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Artisans awarded the "Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" title in "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France"
"Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" – what is it?
Established in 1925 to promote the image of apprenticeships and manual trades, the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France still embodies, more than 90 years later, the values of excellence, innovation and precision. The National Society of Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, established a few years later, has set itself the mission of promoting the holders of this title across the 200 trades represented in the competition (trades from the worlds of craftsmanship, arts and crafts, and the luxury sector) both in France and internationally.
The competition to win the title of “MOF” is open to all. Each candidate is judged anonymously by their peers on a piece of work on which they have spent a year. This work is necessarily highly technical and based on a set theme.
Portraits of ‘MOF’ craftspeople in ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’
Christina VON MOHRENSCHILDT, MOF in wood marquetry in Carennac (Lot)
Born in 1964 in Germany, Christina VON MOHRENSCHILDT taught herself the art of marquetry alongside her partner Jean-Emmanuel RIARD, a cabinetmaker. She creates panels using wood veneers and other materials, employing a subtle and refined approach. Based in Carennac since 2000, she was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2004.
You will find her studio-gallery in the village of Carennac, at the start of the Roman road, where she also runs introductory courses in marquetry.
Her studio in Carennac: Xulokopos
Alain LAGORSSE, artistic coppersmith in Saint-Amand-de-Coly (Dordogne)
Based since 1979 in Saint-Amand-de-Coly, Alain LAGORSSE is what you might call a very active pensioner! Passionate about copper, he undertook the Compagnons’ Tour de France and, in 1989, was awarded the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France for a piece of work that you can still see in his workshop, amongst his hammers and anvils!
Today, he is passing on his expertise to his son Yoann, with whom he continues to work for both professional clients (distillers, restaurateurs, etc.) and private individuals. Whether creating new pieces or restoring old ones, they work with all types of items made from copper, brass or pewter. You’ll find them at the entrance to the village, on the road leading to the abbey.
His workshop in Saint-Amand-de-Coly: Lagorsse Copper Smith and Boilermaker
Daniel GALLI, master santon-maker in Ansouis (Vaucluse)
“The summer santon-maker”, as the villagers like to call him. Daniel GALLI is based in Ansouis for over 30 years, and in his workshop he crafts traditional Provençal santons from red clay. Awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2004, his passion stems from his childhood and the story of his grandfather, a potter. The nativity scene that earned him the MOF title is on display in his workshop in Ansouis, in a narrow lane near the château.
Daniel Galli’s Workshop: Rue du Buis – 84240 Ansouis
