South of France: the artisanes shaping the character of Provence
8 locations
From the foothills of the Pyrenees to the breezy shores of the Côte d'Azur, the South of France is more than just a postcard-perfect escape: it is a vibrant world of tradition, colour and craft. This sunny itinerary takes you from Perpignan to Antibes, with inspiring stops in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, where craftswomen are keeping Provençal heritage alive. Along the way, visit workshops filled with hand-thrown ceramics, fragrant lavender creations, and woven textiles boasting Mediterranean hues. These makers share more than just their craft: they invite you into their story. Come for the sun and the lavender fields, stay for the savoir-faire, and leave with a piece of Southern soul. Whether you are a curious traveller or a true craft lover, this route will leave you feeling like a local: bronzed, inspired, and utterly enchanted.
Based in Perpignan, Muriel Persil started her craft career as a painter before switching to ceramics, letting her imagination take the lead. Influenced by romanticism, she explores themes of beauty, death, methamorphosis and the ephemeral.
Inspired by nature, history and the use of local raw materials, Helen Green creates wonders in her Montpellier workshop. Shaping sculptural and sensual forms, often functional, she actively participates in local production.
Amandine Camp will introduce you to the profession of a book restoration, a fading craft that remain relevant, especially in a country with such a rich literary history. From diagnosis to treatment, participants will gain an overview of each step in the restoration process.
17 Bis Boulevard Jean Mermoz, 84000, Avignon, France
Specialising in the creation of lavender spindles, an ancestral Provençal technique, Elsa Lenthal celebrates her region by perpetuating traditions and using local materials. She represents the land of lavender and shares the Provençal way of life.
Nell Beale creates classic furniture with a twist: colours and patterns are her signature, bringing her pieces to life with vibrant hues. She employs a range of techniques, from painting to sgraffito. Originally from the UK, she now brings her pieces to life in her Aix-en-Provence workshop.
29 Chemin de Malouesse, 13080, Aix-en-Provence, France
Mastering pleating techniques, Harumi Sugiura gives fabric a third dimension, using natural dyes to colour them in her Marseille workshop. Considered both a pleater and a natural dyer, she combines these two techniques, using natural fabrics and dyes with a conscious approach.
Meet Kim Anh Le Thi, a basketweaver inspired by her fashion background, who experience with tradtional basketry, using natural materials in innovative combinations.
Based in Antibes, Muriel Lovo is a ceramicist who developed her own technique: weaving porcelain threads to transform clay into lace-like structures. The result? Creations that blur the line between ceramics and weaving.
1356 chemin de Saint Maymes, 6600, Antibes, France
