaped from coniferous wood, reveal lines that are straighter and more geometrical, decorated with rosettes, lattice work or religious mottos. Made in the eight villages of Queyras, they are today honoured by a branded quality label which makes it possible to tell a genuine work from a forgery.
Alongside the furniture, the production of toys in Queyras is being given a new lease of life. Every year new models are created. Since 1920, they have been made by the co-operative "L'Alpin chez lui".
Sundials Genuine works of art created long ago for telling the time, sundials did not withstand the birth of the mechanical clock.
Today, in the Hautes-Alpes, people no longer look at them to know the time of day, but to appreciate and admire them... 400 of them have survived, 150 of which are antique and all of them different, blending a subtle mixture of colours with floral or animal motifs.
This département has the richest heritage in Europe in this field. There are also many of them in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, especially in the Ubaye Valley.
Provencal Fabrics
Known as the "Indians", fabrics from Provence whose shimmering colours have charmed the whole world originate from a tradition imported from India in the 18th Century. Dresses, petticoats, shawls, shirts, table cloths and "boutis" (hand-sown bedspreads); all the secrets of these printed fabrics can be discovered from Orange to Tarascon.
Thanks to his haute couture collections, Christian Lacroix, a southerner par excellence, has come to represent all the sensuality and richness to be found in Provencal fabrics.
Souléido, founded by Charles Demery also contributed largely to helping them become internationally famous. His unique heritage of over 40,000 authentic plate designs created two centuries ago offer an unlimited source of original patterns.