Provence Occitane is a region wherecrafts are an integral part of local life. From modelled clay to dried plants, every object and every creation bears the imprint of know-how that has been passed down, adapted and reinvented. Here, local raw materials are used with respect for theenvironment and natural rhythms. Whether it’s pottery, scented candles, herbal teas or santons, each creation reflects a part of this southern culture where the handmade gesture retains all its meaning.
A symbol of gentleness, conviviality and southern light, the handmade candle occupies a precious place in the know-how of Provence Occitane. Made from vegetable waxes (soy, rapeseed, etc.) and scented with natural essences from local plants – lavender, rosemary, honey, thyme – these candles reflect both nature and theolfactory identity of the region. They are hand-poured, sometimes tinted with natural pigments, and produced on a small-scale artisanal scale.
By visiting a local workshop, you can discover the world of handmade candles: measuring out the fragrances, pouring, cutting the wicks… All these stages are carried out with care by passionate craftsmen, who are keen to offer a product that is both aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and respectful of the environment. Each candle is unique, combining contemporary creativity with traditional know-how. It’s a simple yet meaningful object, to give as a gift or take home as a luminous fragment of Occitan Provence.
At Provence Occitane, herbal teas are much more than just a drink: they embody a strong link between nature, tradition and well-being. Made from local plants such as thyme, rosemary, mint and lavender, they are prepared using herbalist know-how handed down from generation to generation. The plants are harvested in a sustainable way, often by hand, respecting the natural cycles and biodiversity of the surrounding garrigues and hills .
Carefully sorted, dried and blended, these plants reveal their subtle flavours and soothing or digestive properties. At markets or local herbalists’ shops, you can meet the people who grow or harvest these herbs with passion, and benefit from their personalised advice. Offering or consuming a herbal tea from Provence Occitane means adopting a sustainable lifestyle, becoming rooted in local consumption, and taking a moment to reconnect with what’s essential, in a simple, fragrant cup.
Rooted in southern tradition, pottery is one of the emblematic skills of Occitan Provence. For centuries, ceramists have been using the local clay to create useful, long-lasting objects: dishes, bowls, jugs and jars, as well as decorative creations inspired by the natural shapes and colours of the South. Each piece is made by hand, using precise, repetitive gestures inherited from ancient techniques.
In the workshops, which are open to the public, you can watch the various stages of production: throwing, modelling, enamelling and high-temperature firing. These are also places where you can learn about the importance of materials, time and the right gesture. When you take part in an introductory workshop, you enter into this creative cycle yourself: a simple, enriching moment when the hand rediscovers direct contact with living matter. It’s a way of reconnecting with essential values, slowing down, and appreciating the object at its truest.
In Occitan Provence, santons are more than just decoration: they are the silent witnesses of a living heritage and a popular culture deeply rooted in everyday life in the south of France. Hand-modelled in clay, then meticulously painted, these traditional figurines embody old trades, rural scenes and familiar characters from the villages of yesteryear: the miller, the washerwoman, the baker, the shepherd…
The workshops of santonniers, often handed down from generation to generation, are real places of memory. When you visit them, you’ll witness the birth of a character, from the first modelling to the final brushstrokes. Each santon is a unique, carefully crafted piece, where theexpressions on the faces and the details of the clothes bear witness to a keen sense of observation and attachment to local traditions. These figurines tell the story of a timeless South, accessible to all, and perpetuate a form ofarts and crafts that is as moving as it is enduring. By collecting them or giving one as a gift, you’re helping to keep this popular memory alive, while promoting a precise and passionate craft.
Provence Occitane artisans work with natural materials and low-impact production techniques. By choosing their products, you are supporting a responsible economic model that values manual work, local creation and the preservation of traditional knowledge. This careful approach to tourism is fully in line with the region’s desire to offer an ethical and sustainable product range.
There are a number of ways to discover the handmade products of Provence Occitane. The region’s weekly markets are lively places, where you can meet the artisans directly, discuss their manufacturing techniques and leave with unique objects, often made in small batches. It’s a friendly, authentic way to support local know-how, while immersing yourself in the culture of the South of France.
To extend the experience or complete your discoveries, the Provence Occitane shop, available online or in our tourist reception areas, offers a selection of handcrafted creations from all over the region: pottery, candles, herbal teas, santons and much more. Every purchase contributes to the promotion of arts and crafts and the preservation of a living cultural heritage, in keeping with a sustainable, local economy.
31°C