Le Roannais : The Tourist Office's Official Web site

The landscape of the Roanne region is deeply marked by textile activity, the fruit of a long tradition. Established as early as the Middle Ages, the spinning and weaving of linen and of hemp gave birth to the peasant weaver.

Nestling in the valley bottoms, numerous watercourses offer the quality necessary for dyeing and produce the power essential to the operation of the factories. At the crossroads of great communication routes (Royal Way, canal, rail network), the region developed strongly with the textile industry.

In town and country, a considerable built heritage witnesses to this activity: factories, weavers’ shops, owners’ houses. Besides Bussières and Charlieu, textile know-how can be discovered in St Just en Chevalet with the Manufacture de Velours (Velours factory) and in Panissières with the Musée de la Cravate et du Damassé (Tie and damask museum).

The Roanne area shines by the quality of its craftsmen. Whether they be jewellers, earthenware makers, potters, sculptors, cabinetmakers or bookbinders, all contribute to the vitality of craftsmanship in the Roanne area and invite you to discover their know-hows.

Not to be missed is the Maison des Métiers d'Art in Roanne and its numerous exhibitions. Celebrating designers ! Each year at the end of August, the medieval village of Crozet is the showcase of one of the most highly-rated markets in the Roanne area: the Marché de Verriers (Glass artists market). Discover magnificent works stemming from the various, often spectacular techniques of the art of glass: blowers, engravers, leaded/stained glass window specialists, glass painters, etc.

And, every two years, in April, "Le Printemps des Créateurs dans les Montagnes du Matin" (Springtime for Designers in the Montagnes du Matin) showcases an art craftsmanship theme.