THE "TRAITS D'UNION" EUROPEAN ARTS AND CRAFTS DAYS

At 1 rue Princesse, Créatelier opens its doors for the occasion. This exceptional boutique-workshop brings together the creations of some twenty local artisans, united by their commitment to ethical and sustainable craftsmanship. In this showcase of creativity, each object tells its own story. Ceramics rub shoulders with meticulously crafted wooden sculptures. Metalwork dialogues with contemporary jewelry, while poetic illustrations and natural linen textiles embody the elegance of the handmade. A children’s area offers original, playful creations, while handmade soaps and subtly scented candles invite you to indulge in a moment of well-being. But Créatelier is much more than just a boutique. It’s a lively place where artisans share their passion and know-how. The demonstrations and workshops organized during these days will enable you to delve into the manufacturing secrets of these passionate craftsmen, to understand their techniques and discover how their unique creations are born. Come and discover this emblematic site of Montalban craftsmanship, where tradition and contemporary creation meet in an eco-responsible approach.

To cross the threshold of Napoleon Cutlery is to take a trip back in time. This boutique-workshop is a Montalban institution that has stood the test of time. Located on the Place nationale, this emblematic cutlery store is much more than a simple store, it is the witness to a rich 200-year history, where tradition and know-how meet. At the head of this historic company, behind his wooden counter with its patina of age, Monsieur Bardet, a veritable living encyclopedia, embodies passion and expertise. A renowned craftsman, he has preserved the soul of this establishment and perpetuates ancestral know-how with a sparkle in his eye that never fails to illuminate visitors. With his lilting accent and infectious enthusiasm, he shares with visitors his love for knives, which he considers to be veritable works of art. His eyes sparkle when he recalls the history of an antique knife or details the subtleties of a damascened blade. His anecdotes, as sharp as his tools, transport visitors into a world where every object has a soul and a story to tell. Mr. Bardet is there to tell it with passionate verve. The atmosphere at Coutellerie Napoléon is unique. As you cross the threshold of this shop, you are transported into another world where time seems to have stood still. The walls are adorned with old souvenirs and exceptional knives, creating a nostalgic yet inspiring atmosphere. For the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, this extraordinary craftsman is opening the doors to his fascinating world. Don’t hesitate to talk to Monsieur Bardet, who will be delighted to reveal the secrets of knife-making and tell you fascinating anecdotes about the history of cutlery and the Place Nationale.

Push open the door of Maison Poëtis during the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art and let yourself be enchanted by this inspiring space where the art of weaving is reinvented. In this light-filled boutique workshop, Morgane brings to life unique creations where each thread tells a story. Between the looms and the modern touches, Maison Poëtis is much more than just a workshop. It’s a place where creativity meets weaving expertise. Under Morgane’s expert fingers, threads intertwine to give birth to precious pieces that combine tradition and contemporary design. This creative haven comes alive every month with a variety of workshops. From weaving to flower arranging and sewing, everyone can learn the creative arts in a friendly, caring atmosphere. It’s a program designed to awaken the artistic side of every participant, whether novice or initiated. JEMA is the perfect opportunity to discover this poetic universe, where each creation is an invitation to a sensory voyage. Come and observe the precise gestures of artisan weaving, and perhaps be tempted to learn this age-old art in Montauban’s unique creative cocoon.

Escale Céramique is a veritable temple to the art of ceramics. On the occasion of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, this unique venue invites you to discover the fascinating world of twelve local ceramists, each bringing his or her own unique signature to this age-old art form. In this gallery-shop, where light plays with glazes, each piece tells its own story. Delicate porcelain rubs shoulders with robust stoneware, while colorful earthenware dialogues with the spectacular effects of raku. Mixed earths and neriage create hypnotic patterns, testifying to the technical mastery of these passionate craftsmen. There’s no mass production here: each object is a unique work of art, fashioned by expert hands. From bowls to sculptures, vases to decorative pieces, the diversity of creations reflects the wealth of techniques and boundless imagination of these clay artists. During JEMA, Escale Céramique becomes a privileged place of exchange where ceramists share their manufacturing secrets. A rare opportunity to understand the subtleties of each technique, to observe the transformation of clay into art, and perhaps to find the unique piece that will give your home a soul.

