Craftsmanship

Over and above its agriculture, based on the typical Mediterranean trinity of “vines, wheat and olive-trees”, together with sheep and goat breeding, the ancient territorial economy of the Hérault Valley was also founded on a varied range of crafts. Few of these have survived into modern times.

The excellent water supply provided by the rivers Hérault and Verdus favoured the building of mills. They made use of this resource to grind wheat and the bark of the holm oak, used in tanning. They were also used for wood-turning, to manufacture splints and the handles of tools or to press wool fibres into felt. In the 18th century, distilleries for thyme, lavender and rosemary oils, olive oil mills and preserving plants for olives, soap factories and even the manufacture of studded pétanque balls from boxwood roots.

The production of verdet (verdigris or copper acetate used to prevent mildew on vines) was carried on in the cellars of the houses, where small copper plates were kept damp so that they would oxidise and produce the precious verdet. Silkworm breeding took place in the attics of the houses, whilst tartaric acid crystals were collected by scraping the sides of the wine vats.

These trades and family activities have all disappeared. However, there is one that has been brought back to life thanks to the interest in our heritage that has come from the local population, the community and the development of the tourist industry. This is the craft of pottery, which is especially to be found being practised in Saint-Jean-de-Fos.

> A History of the potters of St-Jean-de-Fos


> Consult the directory of artists and craftsmen