Trades and arts and crafts in Montauban

Créatelier, located at 1 rue Princesse, is opening its doors for the occasion. This exceptional boutique-workshop brings together the creations of around twenty local craftspeople, 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. The wrought ironwork is in dialogue with the contemporary jewellery, while the poetic illustrations and natural linen textiles embody the elegance of the handmade. An area dedicated to children 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 shop. It’s a lively place where craftspeople share their passion and know-how. The demonstrations and workshops organised during these days will allow you to delve into the manufacturing secrets of these passionate craftsmen, to understand their techniques and discover how their unique creations are created. Come and discover this emblematic site of Montalban craftsmanship, where tradition and contemporary creation meet in an eco-responsible approach.

Crossing the threshold of Napoléon Cutlery is like taking a trip back in time. This shop and workshop is a Montalban institution that has stood the test of time. Situated on the Place nationale, this emblematic cutlery shop is much more than just a shop, it’s a witness to 200 years of rich history, where tradition and expertise meet. At the head of this historic company, behind his wooden counter with the patina of years, Mr Bardet, a veritable living encyclopaedia, embodies passion and expertise. A renowned craftsman, he has preserved the soul of this establishment and perpetuates its ancestral know-how with a sparkle in his eye that never fails to light up 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 damask blade. His anecdotes, as sharp as his tools, transport visitors into a world where each object has a soul and a story to tell. Mr Bardet is there to tell it to you with passionate verve. The atmosphere at Napoleon Cutlery 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 an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and inspiring. 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 show you the secrets of knife-making and tell you some 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 boutique workshop bathed in light, Morgane brings to life unique creations where each thread tells a story. Between the looms and the modern touches, the Maison Poëtis is much more than just a workshop. It’s a place where creativity meets weaving expertise. Under Morgane’s expert fingers, the threads intertwine to give birth to precious pieces that combine tradition and contemporary design. This haven of creative peace comes alive every month with a variety of workshops. From weaving to flower arranging and sewing, everyone can try their hand at the creative arts in a friendly, caring atmosphere. It’s a programme designed to awaken the artistic spirit in everyone, whether you’re a novice or an expert. The JEMAs are 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 traditional weaving, and maybe even try your hand at learning this age-old art in this unique creative cocoon in Montauban.

Escale Céramique is a veritable temple to the art of ceramics. To coincide with the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, this unique venue invites you to discover the fascinating world of twelve local ceramists, each bringing their own unique signature to this age-old art form. In this gallery-shop, where the light plays with the glazes, each piece tells its own story. Delicate porcelain rubs shoulders with robust stoneware, while colourful earthenware converses with the spectacular effects of raku. Mixed earthenware and neriage create hypnotic patterns, testifying to the technical mastery of these passionate craftsmen. There is no mass production here: each object is a unique work, fashioned by expert hands. From bowls to sculptures, vases to decorative pieces, the diversity of the creations reflects the wealth of techniques and boundless imagination of these clay artists. During the JEMAs, Escale Céramique becomes a privileged place of exchange where the ceramists share their manufacturing secrets. It’s 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 of upholstery and decoration. At L’Atelier du Fauteuil in Montauban, you’ll enter a world where time stands still and antique furniture is restored to its former glory. For the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, this master upholsterer and 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 place where passion for the craft blends with creativity to give life to unique, timeless pieces In this workshop, where the scent of old wood and noble fabrics wafts, each armchair tells a story. Traditional tools sit alongside contemporary fabrics, creating a bridge between heritage and modernity. Under the expert fingers of the craftsman, tired seats are restored to their original comfort, while carefully selected fabrics give them a new lease of life. This is the work of a true goldsmith: the meticulous dismantling, the reworking of the 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 age-old techniques while adapting to contemporary requirements. Discover the secrets of this exceptional craft at JEMA. 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 arts and crafts, Juanita confection textiles 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 France is renowned. The new Juanita collection celebrates this authenticity through unique textile creations that blend traditional know-how with contemporary touches. From clothing to accessories, each item is designed to combine aesthetics and functionality, while showcasing quality fabrics. Let yourself be seduced by the colourful patterns and elegant cuts that will add a touch of originality to your wardrobe. Come and discover the intimate world of this passionate designer during the Journées des Métiers d’Art. It’s a chance to explore the secrets of handcrafted garments 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 career. During these days, this craftswoman with an atypical background will be opening the doors to her world, where technical expertise and artistic sensitivity come together. Estelle’s story with leatherwork is one of passion. From Art History to Fashion Arts and Crafts, via a valuable apprenticeship with a German master leatherworker, each stage 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 the leather with precision, giving birth to unique accessories and pieces in which the nobility of the material is fully expressed. From restoring saddlery to creating a made-to-measure bag, Estelle is passionate about sharing 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 is created, to observe the precise gestures that transform the material, and perhaps to dream about your future personalised creation where the colours and textures will harmonise according to your desires.

Immerse yourself in the colourful and creative world of the Les Ptit’s Biscuits workshop, a place where ceramics come to life under the strokes of a brush. Step through the door and Vanessa will welcome you in a warm and inspiring atmosphere. Here, every white room becomes a blank canvas, ready for your most colourful inspirations. In this space dedicated to creation, time seems to stand still as brushes dance across the matt surface of the ceramics. The colours mingle and intertwine, gradually transforming bowls, cups and plates into truly personalised works of art. Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, these sessions will allow you to explore your creativity while learning the basic techniques of this fascinating art. Personalise your own cup or plate, choosing the designs and colours that suit you. You’ll have the chance to meet the artist, who will be delighted to talk to you about her background, her inspirations and her passion for this craft. As part of the Journées des Métiers d’Art, come and enjoy a unique experience in which the age-old technique of painting on ceramics is revealed through demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Discover the secrets of glazes, the art of the brush and the magic of the firing process that forever fixes your creations in time.

L’Atelier de Charly is much more than just a violin shop. It’s a place where a passion for music meets 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 are restored to their former glory, 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 violin making, passionately shares the secrets of his craft. Whether it’s his favourite 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 the JEMAs, discover the mysteries of this exceptional craft, where precision of gesture meets musical sensitivity.