The tiles of Salernes
The Var has always been "the land of clay" and the first pottery appeared in the Neolithic period, 8000 years ago. For a long time, they were shaped by hand from a lump of clay, then shaped on a wheel, introduced by the Romans, a wooden platform operated by a rudimentary transmission triggered by a foot action. Salernes deserves today the title of "tile capital". Built on an immense clayey marl, the city finds on the spot the raw material necessary to its industry. From the simple hexagonal red tile that equips the floors of most houses in the South to the most sophisticated tiles, mosaics and garlands, landscapes and festoons, artists give free rein to their inspiration. The tiles of Salernes, famous throughout the world, are exported all over the planet.
The earthenware factory of Varages
The village of Varages is located on an important deposit of pottery clay. Since the 17th century, the production of earthenware has been perpetuated. Some of today's artisans bring different styles with more contemporary motifs; others, on the contrary, strive to preserve a more traditional style. Today, the village boasts three earthenware workshops, an earthenware museum, and a very well-stocked colorful factory.
The carpets of Cogolin
Handmade carpets, high wool carpets, these works of textile fibers have made the reputation of this small town, where the factory, created in 1924, perpetuates the tradition of French art crafts. It imagines new styles from original cartons, but also develops an activity of restoration of old carpets.
The Tropeziennes
The fashion for sandals with leather soles and tops has been in Saint-Tropez since the 1920s! Today, the success continues thanks to the Rondini workshop which continues to manufacture "Tropezian sandals" and to K. Jacques who designs "Tropezian spartan shoes".
The Santons of the Valley
The origin of these small clay statuettes is lost in the mists of time. They are still very popular with tourists, as they contain a little of the soul of Provence. One finds there the small trades of the pastoral which the naive popular imagination placed in the crib all around the Jesus child.
Turned and carved objects made of olive wood
With its shades of light blond wood streaked with dark veins, olive wood is naturally decorative. Numerous craftsmen and village artists, with gouge or polisher in hand, make superb objects from the gnarled trunks - pots, salad bowls, handles, goblets - or decorative objects - statuettes, trinkets.
