Visit Forcalquier and Stop at this Artists’ Atelier-Boutique

Sylvie Hooghe and Cécile Vitrant are jewellery creators based in Forcalquier, a town in the Department of Alpes-De-Haute-Provence. Forcalquier offers many reasons to visit, including an impressive citadel and a pedestrian-friendly old centre, but the main reason is the concentration of artists’ workshops and boutiques. Plan to visit Forcalquier and stop by the newest artists’ atelier-boutique.

Photo courtesy of ©koedabijoux
©sylviehooghe

The Artists

Sylvie Hooghe and Cécile Vitrant first met at a jewellery-making course. After sharing ideas, tools and a passion for their craft, they opened a collective atelier-boutique. Both artists create unique pieces and small series, primarily in porcelain and brass. They are accustomed to working in an open-plan workshop that doubles as an exhibition space and share a similar working style. This collaborative approach fosters creativity.

Photo courtesy of ©Cecile Vitrant

Artist Sylvie Hooghe

Sylvie Hooghe’s artistic career spans various disciplines, including scenography, set design, installation, and sculpture, all interconnected by her devotion to ceramics. Over the last fifteen years, she has concentrated on crafting functional porcelain pieces using slab, coil, and freeform techniques. Her work stands out for its contrast between sturdy forms and porcelain’s delicate elegance, often featuring luxurious glazes that merge matte and glossy effects.

Photo courtesy of ©Sylvie Hooghe

In 2022, Sylvie Hooghe expanded her artistic horizons by delving into metalwork, creating jewelry that seamlessly blends the raw beauty of unfinished ceramic elements with the sleekness of metal designs. This innovative fusion accentuates the intuitive essence of her porcelain work and marks a new phase in her artistic evolution, integrating diverse materials to explore fresh dimensions of creativity.

Photo courtesy of ©Sylvie Hooghe

Artist Cécile Vitrant

Cécile Vitrant is an innovative artisan and the visionary founder of Koeda. Her artistic journey began in the nuanced world of puppetry, where she developed a profound appreciation for texture and form. This experience ignited her passion for tactile exploration, leading her to porcelain, a material that captivated her with its elegance and timeless beauty.

Photo courtesy of ©Cecile Vitrant

Driven to experiment, Cécile expanded her medium to include hammered brass. This introduction of bold, contemporary metalwork allowed her to create a unique balance between porcelain’s softness and brass’s strength. The result is a collection that embodies not just minimalist sophistication but also a poetic grace.

Cecile Vitrant Koeda Portrait – Copyright Amélie Héroux

Cécile’s work is a testament to her philosophy that art should seamlessly integrate into everyday life, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Through Koeda—meaning “twig” in Japanese—she continues to explore the intersection of simplicity and beauty, inspiring and delighting with each meticulously crafted piece.

Forcalquier Atelier-Boutique Information

6 rue Saint Mary
04300 Forcalquier, France

Follow these two artists on Instagram:
@koedabijoux
@sylviehooghe

Why Visit Forcalquier?

Market Day: The Monday Morning market in Forcalquier is one to add to your list of must-sees. At peak times of the year, as many as 200 vendors sell local, seasonal produce, artisan products, fabrics, and flowers. The market stalls spread through the town’s streets in the centre of Forcalquier (Place du Bourguet). This market, dating from the 12th century, is the largest in the Alpes de Haute Provence.

Visitor’s Guide Alpes de Haute Provence

Artistic Festival: The annual festival, ‘Les Ateliers Ouverts,’ takes place over a weekend at the end of July. The association Les Ateliers Forcalquier organizes this festival dedicated to art. This creative summer event is an excellent occasion to discover Forcalquier. The festival, which has been a part of Forcalquier’s artistic culture for years, celebrates the town’s vibrant art scene and is a testament to its commitment to supporting local artists. Every street corner will reveal a new creation in this charming town, recognized for decades as a cradle of artistic life. During the weekend, artists and craftspeople will open the doors of their shops and studios, inviting you to discover their work.

More Alpes de Haute Provence

Gorges du Verdon: The Grand Canyon of France! Turquoise waters, impressive cliffs, and a beautiful lake for various water activities. In the South of France, you should visit the Gorges du Verdon. The most accessible part of the gorge on the water can be found at the Pont du Galetas near Salles-sur-Verdon, on the road leading to Moustiers Sainte-Marie. You will find rental spots for pedal boats, electric boats and kayaks on both sides of the river near the bridge.

Daluis Gorges Côte d’Azur Tourism @George Veran

Remarkable Garden: The Salagon Priory has gardens with over 1,700 plants. Located near Mane, the site has changed from a Gallo-Roman villa (1st century AD) through the ages. Since 1981, it has been a museum and historical monument. However, traces of the earliest inhabitants date to the Neolithic period, 10,000–4,500 BC. Find out more here.

Garden of modern times (Americas) ©C Brau for Salgagon, musée et jardins