Estampes brings together traditional pottery, built heritage and local food production. At the Catherine Dacenko studio, visitors can discover pottery; the Church of Saint-Barthélemy d’Estampes and the washhouse are part of the town’s built and historical heritage. There are also two distinct areas of production: ducks and geese at Josiane Lucantis’s farm, and snails at L'Escargot'enpot. For your trip planning, this offers a choice of a hands-on activity, historic buildings and insights into local production methods.

Pottery in Estampes

The Catherine Dacenko studio offers workshops, classes and courses in traditional pottery techniques. These include modelling for everyone and wheel-throwing for adults. They offer different ways to work with clay and are aimed at clearly different groups. If you would like to include a hands-on activity in your trip, check which format is suitable for the participants you have in mind.

Catherine Dacenko welcomes visitors to her studio to discover pottery. Workshops are available on request; arrange the visit and booking details before you arrive. A piece made by participants can be taken home after several days of drying and firing. The studio also produces unique, hand-shaped and decorated pieces. You can therefore explore the offering both by taking part yourself and by viewing the handcrafted work made there.

Church and washhouse

The Church of Saint-Barthélemy d’Estampes is part of the town’s built and historical heritage. The washhouse is at the southern end of the former Castelnau. A wooden staircase provides safe access down into it; the washhouse is still operational. As its condition may change, check the current situation before visiting. The church and washhouse thus offer different ways to explore the local heritage: a historic building and a still-operational washhouse at a precisely identified location.

Production and a glimpse of farm life

Since 1987, Josiane Lucantis has continued to raise, force-feed and process ducks and geese in Estampes using traditional methods and with consideration for animal welfare. Visitors to the farm can learn about her work, techniques and the family history of the business. Check visit arrangements in advance. This glimpse therefore focuses not only on production, but also on the business’s working methods and history.

L'Escargot'enpot focuses on something different: its snails are raised outdoors in an organically vegetated environment and processed on site. Comparing the two production methods, Josiane Lucantis’s work emphasizes traditional methods and consideration for animal welfare, while L'Escargot'enpot focuses on outdoor rearing and on-site processing. These differences offer a concrete insight into the variety of local production, without suggesting that both businesses use the same methods.

The natural surroundings

Estampes has a well-preserved natural environment. It complements the town’s crafts and cultural and historical features with a landscape perspective, and is another aspect to consider when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations:

Lupiac, Maignaut-Tauzia, Estipouy, Gaujac, Cazaux-Savès, Armous-Et-Cau, Toujouse, Leboulin

For the broader travel overview: Gers.