Montsalvy – Petite Cité de Caractère – Small City of Character
Montsalvy is located approximately 33 km south of Aurillac, nestled in the heart of La Châtaigneraie, a magnificent region in the Cantal department, in southwestern Auvergne.
The origins of La Châtaigneraie date back some 2,000 years, when the Romans planted the first chestnut forests in the area, hence its name Châtaigneraie – chestnut grove.
In addition to its natural beauty, Montsalvy boasts an exceptional architectural heritage, which earned it the designation of “Petite Cité de Caractère” (Small Town of Character) on December 10, 2014.
This national designation aims to preserve and promote local heritage, as stipulated in the organisation’s charter:
“La Charte de Qualité des Petites Cités de Caractère, pierre angulaire du concept, engage les communes à mener une politique active de sauvegarde, d’entretien et de restauration de leur patrimoine, ainsi que de mise en valeur, et de promotion auprès des habitants et des visiteurs.”
This translate basically as:
“The ‘Quality Charter for Small Towns of Character,’ the cornerstone of the concept, commits municipalities to pursuing an active policy of safeguarding, maintaining, and restoring their heritage, as well as enhancing and promoting it to residents and visitors.”
And that is precisely what Montsalvy is doing!
Basketry, a traditional activity of Cantal
For centuries, the chestnut and hazelnut trees in the surrounding forests provided the wood needed for construction and heating.
Their branches were also used to make utilitarian objects, such as baskets, essential for transporting animals and agricultural products to market.
Thus, the inhabitants of Montsalvy naturally transitioned from woodcutters by day to basket makers by night, making basketry a traditional craft of the Cantal region.
A few decades ago, a resident of Montsalvy took the initiative to found an association aimed at revitalising and promoting the art of basketry in the region.
Fete des Paniers de Montsalvy
The first Fête des Paniers de Montsalvy (Basket Festival) took place in 1995 and was an immediate success, attracting over 2,000 visitors who were able to admire demonstrations by 11 basket makers perpetuating ancestral skills.
Since then, the festival’s reputation has continued to grow, reflecting a renewed interest in traditional crafts. Held annually on the last Saturday of July, the Montsalvy Basket Festival has established itself as one of the most important basketry festivals in France. It indeed welcomes 80 professional and amateur basket makers from Montsalvy and all over France, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The range of woven items exhibited at the Montsalvy Basket Festival has expanded over the years, reflecting a renewed interest in basketry in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to non-recyclable plastic bags.
The Montsalvy Basket Festival exhibits a wide variety of woven items: flowerpots, hats, coasters, bread boxes, and rugs. Of course, baskets of all shapes and sizes take centre stage, crafted from materials such as chestnut, hazel, bramble, rattan, straw, or willow.
But the festival isn’t limited to basketry. Visitors can also immerse themselves in other traditional Cantal crafts. Stonemasons showcase their skills in shaping local stone slabs called lauzes, while clog makers and spinners demonstrate their techniques. Finally, the event offers the opportunity to admire the majestic Salers cows, whose milk is renowned for producing the delicious eponymous AOC cheese.
Department of Cantal
Coordinates: Lat 44.707294 – Long 2.500047
Credits: Photos © Le Gîte des Lutins, near Montsalvy – Header by mwanasimba CC BY-SA 2.0
