Carcassonne Country
In Carcassonne first of all, go through the Maison des Métiers d'Art de la Cité. Made available by the Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat de l'Aude, this space welcomes new artisans every 4 months. Meet potters, ceramists, leatherworkers, jewelry designers... who are in turn responsible for the animation and management of this space.
In Verzeille, meet Pia Amalvi in her leather workshop O'Nolan. She will surely know how to transmit her love of raw materials and know-how through her introductory or advanced courses in leatherwork known as "à l'ancienne".
In Brousse-et-Villaret this time, it is impossible to miss the Paper Mill! You will take part in an enriching guided tour of one of the last paper mills in Europe, whose production is known to be of a rare quality. Last but not least, make your own paper and leave with the sheets crafted with your own hands.
In Trèbes, the Chocolaterie-Confiserie Nougalet, opens the doors of its new production site for a total immersion in the art of making chocolate. You will learn everything (or almost everything) about chocolate making by visiting the 10 workshops (free or guided tour). The visit ends in the superb store to satisfy your irresistible craving for delicacies.
Still in Trèbes, the Domaine des Pères has chosen to specialize in a product that is both noble and common in the department: olives. It is possible to visit the oil mill and discover their products. Thier distinctive feature? Their cosmetics based on olive oil!
In Pennautier this time, meet the winemakers of Château Auzias. The winery opens its doors to let you discover the vineyard and the stages of wine creation. A tasting is also proposed as well as a blending workshop to create your own wine.
The Aude is also an exceptional truffle territory! In Villeneuve-Minervois, discover all the know-how of the truffle growers at the Truffle Museum of Occitania. With a surface of 300 m², the thematic rooms teach you in turn the techniques of culture, harvest, but also the history of the Black Diamond, its gastronomy, its management. In total immersion, in a playful and greedy way, you will know everything about the Aude tuber melanosporum.
Lauragais Country
It is impossible to talk about the Lauragais and Castelnaudary without mentionning pottery! And yes, what do you eat your cassoulet in? Here, it is eaten in the real and unique terracotta cassole... which gave its name to the emblematic Aude dish.
In Mas-Saintes-Puelles, near Castelnaudary, La Poterie Not regularly welcomes visitors. You will discover a workshop from another time where hands shape the product, where the kiln is two hundred years old and the traditions are passed on in the family. Many other pottery workshops are open to the public such as the Atelier de la Poterie in Castelnaudary itself, or the Poterie Ourliac in Les Brunels.
In Castelnaudary you can also discover the Atelier du Fer Forgé. Open to the public, it is also possible to participate in initiation courses.
Drive to Belpech to discover the workshop of master craftsman and cabinetmaker Pierre Armengaud. His creations: sublime wooden rugby balls. The quality of his work is famous all over the world. The big names in rugby have their own wooden ball, why not you? In any case, we advise you to at least make an appointment to discover the artist's workshop!
High Valley of the Aude
At the bend of the superb landscapes of the High Valley of the Aude, discover a unique know-how at the hat factory Montcapel in Montazels. You will learn the unsuspected story of the link between the High Valley and the manufacture of hats as well as the different stages of production. By the way, do you know how many steps it takes to create a felt hat? About fifty!You stand here in the last hat shop in France that knows how to make a felt hat, from the raw material (wool) to the finished hat. Montcapel opens its doors to the public for the greatest pleasure of its visitors. A palce not to be missed!
In Campagne-sur-Aude, near Montazels, Aïdée Bernard, a talented artist, opens the doors of her workshop. Through her numerous workshops, you will have the opportunity to discover the art of creating with paper. Lace paper, fibers, plant paper and vegetable dyes are all materials that you will have the opportunity to manipulate during your creation.
Country Corbières and Minervois
During your initiatory quests in these two areas full of nature, you will see the products coming from the earth are honored.
In Argeliers, Eléna Anton will welcome you to the Mas d'Antonin. She will make you discover and share the cultural heritage of the region as well as the treasures of her domain. In autumn the olive harvest and the grape harvest; in winter the search for the black diamond and the white aestivum truffle in summer... There's a harvest for each season!
In Cucugnan, the Maîtres de mon moulin, renowned bakers, will welcome you to share their passion during a "100% natural bread" course where old wheat is honored. You will use the mill, discover the real millstone flour and learn how to make tasty sourdough bread.
In Puichéric, David Liagre, master craftsman cabinetmaker, Meilleur ouvrier de France and his wife Emilie, furniture restorer and interior decorator with a Diploma of Arts and Crafts, option and furniture, open their workshop, Au sens du Bois. You will discover the immense extent of their talent.
In Luc-sur-Orbieu, it is the Fabre family who welcomes you to discover the unusual estate of Château de Luc. You will live a unique experience with tasting, visit the underground cellars dating from the 14th century, and then go "In search of the lost vintage" during a very original escape game.
In Lézignan-Corbières, you will admire the work of the forge. Boris Klein, master blacksmith, reveals all the secrets during courses in the workshop L'Art de Fer. From the understanding of the forge and the use of fire to the creation and production of a personal work, hammer and anvil will have no more secrets for you!
Côte du Midi
In the Narbonne region, crossroads of multiple civilizations, you will meet people with very different activities but whose passion for their art or their work goes hand in hand with the love of their land.
In Narbonne, this is the case of Zélie Pech, creator of the "Sellier Artisan d'Art" who, evolving since her childhood in the equestrian environment, has taken a passion for a noble material: leather. After her time at Hermès where she made the Birkin and Kelly bags, she now welcomes you to her Atelier Alek at the Château Ricardelle and shares with you the secrets of making art objects and accessories.
Also in Narbonne, you will fall for the gold jewelry creations of Carole Chiotasso, inspired by the Mediterranean and Roman times. The craftswoman invites you to discover her workshop: you can learn her techniques during a solo workshop with the designer and leave with your own unique piece of jewelry.
Still in Narbonne, Laurie David Studio, a ceramist, opens the doors of her store and her discovery workshop. The talented artist offers thematic initiations to help you discover the full range of possibilities that porcelain offers. The opportunity to design your own object in a trendy and refined style.
In Montredon-des-Corbières, Yousef Osmani, master chocolatier and confectioner, invites you to taste chocolates, sweets, nougatines... at Les Chocolatiers Cathares. A smart tip: visit the very instructive museum "L'épopée du Cacao", participate in workshops and leave with your creations!
In Bize-Minervois now, visit the mill of L'Oulibo, to discover the lucques, a famous olive and the educational tour "l'Odyssée de l'Olivier", on the king tree of the Mediterranean. The little ones will be enchanted by the treasure hunt "In pursuit of the Diamond" and you will have the possibility to make your own tapenades.
In Gruissan, head for the salt marsh where you can choose a walk on the salt tables, accompanied by a guide who will make you discover the culture of salt and the secrets of the pink lake of the Gruissan Salt Marsh. To combine fun with a guided tour, Trott'up offers a tour of the site on an all-terrain electric scooter.
In Armissan, Château Camplazens, located on the highest plateau of the Clape Massif, welcomes you for a visit of the cellar, the winery and tastings, to which can be added beautiful visits of the vineyards of the estate. In the evening or at lunchtime, wine and food pairings with family or friends are highly appreciated!
To go further
Of course, our selection is not exhaustive! The Aude region is full of artists and craftsmen, each one more talented than the other. We invite you to visit the Aude Tourisme website, section "Savoir faire des audois" (www.audetourisme.com) and the website of the Route des Métiers d'art d'Occitanie (www.metiersdart-occitanie.com) to learn more about the Aude know-how !
