Art and Design Exhibitors

Villedieu-les-Poêles is blessed with a unique network of businesses in France that have specialized in the working of copper, lace-making,  bell-making and  design craftsmanship, for several centuries.

These businesses represented and continue to represent a major source of income for the town.  It is why, in 2006, the local community of Villedieu les Poêles was labelled "Pôle d’excellence Rural (PER)" (award of excellence).

The "Pôle d’Excellence Métiers d’art of Villedieu les Poêles follows 3 objectives :

1. Maintain and dynamise the existing businesses.
2. Put in place courses to learn the skills of the art of metalworking
3. Welcome new artisans to this noble art to increase and enrich the network of craftsmen to enable them to exchange professional ideas.

Actions in place :

• The creation of a window display of the "Métiers d’art" (craftsmanship) in the Tourist Office for the promotion of their skills.
• Creation of the "Foyer de Jeunes travailleurs" (organisation of young workers) of Villedieu (2008)
• Metalwork courses.
  
• Opening of an organisation for professional craftsmen (2008/2009)

Communauté de Communes of  Villedieu-les-Poêles, Pays de la Bay du Mont Saint Michel, Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Direction régionale du Commerce et de l’Artisanat, Conseil Régional de Basse Normandie, Conseil Général de la Manche, Société d’encouragement aux Métiers d’art, Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Centre et Sud Manche, Chambre de Métiers de la Manche.

To support and accompany the action of the Communauté de Communes (Parish council), the professional craftsmen have been regrouped into the Association Villedieu M.A.D.E.

Communauté de Communes de Villedieu les Poêles
Leader of the projet "Pôle d’Excellence Métiers d’art" : Valérie COUPEL
cdc.villedieu.vcoupel@orange.fr
6-8 ZA de la Sienne - 50800 Villedieu les Poêles
02 33 90 17 90 – 06 21 41 33 94