Baskets, osier, basketmakers in Villaines-les-Rochers (37)

The small peasant community of Villena (9^th century) became Villaines, then Villaines-les-Rochers in 1936. Wickerwork has been a major activity in this village since the 7^th century, along with farming.  The village became one of the most important centers of French basketmaking early on. In 1970, the Cooperative took over imparting the traditional skill to young people, and in less than twenty years, the cooperative and the village have welcomed over than seventy basketmakers.

Osier, which grows in alluvial soil, must be kept moist, and caves were used until financial
considerations led to the basketmaking coming “out of its hole.” The “troglo
workshops” were abandoned. And so we have the cooperative, which plies its
trade and markets its crafts above ground. The arts of yore are celebrated at
the annual “Journées découvertes de la pélerie” (Wickerwork Days) when
craftspeople do demonstrations. 
As we see, this activity has adapted to today’s circumstances and is going
strong.  And there is a happy
conjuncture between wickerwork and caves. The troglos are still there, ready
and waiting to be given a new lease on life.