Basketry Museum: An Artisanal Treasure of the Luberon
Published on 29/09/2025 by CAMPASUN
AIn the heart of the Luberon, the village of Cadenet is home to an artisanal treasure: the Basketry Museum. A perfect cultural activity, easily accessible from Campasun campsites in the South of France, especially for holidaymakers staying at Les Hautes Prairies campsite in Lourmarin or at L’Étang de la Bonde campsite in Sannes.
Practical Information for Your Visit
To make the most of your cultural outing in the Luberon, here are the essential details.
| Information | Détails |
|---|---|
| Adresse | 4 Avenue Philippe de Girard, 84160 Cadenet, France |
| Période d’ouverture | Du 19 avril au 31 octobre |
| Horaires d’ouverture | Lundi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi : 10h00–12h30 & 14h00–18h00. Dimanche : 10h00–12h30 |
| Jours de fermeture | Mardi (toute la journée), Dimanche après-midi, et le 1er Mai |
| Tarif Adulte | 4 € |
| Gratuité | Moins de 18 ans, bénéficiaires de minimas sociaux, personnes en situation de handicap. Gratuit pour tous le 1er dimanche du mois. |
| Contact | Tél : 06 16 42 74 55 / Email : musee.vannerie@cotelub.fr |
| Site web | Musée du Luberon |
What is the Basketry Museum of Cadenet?
Nestled in the heart of the Luberon Regional Natural Park, the museum is located on the very site of a former craft workshop, ‘La Glaneuse,’ giving it an authentic atmosphere steeped in history. Opened in 1988, its mission is to preserve and showcase the memory of a craft that shaped the village’s identity for nearly two centuries.
This place is more than just a collection of objects: it is a living tribute to craftsmanship, materials, and transmission. Each piece on display tells part of the local history and honors the technical mastery and creativity of Cadenet’s basket weavers.
What is the history of basketry in Cadenet?
From 1820 to the late 1970s, Cadenet thrived on willow weaving, with wicker cultivated in the fertile Durance Valley. The activity was so prosperous that in 1906, the town counted 206 basket weavers for barely 2,000 inhabitants—a figure that illustrates the vital importance of this craft for the community.
The creation of the Basketry Museum is above all a matter of transmission: more than two-thirds of the collections come from donations by village families, with each object carrying a fragment of local life.
In 2024, management of the museum was taken over by the COTELUB community of municipalities, which invested in its preservation and modernization. This initiative aims to sustain the French excellence of craftsmanship while promoting short supply chains, ensuring a dynamic future for this living heritage.
What can you see during the visit?
The tour offers a true immersion into the world of weaving. Every corner of the museum reveals a different aspect of this ancestral craft through a rich and varied permanent exhibition. Here, you will discover:
- More than 1,000 woven objects: an impressive collection, remarkable both for its size and its diversity. It showcases local creations from Cadenet as well as pieces from America, Asia, and Africa, illustrating the many uses of basketry—furniture, hats, work baskets, decorative objects, and more.
- The basket maker’s tools: display cases showcase the traditional instruments of the trade, such as billhooks, mallets, pruning shears, and wooden molds. They reflect the ingenuity and precision required for artisanal craftsmanship.
- The richness of materials: the tour highlights the diversity of fibers used. Willow and rattan take center stage, but visitors also discover chestnut, bamboo, and even synthetic fibers, illustrating the evolution of techniques over time.
- Living testimonies: a space is dedicated to oral memory. Through audio recordings and archival videos, former Provençal basket weavers share their daily life in the workshop. Their moving stories bring profound humanity to the collection.
What activities are offered by the museum?
Far from being a static venue, the Basketry Museum aims to be a dynamic and evolving space. Since its management was taken over by COTELUB, a renewed momentum has been set in motion with an enriched program.
Temporary exhibitions are planned to showcase contemporary basketry, highlighting that this ancestral craft continues to evolve and inspire today’s designers. The museum thus establishes itself as one of the key destinations for basketry in France.
Introductory workshops and discovery courses are also planned, allowing all audiences—both children and adults—to learn the techniques of weaving.
This commitment to passing on knowledge is part of a strong local momentum, notably supported by the Willow and Basketry Festival, which enlivens the village every first weekend of July. The event brings together artisans from across France for demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and a market dedicated to craftsmanship.
Visiting the Basketry Museum of Cadenet is not just an activity—it is a true journey into Provençal identity, exploring an ancestral art passed down with passion. A meaningful immersion that offers a deeper understanding of the history and techniques shaping this region.
From your location at Les Hautes Prairies campsite in Lourmarin (just 6 km away) or at the Étang de la Bonde campsite (approximately 14 km), this cultural getaway is ideal for enhancing your stay in the Luberon.
