Martres-Tolosane
Martres-Tolosane still has the splendid circular shape of a bastide village.
Martres-Tolosane – a village where it’s a pleasure to go round in circles !
Martres-Tolosane still has the splendid circular shape of a bastide village. Five craftsmen perpetuate the tradition of hand-made pottery which made the village famous. The Martres style is characterised by hand-painted patterns of flowers and birds, like the renowned multi-coloured ibis, inspired by Moustier pottery. The history of this hand-crafted activity can be seen at the heritage discovery centre called Angonia after the Roman name for the village.
The tradition of craftsmen and women continues in Martres and visitors can admire creations in the workshops of a master-clockmaker, master glassmaker and a painter-sculptor. In addition, the remains of a luxury Roman villa can be seen at Chiragan near Martres. This sumptuous residence, the headquarters of an immense farming estate employing 400 slaves, contained a collection of busts and statues which can be seen at the Musée Saint-Raymond in Toulouse.
Martres-Tolosane is also a nature resort and fishing spot !
Martres-Tolosane has an outdoor activity centre at Saint-Vidian, 2km south of the village. The 1.5 hectare lake teems with fish ! Among the most common are rainbow trout, barbel, gudgeon, chub and roach, not forgetting freshwater crayfish for the most skilful, or luckiest, fishermen.
Lake Saint-Vidian is in fact two lakes, one of which is reserved for teaching young children the art of fishing. The quiet, restful spot has a picnic area, children’s play park and a fitness trail. The free car park is easy to access.
Salon des Arts et du Feu - a major arts and crafts fair!
Created in 2001 by Martres-Tolosane council to promote local skills, the Salon des Arts et du Feu attracts around a hundred artists and craftspeople offering a wide range of colourful, creative activities.
The first weekend of November is an essential date in the Martres calendar, promoting the dynamism and energy of the creative art economic sector through workshops, demonstrations, competitions and a guided tour of the Lafarge cement works and Vital Aine biscuit factory, both flagships of the local economy.
« Every year, on Trinity Sunday, just after Whitsun, Martres-Tolosane celebrates its patron saint in a festival that is half religious, half military, dating back to the 13th century. Saint Vidian was a martyr who was killed according to legend near the fountain which bears his name during a great battle against the Saracens in the time of Charlemagne. After a church service, the procession goes to the fountain of Saint-Vidian for a blessing before moving on to the ""Campestrès"" where a mock battle takes place to perpetuate the memory of the martyr.»"
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