Les Créateurs du Coin, when art comes together in Bergerac

Listening to their testimonials, it’s easy to see the passion that drives them and brings them together at this atypical address in Bergerac town center, 2-4 Grand Rue. A space they imagined 5 years ago as a place to exchange, promote and enhance regional crafts. “We launched this concept of an associative boutique ‘Les Créateurs du Coin’ in 2020,” introduces Delphine Vanhooren, one of the founders. Initially, we had 9 permanent craftspeople. Today, the association includes 13 craftspeople, five of whom are permanent members.”

Julie, Delphine, Marie-Aude, Marie and Caroline have been happily sharing this collective adventure from the outset, just a stone’s throw from the church of Saint-Jacques, which they can contemplate every day from one of the windows of their luminous corner store. Driven by the same passion: working with materials. Leather goods, ceramics, metal sculptures, jewelry, lighting, soaps & candles, textiles, syrups & plants… Each is an expert in her own field, and takes great pleasure in imagining, shaping and crafting… We also tell the story of the painstaking manufacturing process that, with time and talent, leads to the creation of a work of art.

Inside the store, each space reflects an identity, a universe and highlights original creations, the fruit of manual know-how. Here, craftsmanship occupies the space and takes on its full meaning through unique works. Like so many different signatures that these local craftsmen prepare in their workshops, before offering them for sale in the Bergerac boutique. For example, when Pascale de ZuGaNo (based near Beaumont du Périgord) designs Tiffany-style lamps (made fromagate), brooches and photophores, Mélisande (from Cosmos Floral Farm in Prigonrieux) grows plants for dried bouquets. As for Caroline from Les Lèches, she offers costume jewelry and knitwear, in particular pretty little baby booties, which all the grannies who come into the store love.

Among the other creations on offer are two ceramists, Marie-Aude based in Lanquais and Aurélie who has her workshop in Bergerac on the premises of La Traverse.dicinal plants (Marie de Boudy de Beauregard) who transforms her plants into balms, herbal teas and syrups, and Delphine from Castillonnès (Soleil de Mai) who makes natural soaps, candles and home fragrances using only natural, organic ingredients. With Po& ZYa, Julie (based in Saint-Pierre d’Eyraud) expresses beauty, softness and travel through her customizable handcrafted leather creations. In the midst of these designers, one craftsman stands out with his metal and wood sculptures. Christian, based in Bergerac, invites you to indulge yourself with his signature art and materials. The store is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6.30pm, and it’s the designers who take it in turns to welcome and chat with customers. “By supporting ‘Les Créateurs du Coin’,” suggests Delphine, “you’re helping to promote local craftsmanship and preserve arts and crafts in the Dordogne.”