It's all happening in our workshops!
They also shape our region, its history, its know-how and its uniqueness. They are our craftsmen and artisans. Many of them have decided to set up here, in the Pays d'Ancenis, an area that inspires them and reveals their creativity. A visit to our region will inevitably lead you to theirs!
Our talented craftsmen in the Pays d'Ancenis
The Pays d'Ancenis boasts more than 70 excellent craftspeople! Stone carving, woodwork, furniture restoration, clay modelling... These are just some of the techniques they have mastered over the years, and which they pass on to the curious. Meet three of them, self-taught artists with golden hands!
Marion HEIJNIS, jeweller in Oudon
Winner of the Trophée des Mains d'Or in 2024 in the 44 department
For many years, Marion Heijnis has distinguished herself in the art of jewellery design, a world in which her work is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. Initially, she devoted herself to the meticulous assembly of pearls, wire and metal, constantly refining her techniques.
Curious and passionate about materials, she then broadened her palette by exploring wood, bone, fabric, earthenware and many other materials. True to her attachment to authentic elements, she prefers natural materials, which she fashions with a unique sensitivity, rather than resorting to synthetic materials.
You can see all her work on her website: deboucleaoreille.fr
Marie DE BOISSIEU, Wedding dress designer in Ancenis
Métier d'Art winner of the Trophées de l'Excellence Artisanale in 2023 Pays de la Loire
Marie de Boissieu is a talented designer of eco-friendly wedding dresses based in Ancenis. She has created her Chrysalide collection, a unique, modular range designed to suit every taste.
This revolutionary collection offers a refined selection of tops and bottoms (skirts or trousers) to create a made-to-measure wedding dress to suit every style and personality.
Thanks to an ingenious and innovative system, it is easy to mix and match the different elements, creating unique, evolving outfits that can be enjoyed throughout the wedding day.
You can see her creations on her website: mariedeboissieu.fr
Marie and Cindy, responsible soap-makers in Oudon
A shop to delight the sense of smell! Since its creation, Marie has developed her own recipes and makes her 20,000 soaps and solid cosmetics herself, without packaging or preservatives.
The soap-maker works with local producers to source her ingredients. The aromatic plants come from the Plantis farm in Le Cellier, the goat's milk from Le Marillais, the spices from the "des épices à ma guise" shop in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon...
In 2020, Cindy joined the adventure for quality control, marketing and product development. The soap-makers are keen to pass on their knowledge, offering soap, toothpaste and deodorant-making workshops for adults and children every Saturday.
A house just for designers
A handful of craftspeople, members of the Terres de créations association, have set up shop in the Maison des créateurs. This workshop-boutique is home to Marion, a jewellery designer, Luca and Simona, framers, Kevin, a glassmaker and Clémence, an illustrator.
The Maison's five permanent artisans exhibit and work on site, each for their own particular reasons. "I don't have enough space at home to set up my equipment," says Kévin. "I don't have enough visibility in my workshop", says Marion. Every month, a temporary artisan is invited to share the premises.
It's an invaluable showcase for these creators and restorers of art with their surprising trades, and also a way of exchanging ideas, helping and inspiring each other. La Maison also organises creative workshops to immerse you in the world of arts and crafts. The doors of the Maison des Créateurs are regularly open to help you find an original gift idea or discover new skills.
The shops and workshops of our craftsmen
They are based in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon, Loireauxence, Oudon and Ingrandes-Le-Fresne-sur-Loire. .. They work with leather and textiles. When they're open for business, you'll find them selling their creations in the pretty stalls of the Ancenis region. Some even offer workshops where they pass on their skills with great taste (and give you some great ideas for unique, handmade gifts!).
In the Pays d'Ancenis, we're in collective mode, that's our way of doing things! Cultivons les Cailloux in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon, Dream K in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon, L'imaginarium in Ingrandes-Le-Fresne-sur-Loire... they are 3 collectives of craftsmen and creators, brought together to show the diversity of craftsmen and represent the skills we have in the region.
