The wonder of wickerwork!

Général

Villaines-les-Rochers: the village and wicker

Villaines-les-Rochers? It’s no surprise if you haven’t heard of it before. There are only around 1000 people living in this little village. Its residents include a lot of artisan wickerworkers making a wide variety of items such as pretty wicker bird boxes:

Wicker is made from willow branches that are cut, soaked in water then peeled and braided! The Indre Valley’s silty and damp land, warm climate and myriad caves dug into the rock helped wickerwork thrive in Villaines-les-Rochers from the 7th century.

Wickerwork in Villaines-les-Rochers

Alongside making items specific to certain trades (baking, catering etc.), wickerworkers are brimming with ideas to showcase willow in all its glory. They’ve been working with Hermès for decades. For example, the cooperative made the “Kelly Picnic” and “Garden Picnic” bags for the luxury designer whereby the wonder of wicker is enhanced by leather and silk.

Wicker souvenir gifts made in Touraine

Artisan design

Either alone or together in cooperatives, wickerworkers put their skill, talent and passion into braiding baskets, bags, jewellery, lights, trunks, chairs, hampers, decorations and more. If you’re looking for an original gift for your friends and family then come this way.

The village’s Wicker and Basketry Museum gives you an insight into this exciting world along with an educational trail (5.2km/2 hours) and a bike path (21km/2 hours). Be sure to visit artisan shops too. Most of them provide workshops and classes alongside their creations.

Some addresses:

• Villaines-les-Rochers cooperative
• Plume et Brin d’Osier (Christine Vincent – Saché, near Villaines-les-Rochers)
• Vannerie Romand’Art (Catherine Romand)
• L’Osier de Gué Droit (Séverine and Patrick Boyer)
• Les paniers d’Hélène (Marie-Hélène Métezeau).