The key to arts and crafts in Périgord
Armed with your Map of arts and crafts, the Dordogne invites you to enjoy a wonderful journey to take in the expertise and skill in the workshops of the arts and crafts creators, which are as varied as the landscapes where they are based.
In Green Périgord, you can discover the leading cutlery industry which stemmed from the age-old Nontron knives, while the sculpturing of mushrooms in Brantôme will transport you to another world.
In Bussac, in White Périgord, you can discover the world of a cougourdonnier and his objects fashioned from calabashes growing in a neighbouring garden, which is also open to visitors.
In Purple Périgord, there’s ancient watch making in Montcaret or contemporary ceramics in Bergerac, while we can’t fail to mention the amazing work of the egg shell engraver based in Monpazier – one of the most beautiful bastide towns in the region.
And finishing with Black Périgord, in Saint-Amand-de-Coly, you can visit the metal worker who shapes copper and brass.
These are just a few examples of what’s available, but you can download the Map of arts and crafts here to see all crafts workers welcoming visitors.
>> Click to visit the website of the Dordogne Departmental Tourist Board.
>> Click to visit the website of crafts in Aquitaine
There is also an arts and crafts exhibition taking place at the Château de Nontron in Green Périgord. The Pôle expérimental des métiers d’arts (Pema to those in the know) works to uphold traditions at the same time as initiating and driving forward new projects.
On display until 31st December, its "Prestige" exhibition retraces 10 years of collaboration with artists. The exhibition is accompanied by several options of courses for you to try your hand at some of the arts and crafts.
(Photo credit : Bernard Dupuy)
