QUARTIER DES ARTS

Touques is home to 4 ceramists' studios and 2 galleries. You'll have to venture behind Saint-Pierre church to discover this hidden face of the town and this district of the Arts that is the pride of an entire commune.

The discovery begins on the church forecourt with the Galerie des Créateurs, a boutique tastefully run by Mme Laborde. The objets d'art on display (vases, lights, decorations, tableware...) are suitable for all budgets and make great gift ideas. The themes of these creations, which have an undeniable soul and come directly from the workshops of French craftsmen and designers, change every 2 months. A world to discover from March to December (✆ 06 71 52 71 05 - www.creaculture.org).

Let's continue our tour behind the church to discover a tearoom in the former presbytery. Our favorite is L'Atelier Hanami (✆ 06 40 49 64 85 - atelierhanami.fr), which offers tea, coffee, local juices and pastries made with passion by Fanny or her pastry chef partner. Fanny also offers DIY workshops on flowers and candles.

In this unsuspected world off the main Touques road, we also meet Pierre, aka Peter Potter. In addition to his workshop in the former kitchen of the presbytery, where he regularly works in full view of the public, his store selling enamelled stoneware decorative objects is well worth a visit. If you've always dreamed of learning pottery, this Lisieux-born artist offers courses (✆ 07 77 79 37 77).

Another craftsman, another atmosphere at Tony Mauger who, in the former stables, deploys his unique and oh-so-Normandy know-how, the finial. We'll leave it to you to discover their "trade secrets" upstairs (✆ 06 09 03 04 60 - ceramistepotier.free.fr).

The tour continues with David Guzman, an art ceramist for 40 years, who is a member of Ateliers d'art de France. This creative space is an attractive showcase for his handmade work and his beautiful world. We fell in love with his real teapots. He offers advanced courses (✆ 06 66 31 82 82).

Finally, don't miss the feminine Tia Terra workshop, where ceramist Alix Thouvenot works and exhibits her creations. Tableware (we love the zebra mugs!), home decor and jewelry adorn the shelves. For the more creative among you, wheel-throwing and modeling classes are given here by the artist herself (✆ 06 63 44 67 99).