Last Sunday was such a day -- and what a wonderful discovery it was! Not only seeing the old traditions kept alive and thriving, but discovering that it is the young people that are doing so.
One would have expected these old crafts and traditions to be practised by the older generation whilst the youth are out and about and enjoying their electronic gadgets and toys and pastimes. But no! Whether it is the art of felt making, basket weaving, imprinting cloth with leaves from the walnut tree or platting wheat, the average age of all the artisans I saw on Sunday demonstrating their amazing skills, could not have exceeded 30! And wherever there was a wrinkled old man or woman showing us how it their specific art or craft should be done, there was always a young'un close by watching and learning and trying it out. There is such a variety of arts and crafts to learn -- and ideal reason to rent a chateau -- come to Chateau Lalinde during the summer, and organise a superb activity holiday for yourself and the family!
And then, driving from beautiful Limeuil's hill top arts and crafts fair, to continue my day of discovery -- by visiting some of the many old mills in the Perigord, my surprise was even greater when I was welcomed by quite a few of the old mills by gorgeous young boys and girls who proudly demonstrated and explained the workings of a wind - or water mill to everyone who showed an interest. Some of these mills have been beautifully and meticulously restored, whilst others are in the process of - or waiting to be restored, and once again, it was not the older generation that shared their excitement with me, but the grand- and great grand children of the owners of the mills.
Contact details for excellent artisans - and lessons - in the Dordogne:
Basketry:
Abdre Pineau
24380 Lacropte
Tel: 0553 067252
Tiane et Marc Cattet
24380 St Mayme de Peyerol
Tel: 0553 045426
www.laclairiereauxpaniers.com
Daniel Breillat
85240 Nieul sur l'Autise
Tel: 0251524956
LESSONS available
Francois Desplanches
24380 Lacropte
0553 081522
f.desplanches@wanadoo.fr
Knitted Art, designs, clothing
Me-tissages
33640 Portets
Tel: 0556 675950
http://jetisse.googlepages.com
anne.tisse@club-internet.fr
Woven articles in natural home-spun and coloured wool
Hilary Hunter
24160 Excideuil
Tel: 81748904
Hat creations:
Brigitte Paillet
19560 Saint-Hilaire Peyroux
Tel: 0684124342
www.meschapeauxetmoi.com
www.le-clapotis.net
Annelie Petitqueux
32170 Aux Aussat
Tel: 0562 675315
annelie@annafibre.com
http://www.annafibre.com
LESSONS Available
Vegetable colouring and printing of fabrics
84360 Oauris
Tel: 0490084048
www.couleurgarance.com
LESSONS available
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Chateau Lalinde : The perfect venue for your event
