Discover basketry arts and crafts at the Wicker Art Centre

Dive into the fascinating world of wickerwork alongside Marie-Hélène Métézeau, Maître artisan d’art, whose expert fingers transform simple strands into veritable works of art. In her workshop in Villaines-les-Rochers, the historic birthplace of this excellent craft, let yourself be carried away by the magic of braiding and the secrets of an ancestral know-how. Discover a place where tradition and contemporary creation intertwine to give birth to exceptional pieces.

Meet a master craftswoman

Come through the door of the Centre d’Art autour de l’Osier, at 50 rue de la Galandière in Villaines-les-Rochers. In the garden, a few geese made of white osier greet you, the first creations that bear witness to the fine basketry of M Hélène Métézeau. This exceptional craftswoman, heir to eight generations of expertise, guides you through her workshop where raw osier is transformed into contemporary works.

Discover her unique world: the oseraie where precious boutures grow, the wickerwork painting gallery, and the matériauthèque revealing the secrets of plant fibres.

Guided tours at 11am and 3pm each day reveal the many facets of this ancient art form.

Practical info

Internships and training get started with basketry

Book your place at thediscovery workshops on offer during the school holidays at the Centre d’Art. Creative workshops lasting 2 to 3 hours await you, suitable for all levels, from age 3 upwards. Prices range from €12 to €55, depending on the formula chosen.

For a more in-depth immersion, opt for the full-day technical sessions, one Saturday a month from November to April. In a friendly atmosphere, you’ll make your first creation under the benevolent eye of M Hélène Métézeau.

Book your course

Enthusiasts can commit to professional training over several days. On the programme: ancestral techniques, contemporary innovations and personalised support. Contact the workshop directly to build your course.

Around the Wicker Art Centre

White wicker the noble material of the basket maker

Admire the immaculate whiteness of the wicker stems, carefully peeled by hand. This noble material reveals its splendour after patient preparation work: the stems are first boiled, then delicately peeled to obtain that characteristic light hue.

Watch its extraordinary suppleness, which enables craftsmen to create graceful curves and intricate interlacing. From the most refined baskets to contemporary sculptures, white wicker offers an infinite palette of creative possibilities.

Its silky texture and exceptional strength make it a favourite material for fine basketry. Let your fingers glide over its smooth surface, testimony to a thousand years of know-how perpetuated in the workshops of Villaines-les-Rochers.

The secrets of traditional weaving

Learn ancestral gestures from this Master craftswoman. Under her expert fingers, the strands intertwine with precision to form complex stitches: the openwork stitch, the corded fence, the nattier stitch. In her workshop, observe the dexterity required to weave sophisticated borders.

Capture the mysteries of basketry techniques passed down from generation to generation. From the meticulous gestures of the side stitch to the intricate interweaving of the fancy stitch, each method reveals the richness of this exceptional craft. Immerse yourself in learning the basic stitches which, mastered with patience, allow you to create unique works where tradition and modernity blend harmoniously.

In a nutshell about the Wicker Art Centre

M Hélène Métézeau, Master of Exception

Eight generations of expertise handed down from generation to generation in the Villaines workshop.

White wicker, a noble raw material

Hand-peeled to create refined works of art.

Courses for all levels

Creative workshops and professional training with personalised support.

Unique expertise in Villaines-les-Rochers

Wander through the narrow streets of this troglodyte village, where more than forty basket makers perpetuate their art. The workshops, nestled in the limestone rock, have provided ideal conditions for working with wicker since the 7th century. The silty soil of the Indre valley and the mild climate have made this the cradle of French basketry.

Visit the craftsmen of the Coopérative de Vannerie, founded in 1849, the first collective structure of its kind in France. In their workshops, contemplate the birth of contemporary creations alongside traditional pieces. From baskets to modern sculptures and designer furniture, their boundless creativity sublimates this ancestral material.