French craftsmanship is unparalleled in the world. Baccarat crystal. Limoges porcelain. The historic patterns of toile de Jouy. Scented gloves and custom-made umbrellas in Paris. The prized digestifs, Armagnac and Cognac. The history of artisanal objects made in France is one of my favorite topics!
Recently I was invited to speak about French artisanal traditions at the Boivin Center for French Language and Culture at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. What an honor! My hosts, Drs. Mel and Cindy Yoken, organized the event in the beautiful reading room of the Claire T. Carney Library on campus.
Click here to see the full content of my talk (don’t worry, my French only lasts about 18 seconds!):
Prior to the event, I was invited to sit down with the enthusiastic Phil Paleologos, host of WBSM Radio in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to talk more about craft traditions around the world.
Here’s the full radio interview:
Did you know?
I have a new series of travel guides coming out in 2015, including books on Paris and Provence! My goal is to help you become an educated buyer–maybe even a connoisseur–of Florentine leather, ceramics of the Amalfi Coast, Parisian hats, Venetian glass, or handmade quilts of Provence. Click here to learn more.
Have you come home from France with something you love? Drop a comment in the box below. I love to hear your stories!
[…] season, flowers, farm-produced cheese, home-made bread, eggs, and even a living rabbit or two! Made in France: What to bring home from Paris or Provence … French craftsmanship is unparalleled in the world. Baccarat crystal. Limoges porcelain. The […]