From April 7 to 12, 2026, this luxury shopping destination—located near Paris and Disneyland—will participate for the first time in the European week celebrating exceptional craftsmanship. The initiative is part of the “Art of the Gesture” event, organized by La Vallée Village, which runs through the end of the year.
A major first for La Vallée Village! The luxury shopping destination, located in Serris (Val-d’Europe, in Seine-et-Marne), close to both Paris and Disneyland, is participating for the first time in the European Artistic Crafts Days, from April 7 to 12, 2026.
Thus, “for a week, the village transforms into a living showcase of artistic crafts.” Visitors are invited to “a progressive and immersive discovery” and to “meet passionate artisans, observe the precision of their movements, understand the stages of production, and, at times, try their hand at certain techniques themselves.”
Workshops and Demonstrations
Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., La Vallée Village offers workshops (from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and demonstrations, most of which require no registration (though space is limited depending on the session) in the Verrière du Menu Palais or along the village’s walkways.
Following demonstrations by artisans Marion Gouez (textiles, embroidery) and Cyrielle Boutantin (feathers and materials) on Tuesday, April 7, the schedule included Lauriane Bégue (costume designer), Florence Chardigny (hat and accessory designer) and introductory workshops on metal engraving with Marianne Blengino, on Wednesday, April 8; then, on Thursday, April 9, Laurence Chean (ceramist) and Maëlys Dayre (leather designer and leatherworker); and, on Friday, April 10, Marion Gouez (textiles, embroidery) and Loann Djian (leather design). Maëlys Dayre (leather designer and leather goods maker) will be back on Saturday, April 11, while Marianne Blengino and Edgard Lucilla will lead introductory sessions—the former on engraving and the latter on creating small leather objects—from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. These 30-minute sessions, offered every hour, are open to anyone 12 and older without registration, subject to availability.
Finally, on Sunday, April 12, visitors can explore an exhibition on the stages of creating artisanal materials and objects.
Repetto and L’Artisan Parfumeur Take Center Stage
Exhibitions showcasing craftsmanship—such as an exploration of the manufacturing process at Repetto or hot stamping at L’Artisan Parfumeur—will also be featured throughout the week.
Through an exhibition,Repetto will present the various stages of manufacturing its iconic shoes, including the “cousu-retourné” technique—its emblematic signature—at its workshop in Saint-Médard-d’Excideuil, in the Dordogne, where they have been handcrafted since 1947.
L’Artisan Parfumeur, for its part, will unveil hot stamping, a marking process performed by hand, initial by initial, on a traditional machine, with a gold or silver finish.
The Art of Crafting
This week takes place within a dual framework.
First, that of the “Art of Crafting” event, organized by La Vallée Village, which began in late March and will run through the end of the year, intended as “a vibrant celebration of heritage through the Art of Crafting.”
Through this event, the center aims to offer “much more than a shopping experience: a cultural and sensory immersion, a vibrant tribute to the women and men who perpetuate exceptional craftsmanship.” The evolving program, designed to encourage discovery, is a natural extension of La Vallée Village’s partnership with the Institut pour les savoir-faire français. This leading organization has been working for 130 years to “preserve, transmit, and promote” these crafts and “savoir-faire, while supporting those who pursue them.”
Four highlights will thus punctuate the year. Following a spring opening (April–May) focused on craftsmanship and materials, the summer (June–August) will extend this immersion through “The Art of Pattern”, highlighting skills (embroidery, decorative arts, and lacquer) that “compose a visual language, where design becomes material.” At the start of the school year, the gesture of detail (September–October) “will celebrate infinite precision (jewelry and watchmaking), where every millimeter counts.” Finally, the gesture of sharing (November–December) will conclude the year, in the warm atmosphere of Christmas, centered on tableware and gastronomy.
European Artistic Crafts Days
The Vallée Village week, from April 7 to 12, is also part of the European Artistic Crafts Days. Launched in 2002 by the French government, these days have become a major annual event dedicated to discovering the finest artisanal skills across Europe.
Each spring, the event highlights artistic crafts (ceramists, glassmakers, cabinetmakers, jewelers, leatherworkers, etc.) that are often little known to the general public. The goal is to promote these crafts and their career opportunities, to preserve traditional skills while fostering innovation, and to encourage new vocations.
During these days, workshops open their doors to the public to offer live demonstrations, while exhibitions and themed tours are organized in several cities and regions, sometimes in prestigious heritage sites (castles, museums, etc.). The opening of training centers further raises awareness of these professions and provides information on how to prepare for them.
From April 7 to 12, 2026, over a thousand events, generally free of charge, will be organized throughout France under the theme: “Hearts at Work.”
While the program is decentralized and each region offers its own events, the Centre-Val de Loire region will be in the spotlight in 2026. Specific communication about these artisanal skills will thus receive increased visibility at the national and European levels. Major events will take place notably at the Château de Chambord, the Hôtel Groslot (Orléans), the Collégiale Saint-André (Chartres), and the Château d’Ars (Lourouer-Saint-André).
In the Île-de-France region, visitors will be able to participate in weaving, sculpture, and wig-making workshops in Paris, meet artisans at the Palace of Versailles, watch engraving demonstrations at the Maison Élysée, and take craft-focused tours at the Louvre Museum or the Opéra Comique.
Read more > La Vallée Village opens a VIP area and the Watchfinder store
Featured photo: © La Vallée Village
