ITINERARY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

DAY 1: BORDEAUX WINE, OUTSTANDING EXPERTISE

Throughout their history, Bordeaux winemakers have gained and honed their unique expertise. Join passionate winemakers to find out their secrets at a winery with an introduction to wine tasting and a blending class.

DAY 2: BASQUE COUNTRY, A LAND OF TRADITION

Learn all about espadrilles made in France in Mauléon for the last 150 years. Buy a béret in Oloron Sainte-Marie, Basque linen, cloth and tablecloths, a shepherd’s umbrella in Pau or a makhila, a traditional Basque walking stick made in Souraïde or Larressore. The Basque Country is full of mouth-watering treats with chocolate, Bayonne ham, AOP Ossau-Iraty cheese and some Espelette pepper to spice things up!

DAY 3: DORDOGNE VALLEY, AGE-OLD EXPERTISE

Nontron knives are the oldest in France and still made in Nontron. Visit workshops, the Pôle Expérimental des Métiers d’Art (Experimental Fine Arts Centre) and shop. The iconic Repetto pumps have been made in Exideuil for over 70 years and still set the benchmark in the world of dance (factory shop). Step into over 40 workshops on the Dordogne Fine Crafts Route.

DAY 4: LIMOGES, CREATIVE ART HOTSPOT

Limoges is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network for its craftsmanship and art (porcelain, enamel, stained glass).

Where to visit: porcelain factories (Ateliers Arquié, CRAFT), Musée National de la Porcelaine Adrien Dubouché, Four des Casseaux and Musée des Beaux-Arts with its incredible collection of enamels from the Middle Ages. It’s worth making a pitstop at the Weston factory shop to pick up luxury leather footwear made in Limoges since 1891.

nearby: Saint-Junien (30 min): stop at Ganterie Agnelle and its glove shop. The factory makes gloves for the biggest designers (Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Vuitton).

Aubusson (1.5 hr): feast your eyes on tapestry listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie. A visitor trail introduces you to this fascinating art form. The Aubusson workshops have made tapestries inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s world that you can see at the Cité!

DAY 5: COGNAC

Explore ageing cellars known as “paradis” and the secrets behind distillation on an hour-long tour, workshop or tailor-made experience at one of the cognac brands (Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, Camus, Château de Cognac – Otard etc.).

Unmissable: a trip to the Musée des Arts du Cognac deep in the old town.

DAY 6: ATLANTIC COAST WONDERS

Visit the Île de Ré salt marshes that make salt and fleur de sel. The crystals are gathered by hand, dried and sifted in summer to produce fleur de sel. It’s used to add the “final flourish” to any recipe.

The world is your oyster: visit farms and feast on oysters on Île de Ré, Île d’Oléron, Arcachon Bay and Hossegor Lake. Save room for oysters flavoured with ginger, shallot, muscat and even raspberry by So’ooh in Marennes.

Surfer style: the Basque and Landes coast is heaven for surfers in Europe and sells products and clothing by French brands. The pioneers in surfwear and snowboard gear are industry-leading Oxbow from Bordeaux and Sooruz from La Rochelle.