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A major first for La Vall\u00e9e Village<\/strong>! The luxury shopping destination, located in Serris (Val-d\u2019Europe, 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thus, \u201cfor a week, the village transforms into a living showcase of artistic crafts.\u201d Visitors are invited to \u201ca progressive and immersive discovery<\/b>\u201d and to \u201cmeet passionate artisans, observe the precision of their movements, understand the stages of production, and, at times, try their hand at certain techniques themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., La Vall\u00e9e Village offers workshops<\/b> (from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and demonstrations,<\/b> most of which require no registration (though space is limited depending on the session) in the Verri\u00e8re du Menu Palais or along the village\u2019s walkways<\/b>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Following demonstrations by artisans Marion Gouez (textiles, embroidery)<\/b> and Cyrielle Boutantin (feathers and materials)<\/b> on Tuesday, April 7, the schedule included Lauriane B\u00e9gue (costume designer), Florence Chardigny (hat and accessory designer)<\/strong> and introductory workshops on metal engraving with Marianne Blengino,<\/b> on Wednesday, April 8; then, on Thursday, April 9, Laurence Chean (ceramist) and Ma\u00eblys Dayre (leather designer and leatherworker)<\/b>; and, on Friday, April 10, Marion Gouez (textiles, embroidery) and Loann Djian (leather design). Ma\u00eblys Dayre (leather designer and leather goods maker)<\/strong> will be back on Saturday, April 11, while Marianne Blengino and Edgard Lucilla<\/b> will lead introductory sessions\u2014the former on engraving and the latter on creating small leather objects\u2014from 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally, on Sunday, April 12, visitors can explore an exhibition on the stages of creating artisanal materials and objects<\/b>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exhibitions showcasing craftsmanship\u2014such as an exploration of the manufacturing process at Repetto<\/b> or hot stamping at L\u2019Artisan Parfumeur<\/b>\u2014will also be featured throughout the week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Through an exhibition,Repetto will present the various stages of manufacturing its iconic shoes<\/b>, including the \u201ccousu-retourn\u00e9\u201d technique\u2014its emblematic signature\u2014at its workshop in Saint-M\u00e9dard-d\u2019Excideuil, in the Dordogne, where they have been handcrafted since 1947.<\/p>\n L\u2019Artisan Parfumeur, for its part, will unveil hot stamping<\/b>, a marking process performed by hand, initial by initial, on a traditional machine, with a gold or silver finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This week takes place within a dual framework.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First, that of the \u201cArt of Crafting\u201d event, organized by La Vall\u00e9e Village<\/b>, which began in late March and will run through the end of the year, intended as \u201ca vibrant celebration of heritage through the Art of Crafting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Through this event, the center aims to offer \u201cmuch more than a shopping experience: a cultural and sensory immersion, a vibrant tribute to the women and men who perpetuate exceptional craftsmanship<\/b>.\u201d The evolving program, designed to encourage discovery, is a natural extension of La Vall\u00e9e Village\u2019s partnership with the Institut pour les savoir-faire fran\u00e7ais. This leading organization has been working for 130 years to \u201cpreserve, transmit, and promote\u201d these crafts and \u201csavoir-faire, while supporting those who pursue them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Four highlights will thus punctuate the year. Following a spring opening (April\u2013May) focused on craftsmanship and materials, the summer (June\u2013August<\/b>) will extend this immersion through \u201cThe Art of Pattern\u201d<\/b>, highlighting skills (embroidery, decorative arts, and lacquer) that \u201ccompose a visual language, where design becomes material.\u201d At the start of the school year, the gesture of detail (September\u2013October) \u201cwill celebrate infinite precision (jewelry and watchmaking),<\/b> where every millimeter counts.\u201d Finally, the gesture of sharing (November\u2013December)<\/b> will conclude the year, in the warm atmosphere of Christmas, centered on tableware and gastronomy.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Vall\u00e9e Village week, from April 7 to 12, is also part of the European Artistic Crafts Days.<\/b> Launched in 2002 by the French government, these days have become a major annual event dedicated to discovering the finest artisanal skills across Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each spring, the event highlights artistic crafts<\/b> (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.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From April 7 to 12, 2026, over a thousand events,<\/b> generally free of charge, will be organized throughout France under the theme: \u201cHearts at Work.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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<\/b>. 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 Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord, the H\u00f4tel Groslot (Orl\u00e9ans), the Coll\u00e9giale Saint-Andr\u00e9 (Chartres), and the Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019Ars (Lourouer-Saint-Andr\u00e9)<\/b>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the \u00cele-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 \u00c9lys\u00e9e, and take craft-focused tours at the Louvre Museum or the Op\u00e9ra Comique<\/b>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWorkshops and Demonstrations<\/h2>\n
Repetto and L\u2019Artisan Parfumeur Take Center Stage<\/h2>\n
The Art of Crafting<\/h2>\n
European Artistic Crafts Days<\/h2>\n