Event highlights craftsmanship and heritage

This Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the historic center of Vence will host the Fête du Haut et Moyen Pays, an event designed to showcase craftsmanship and living heritage through participatory workshops and real-time demonstrations. The festival aims to facilitate encounters between the mountains and the Moyen Pays regions.

Hands-on workshops available

Visitors can participate in a variety of hands-on workshops. A bee wax candle-making workshop will take place continuously on Clémenceau Square, limited to 12 people per session. Vegetable dyeing workshops will also be available on Clémenceau Square, allowing participants to create bracelets with natural dyes in sessions lasting 15 to 30 minutes, limited to 8 people per session.

More workshops across the town

Wicker weaving workshops will be held on Prévôté Square, teaching attendees how to make braids with up to 10 people per hour. Woodworking workshops will be offered on Fernand Moutet Esplanade, where a carpenter will welcome visitors in groups of three for 30-minute sessions. Additionally, a mason will offer a dry stone wall assembly workshop on Clémenceau Square at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with a duration of 1.5 hours and requiring prior appointment.

Traditional crafts on display

Demonstrations of traditional crafts will be visible throughout the historic center. On Clémenceau Square, visitors can observe the work of a stiller performing ironing and distillation, as well as a farrier crafting tools and horse shoes. Prévôté Square will feature a stained glass artist, while Peyra Square will showcase the precision of a lace maker and a santon maker. On Fernand Moutet Esplanade, a mini forge and the precise gestures of a stonemason will be on display.

Family-friendly activities

Families will have several activities to enjoy. The Fontaine du Peyra will host storytelling sessions at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Pony rides will be available from Avenue Marcellin Maurel for children aged 3 to 8 years (maximum 25 kg). Place Godeau will host the Biquetterie and a farm, offering a space to enjoy goat milk crepes. The League for the Protection of Birds will organize a birdhouse-building workshop on Fernand Moutet Esplanade.

Official opening and entertainment

The festivities will officially begin at 11:00 a.m. with a speech by Madame the Mayor, Anne Sattonnet, on Clémenceau Square. Musical performances will be provided continuously in the streets by criers, a barbaric organ, an accordionist, and Provençal music by Lo Cepon. A thematic guided tour is scheduled at 3:00 p.m., departing under the Lime Tree (Fernand Moutet Esplanade). Some activities, including the guided tour and the dry stone wall workshop by the mason, require prior registration with the Vence Information Office (Metropolitan Tourism Office) at 04 93 58 06 38.