Wicker is an art! A history of ancestral know-how and contemporary creativity

In this unique village, the cradle of French basketry, craftsmen passionately transform this noble material into veritable works of art, from the most traditional to the most daring. Come and meet these masters of weaving who, in their sometimes troglodytic workshops, perpetuate a craft of excellence while constantly reinventing their art.

Welcome to the wicker capital of France

Just 6 km fromAzay-le-Rideau, discover the largest basket-making centre in France. Around forty basket-makers and twenty wicker-makers keep this authentic village alive, making it a veritable basket-making capital.

Visit the Musée de l’Osier et de la Vannerie to discover the secrets of this age-old craft, which transforms different varieties of willow into decorative objects and exceptional baskets. And extend your discovery by following an interpretation trail (5.2 km) that will guide you through the streets of the village. Looking for a gift? Push open the door of the Coopérative, which, like an Ali Baba’s cave, brings together many of the creations of the associated artisans.

Nearby, the Ateliers M Hélène Métézeau, Maître Artisan d’Art, also welcomes you all year round for a guided tour of wickerwork, with the option of booking a creative basketry workshop for adults and children at 11am and 3pm. The tour includes access to the basketmaker’s troglo workshop, the Matériauthèque and the Galerie du Centre d’Art autour de l’Osier. The shop is also open every day from 10am to 7pm. Admire the diversity of the works, from the most traditional to the most contemporary!

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♬ Following the Sun – SUPER-Hi & NEEKA

Learn more about The art of weaving

Book your place on a discovery course with the craftsmen of Villaines-les-Rochers. In their workshops, they will pass on some of their know-how and the ancestral techniques that transform flexible strands into unique creations. The courses are suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced techniques.

Let yourself be guided by passionate professionals who will share their secrets with you during personalised sessions. In just a few hours, you’ll master the basics of weaving and leave with your first creation. For a more in-depth experience, opt for courses lasting several days, where you’ll discover all the subtleties of this exceptional craft.

A lively town

Potters’ market, Pèlerie d’osier day, Oh la Villaines music festival, weekly Friday market, Christmas market… the streets of Villaines-les-Rochers come alive with events on a regular basis!

Around Villaines-les-Rochers

Meet the basket makers at work

Push open the door of the workshops where time seems to stand still. In these spaces, sometimes carved out of the tufa rock, watch the precise movements of the basket-makers as they bring the wicker to life. Watch their expert hands select the strands, dip them in warm water to soften them, then weave them together with fascinating dexterity.

Take the time to chat with these enthusiasts, who are happy to share their secrets. In the village of Villaines, each workshop has its own specific approach: some perpetuate ancestral techniques while others innovate with bold contemporary creations. The basket-makers will show you all the stages in the production process, from the choice of materials to the meticulous finishing touches that have made their art so famous.

Wicker in all its forms

From traditional baskets to contemporary sculptures, wicker reveals its remarkable versatility at Villaines-les-Rochers. Admire the bold creations of our craftsmen: designer furniture, poetic lighting and monumental art installations.

Wicker can also be found in your outdoor spaces, with living woven hedges and pergolas that change with the seasons. Basket-makers even create delicate jewellery and refined fashion accessories, proof that this natural fibre can be reinvented with elegance.

In the village gardens, discover the living wicker structures that create spectacular plant architecture, from flowering arches to enchanted huts. A local raw material that is transformed before your very eyes into sustainable, environmentally-friendly works of art.