Art of trimmings: The artisans who supplied French and Monaco royals Only one firm specialising in the ancient craft operates in France. Its owners describe the challenges that their business is facing in contemporary times.
Mimosas blossom in south of France as season begins The bright, highly-scented trees bloom from January until the end of March, and are prized in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var for everything from perfume to candles to chocolate
A brief history of French time and ‘timekeepers’ Which French city was home to the earliest mechanical clock? Who was Jean-André Lepaute? We delve into France's history of 'timekeepers'
practical France lockdown: Can artisans continue to buy materials? There are over 1 million artisanal business in France, with the majority in the building trade
Meet the shamanic (spiritual) drum maker in Dorodgne Only five percussion makers exist in the entire country, according to the Institut National des Métiers d’Art, and Louisa Vinciarelli thinks she is the only one who makes her instruments from scratch
Rules for providing a quotation, or 'devis' for work in France Providing a quote for services or work is obligatory by law for businesses in certain cases. We explain
‘I am still captivated by the magic of my stained glass windows work’ The world of restoring stained glass windows is still a masculine one, but this did not stop Audrey Rogers from becoming a Maître Verrier, despite being told several times she was too small and would never succeed
Artisan soap maker: 'After six years, it still gives me a thrill’ Anne Handel is one of around a hundred artisanal soap makers in France. She talks about her craft, which she gets a great deal of pleasure from
‘Why artisans in France should vote in Chambre de Métiers elections’ A business owner in the south-west says that your local CMA organisation can make a significant - and positive - difference to your working life
'We are proud to continue the craft of traditional straw brooms' Marie-Laure and Arnaud Gabriel from Normandy have revived a dying craft, and become one of only two makers of traditional straw brooms in France
Should France allow bread to be sold seven days a week? A bakery union is the latest group to fight a 100-year French law that bans the sale of bread seven days a week - but not all bakers are in favour
Meet Paris' last artisanal mattress maker Patrice Sébille runs the only 'atelier' of its kind left in Paris. He stepped in to save an ancient skill, but is finding it tough to keep going
France’s last chess piece maker saved by Netflix show and lockdown Thanks to people playing chess during the Covid lockdowns and Netflix hit 'The Queen's Gambit', Tournerie Roz is once again making chess pieces
Meet the organ maker whose projects contain up to 500,000 parts Etienne Fouss built his first organ at 24 and is one of around 40 makers in France who make instruments from start to finish Meet the bell makers of France continuing 300 years of craft Amazing ‘pocket art’ animals made from seeds and leaves Laguiole knife makers seek trademark to fight counterfeits
Meet France's fifth generation female blacksmith Her great-grandfather started in 1882 and today Caroline Delareux works at the same forge in St Jean de la Motte, Sarthe Stocking Christmas markets’ stalls is a year-round business British artist to exhibit at major Auvergne art festival French crafts in focus: clock and lock-maker Craftspeople in France: Maroquinier/Leather craftsman Craftspeople in France: Cabinetmaker/Carpenter
British designer behind south of France fashion empire Beverly Smart moved from London to Lagrasse 31 years ago but it was her need to make money that started a successful business, she tells The Connexion
Fight to save Normandy lace school A British woman has stepped in to try to save Bayeux’s only lace school from closing due to lack of funds.
Group calls for “1,000 village cafés” to revive France A social and environmental enterprise is calling on 32,000 communes across France to create or re-open 1,000 rural “village cafés”, in a bid to revive the sense of community in small towns.
Bright future for 239-year-old French pastels firm Karine Loiseau , owner of France’s oldest dry pastel-making company explains what goes into making the paint sticks by hand in 2019
How a mason climbed his way to career carved in stone Christophe Allegri has worked with stone for 30 years after discovering his interest in architecture during student antics climbing on scaffolding, pipes and church guttering
Handcrafted bicycles enjoy renaissance as works of art Some of the bicycles in this month’s Tour de France are likely to have been hand-built by a frame-builder, a cadreur in French.
86-year-old is France’s artisan winner A woman who took up embroidery at the age of 80 has won a best craftswoman of France award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France ).
Modern apprenticeship from the Middle Ages One way to join the best trained and most respected craftsmen and women in France is to sign up with Les Compagnons du Devoir, an organisation which has passed on skills from generation to generation since the Middle Ages.
How romantic movie inspired successful brolly business Jane Hanks discovers the myriad possibilities presented by a quality, handmade parapluie from a man whose father was inspired to start making umbrellas by a well-known Sixties French musical
Chef who taught France to love cupcakes Celebrity pastry chef Chloé Saada did not set out to make her living in the culinary world, she tells Jane Hanks
French bakers accused in court for working too much Two bakers from Calvados (Normandy) have been summoned before their local courts, accused of illegally selling bread through their bakery seven days per week.
Are non-RGE workers not legally registered? I have been advised to only use renovation professionals who are ‘RGE’ registered – does this mean other workers are not legally registered? T.B.
‘Each window is a creation’ Jane Hanks meets a window dresser whose job is to tempt you into shops this festive season
Kiwis taught me my passion for cheese October is a great time to eat fresh goats’ cheese (as well as spring) and cheese expert Thomas Métin, who discovered his love for French cheese in New Zealand, passes on some tips... such as why you should not keep cheese on the fridge top shelf
French baguettes could soon be protected by Unesco Baguettes could soon be recognised as an official part of France’s cultural heritage by Unesco, as a bakery group plans to present its case.
60 weavers left in once textile-rich France Crafts in focus: Life as a tisserand or weaver is ideal for some but it has drawbacks and now only a few are left
Meet Cyril Genet: a French silk-maker from Lyon Jane Hanks talks to Lyon silk-maker Cyril Genet about the city’s heritage in the print industry and the skills required to make luxury goods
Methodical manner needed to restore stained-glass art Crafts in Focus: Delicacy, intricacy and a love of nature are key to the work of a stained-glass window restorer
Bronze casters show mettle in physically tough craft CRAFTS IN FOCUS: Strength and artistic sensibility are prerequisites for any fondeur d’art
What can I do if a firm has cheated me? What can you do if a firm has cheated and deceived you? I have had a lot of problems with a firm of artisans I employed to lay tiles. M.C.
Almost-forgotten skills live on in France European artistic crafts days will feature 8,500 events across France
Crafts in focus: artificial flowers Delicacy, intricacy and a love of nature are key to the work of a fabricant de fleurs artificielles
Crafts in focus: walking sticks Making walking sticks also means hiking poles and sword sticks for the fabricant de cannes
Trade has only 10 artisans left Le maître âtrier ... a rare French craft that has no direct English translation
Changes that might affect you from April 1 A raft of changes to rules and regulations, from tradesmen to food labelling, come into force