Savoir-faire

Come and meet our craftsmen, for moments of discovery, sharing and emotion. A plunge into the world of the hand-made, where all subjects are in the spotlight. These craftsmen open their doors to you to share with you their love of their profession.

DAY 1 : Bordeaux wines, exceptional know-how!

For 2,000 years, the men and women of Bordeaux have been making exceptional wines. Throughout their history, they have acquired and optimized unique know-how, which they will be delighted to share. Discover the secrets of the passionate winegrowers’trade, learn about wine tasting, participate in an assembly workshop (see itinerary "Starting from Bordeaux" or "World famous vineyards" for more details).

DAY 2 : Biarritz - Pays Basque, a land of tradition

Discover the espadrilles made for 150 years in Mauléon. Buy a beret in Oloron Sainte-Marie, linen, canvases and tablecloths, an umbrella from the Pyrenees in Pau or the Makhila, a traditional Basque walking stick made in Souraide or Larressore.

DAY 3 : Dordogne Valley

The Nontron knife is the oldest knife in France and is still made in Nontron. Visit the workshops and the Experimental Centre for Art Professions (PEMA), which stages thematic exhibitions and workshops all year round. The famous Repetto ballet shoes have been made in Exideuil for over 70 years.

More than 40 art workshops invite you to cross their thresholds during your journey along the Dordogne’s “Route des Métiers d’Art de Dordogne”.

DAY 4 : Limoges, A cradle of the arts

Limoges is part of UNESCO’s network of Creative Cities in the categories of Ceramic Arts and Innovation (porcelain, enamel, stained glass).

• To visit: the porcelain factories (Bernardaud, Haviland, Royal Limoge), the Adrien Dubouché National Porcelain Museum, the Four des Casseaux, the Musée des Beaux Arts for its exceptional collection of medieval enamels. On the leather side, take a detour to the Weston factory outlet, luxury shoes made in Limoges since 1891.
• Nearby:
  • Saint-Junien (30 mins): visit the Agnelle glove factory, which makes gloves worn by Madonna and Beyoncé. 
  • Aubusson (1h30): visit the Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie to discover the fascinating world of tapestry art, registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

DAY 5 : Cognac

Discover the cellars and the ageing process, the “paradise” as well as the secrets of distillation during a 1-hour guided tour, a workshop or a tailor-made visit to one of the Cognac houses. Do not miss the visit of the Museum of Cognac Arts, in the centre of the old town (see itinerary "the Atlantic coast" or "Starting from La Rochelle" for more details).

DAY 6 : The wonders of the French Atlantic Coast

Visit the salt marshes on the Île de Ré, which produce salt and fleur de sel. During the summer, the crystals are hand picked, dried and sieved to harvest the fleur de sel. It is used as a “final touch” in all recipes. 

The coast, a small oyster paradise: you can visit its parks and enjoy them on the Île de Ré, Île d’Oléron, in the Arcachon Bay, and the Hossegor marine lake. Don’t forget the oysters flavoured with ginger, shallot, muscat or raspberries in Marennes, made by the company So’ooh.

New look surf clothes: The Bascoland coast, the cradle of surfing in Europe, is home to French-brand surf products and clothing. The pioneers of surfwear and snowboard clothing are Oxbow in Bordeaux, the most important in the sector, and Sooruz, in La Rochelle.