Bonjour Carine! To begin, could you introduce your brand, Ombellessence, which seems to carry a very distinctive philosophy?
The name was born from the fusion of two words: ombelle, which evokes umbrella-shaped flowers, and essence, referring to fragrances and the soul of creation. Ombellessence is an alchemy between my passion for plants and my creativity. Each candle is a tribute to the plant world, a union of nature and design.
That’s why I carefully select plant-based waxes (rapeseed and sunflower), free from GMOs and pesticides, appreciated by pollinators like bees. The wicks are made of braided cotton, the fragrances come from the Grasse region, the dried flowers are organic and French, often sourced from the Slowflower movement. The containers are handcrafted by artisan potters, and the packaging is eco-friendly and custom-designed.
And your creative universe—where does it come from?
It draws from two sources: my personal journey, shaped by encounters that taught me the value of handmade work, and nature, which constantly inspires me with its colors, shapes, and scents. It’s a living work of art that must be admired, cherished, and respected.
More broadly, what values are most important to you?
Authenticity, kindness, and eco-responsibility. I work entirely by hand, I highlight artisanal skills (woodworker, florist, illustrator, perfumer…), I favor short supply chains, I design my molds using sustainable materials, I reuse packaging… I want each creation to honor both the person who receives it and the planet.
Creative tourism helps preserve the know-how and traditions that form the very identity of the region. Tourists come to discover the richness of our territory by taking the time to participate in activities they don’t usually experience ...
Carine PATTIER, Wax Creator @Ombellescence – Jonzac, Charentes, France
Beyond creating your collections for sale, you regularly offer creative tourism experiences. Can you tell us more?
Since founding my business in 2019, offering introductory workshops was one of my goals. It’s a way for me to pass on the gestures of my craft, to share my passion, and to open my world to the public. My move in March 2024 to the Ateliers d’art de la Corderie in Jonzac was a turning point: it allowed me to realize this ambition by embracing the concept of creative tourism promoted by the Creative Tourism Network, which celebrates immersive and artisanal experiences.
More concretely, what does your creative tourism offer consist of?
I offer workshops of about 2.5 hours, during which participants discover the craft of candle making by creating their own scented and flower-adorned candle. It’s a sensory and creative experience, where each person is guided step by step in choosing materials, fragrances, dried flowers… Each candle is unique, reflecting the individual who creates it.
What opportunities does creative tourism bring to your activity?
It’s a fantastic opportunity for diversification. These workshops allow me to create a direct connection with the public, to share my expertise, and to reveal the behind-the-scenes of artisanal creation. It’s also a way to build customer loyalty—they leave with much more than a product: an experience, a memory, an emotion.
And what benefits do you see for the region?
Creative tourism helps sustain local know-how and traditions that shape the identity of the Charentes. It invites visitors to slow down, immerse themselves in local culture, and experience authentic moments. Rather than consuming the region passively, they become active participants. They leave with memories far richer than those of a simple visit.
If you had to define the cultural DNA of the Charentes region, in one word?
Tradition! It’s a region rich in craftsmanship, nature, and encounters. And it’s this tradition that I strive to bring to life through my creations.
Creative Tourism Charentes is a project coordinated by the the network “Villages& Paysages” created by Infiniment Charentes.