L’Atelier du Fauteuil : When Heritage Comes Back to Life Dive into the fascinating world of L’Atelier du Fauteuil, a veritable temple to upholstery and decoration. L’Atelier du Fauteuil in Montauban is a place where time stands still and antique furniture is restored to its former glory. For the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, this master upholsterer-decorator invites you to discover the delicate art of chair restoration. This workshop is much more than just a place to work; it’s a space where passion for the craft blends with creativity to give life to unique, timeless pieces In this workshop, where the scent of ancient wood and noble fabrics wafts, each armchair tells a story. Traditional tools rub shoulders with contemporary fabrics, creating a bridge between heritage and modernity. Under the craftsman’s expert fingers, tired seats are restored to their original comfort, while carefully selected fabrics give them a new lease of life. It’s a veritable goldsmith’s art here: the meticulous dismantling, the reworking of wooden structures, the meticulous fitting of straps and springs, the upholstering in vegetable or animal hair, right through to the final choice of fabrics to cover the seat. Each stage respects ancestral techniques while adapting to contemporary requirements. At JEMA, discover the secrets of this exceptional craft. See how an armchair is restored to its former glory, or how a contemporary sofa is transformed before your very eyes.

At the heart of local craftsmanship, Juanita confection textile tells a deeply personal story. The brand, named after the mother of its creator, embodies a family heritage and a passion handed down through the generations. After delighting customers with her “Picoti Picota” boutique, the craftswoman is now returning to her creative roots under a new identity that reflects her own personality. In her workshop, each piece is crafted with love and care, perpetuating the handmade tradition for which French crafts are renowned. The new Juanita collection celebrates this authenticity through unique textile creations that blend traditional know-how with contemporary touches. From garments to accessories, each item is designed to combine aesthetics and functionality, while showcasing quality fabrics. Let yourself be seduced by colorful patterns and elegant cuts that will add a touch of originality to your wardrobe. On the occasion of the Journées des Métiers d’Art, come and discover the intimate world of this passionate designer. This encounter will allow you to explore the secrets of artisanal confection and understand how these unique pieces are created, from the first pencil stroke to the last stitch.

In her Montalban workshop, Estelle Cassani brings leather to life with a passion inherited from her unique background. During these days, this craftswoman with an atypical career path opens the doors to her world, where technical expertise and artistic sensitivity come together. Estelle’s history with leatherwork is that of a passionate journey. From Art History to Arts et Métiers de la Mode, via a valuable apprenticeship with a German master leatherworker, each step of her journey has enriched her vision of the craft. Her experience in saddlery and upholstery completes the rare expertise that makes her creations so unique. In her workshop, each piece is an encounter between tradition and contemporary creation. Her expert hands shape leather with precision, giving birth to unique accessories and pieces in which the nobility of the material is fully expressed. From saddlery restoration to the creation of a bespoke bag, Estelle passionately shares her love of her craft. For JEMA, this craftswoman invites you to discover the subtle alchemy at play in her workshop. It’s an opportunity to understand how a leather piece comes into being, to observe the precise gestures that transform the material, and perhaps to dream of your future personalized creation where colors and textures will harmonize according to your desires.

Immerse yourself in the colorful, creative world of Les Ptit’s Biscuits workshop, a place where ceramics come to life under the strokes of a brush. Step through the door and Vanessa welcomes you into a warm and inspiring atmosphere. Here, every white room becomes a blank canvas for your most colorful inspirations. In this space dedicated to creation, time seems suspended as brushes dance across the matte surface of the ceramics. Colors mingle and intertwine, gradually transforming bowls, cups and plates into personalized works of art. Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, these sessions will enable you to explore your creativity while learning the basic techniques of this fascinating art form. Personalize your own cup or plate, choosing the patterns and colors that suit you. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the artist, who will be delighted to talk to you about her background, inspirations and passion for this craft. On the occasion of the Journées des Métiers d’Art, come and enjoy a unique experience where the ancestral technique of painting on ceramics is revealed through demonstrations and participatory workshops. Discover the secrets of glazes, the art of the brush and the magic of firing, which fixes your creations forever in time.

L’Atelier de Charly is much more than just a violin shop. It’s a place where passion for music blends with excellence in craftsmanship. For the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, bluesman-turned-master luthier Charly Roulleau invites you into his world, where guitars are reborn under his expert hands. In this workshop, fragrant with precious wood and varnish, each instrument tells its own story. Guitars in the making reveal their innards: here a neck being carved, there a body awaiting its final coat of finish. It’s a veritable “guitar hospital”, where tired instruments find their former voice, and unique creations are born under the watchful eye of Nuggets, the workshop’s faithful Corgi mascot. Charly, an unconditional Jimi Hendrix fan who swapped his history studies for the art of lutherie, passionately shares the secrets of his craft. Whether it’s his signature Telecaster, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s heyday, or a custom-made Jazz Bass, each creation is the fruit of meticulous attention to the smallest detail: from the choice of African mahogany to the meticulous carving of the bridge. For JEMA, discover the mysteries of this exceptional craft, where precision of gesture meets musical sensitivity.