Occitanie: A pastel house in Toulouse
Growing in the vicinity of Toulouse, the pastel made the wealth of the Ville Rose in the 16the s. This plant produced after treatment a superb blue dye, very coveted at the time. The sheets of pastel transformed into balls called “shells” then earned Toulouse the nickname of “land of plenty”.
Today, pastel is experiencing a the comeback thanks to its cosmetic virtues available in perfumes, beauty creams, soaps… The know-how related to pastel dyeing in the Pays de Cocagne was recognized in 2021 as part of the French intangible cultural heritage.
Since September 16, the Toulouse company Terre de Pastel has opened on Place d’Assézat in the heart of Toulouse La Maison du Pastel, which aims to be a new place of information and cultural mediation entirely dedicated to Pastel Isatis Tinctoria L, age-old plant from Occitania.
Inside this immersive space, visitors will learn more about the secrets of the sheet of pastel, its history, and the Toulouse women who made pastel shine through their beauty, like Paule de Viguier, or their support. Financier like Clémence Isaure. Two storytelling walks, Pastel and Brick and Pastel and Violet (1h30) will also be offered throughout the year in small groups, departing from the Maison du Pastel.
Note that there is also a Museum of Pastel, located in Labège, just half an hour by car from the Maison du Pastel, which welcomes groups throughout the year around dyeing workshops.
More info online:
Destination info:
Midi Toulouse – Occitanie, Toulouse