Villaines-Les-Rochers: Discover Basketry and Heritage

Willow processing and basketry are the focus of several attractions in Villaines-Les-Rochers: the “Il était une fois l’osier” trail, the Musée de l’osier et de la vannerie, the Coopérative de vannerie and the Centre d’Art autour de l’Osier. The Church of Saint-André offers a different cultural focus, with its wall and vault paintings. The attractions vary in format, from a circular route with information panels to collections, demonstrations and guided tours. You can choose whether you would rather explore a route, exhibitions or the craft in greater depth.

Exploring Willow Processing in Different Ways

The “Il était une fois l’osier” trail starts at the town hall and is a 5.2-kilometre circular route. Information panels focus on willow processing and basketry. It lets you explore the subject along a route rather than solely through exhibitions. If you plan to follow the trail, check the route conditions before setting out.

The Musée de l’osier et de la vannerie displays a collection of almost 200 objects. Videos and interactive stations complement the collection, along with a children’s trail and temporary and thematic exhibitions. The museum brings together different ways of exploring the subject, while the trail provides information along its circular route. The exhibition programme may change. If a particular temporary exhibition is important to you, check in advance whether it will be running during your visit.

The museum programme also includes discovery workshops, introductory basketry courses, artist residencies and specialist gatherings. The programme may vary. If you plan to visit for a particular activity, check in advance whether it is taking place.

Craft and Heritage

The Coopérative de vannerie demonstrates willow processing from cultivation to use, through demonstrations and a film. The Salicetum focuses on the raw material: this living collection includes more than 140 varieties of willow used for basketry and ornamental purposes. This gives you the option of exploring both the diversity of willows and different stages of their processing as distinct topics.

The Centre d’Art autour de l’Osier offers guided tours of its willow plantation, workshop, gallery featuring paintings made with willow rods and materials library. These connect the plantation with the centre’s artistic and informational elements. If you plan to take a guided tour, check the booking arrangements in advance, as they may change.

The Church of Saint-André preserves 1,200 square metres of wall and vault paintings and has been fully protected as a Monument historique since 2002. The paintings add a different cultural and historical focus to your itinerary than the attractions devoted to willow and basketry.

The Société Coopérative Agricole de Vannerie has an exhibition and sales area that is open to the public year-round. If you plan specifically to visit this area, confirm the practical arrangements before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Bossay-Sur-Claise, Faye-La-Vineuse, Véretz, Descartes, Dierre, Neuillé-Le-Lierre, Sainte-Maure-De-Touraine, Saint-Michel-Sur-Loire.

Back to the regional travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.