In the Charentes, proudly recognised as a CreativeFriendlyDestination, certain artisans stand out for the way they embody the region’s creative identity through their craft, their philosophy, and their commitment to transmission. Sarah Dupuis, ceramist and founder of Sarah Dupuis Céramique, is one of these defining figures. Her work reflects the soul of the Charentes: authenticity, simplicity, natural beauty, and a deep respect for materials shaped by hand and time.
Based in Charente‑Maritime, Sarah creates pieces that are both contemporary and timeless — functional objects infused with poetry, balance, and quiet elegance. Her universe is rooted in the tactile relationship with clay: the softness of the material, the rhythm of the wheel, the meditative repetition of gestures. Her workshop is a place where earth becomes form, where patience becomes art, and where visitors are invited to slow down and reconnect with the pleasure of making.
Through her participatory workshops, Sarah has become a key contributor to the region’s creative tourism movement, offering experiences that are as human as they are artistic.
How does your work connect with the principles of creative tourism?
Last year, I took part in a working group on creative tourism with Charentes Tourisme. It was an important step that helped me structure my offer and develop ceramic workshops that align with the CreativeFriendlyDestination philosophy.
This process encouraged me to open my workshop more widely and to design experiences that allow visitors to discover the craft from the inside.
What does your creative tourism offer consist of?
I invite participants to discover the magic of the potter’s wheel and to create their own bowl.
The initiation workshop introduces them to a professional studio, the tools, the preparation of clay, and the essential gestures of wheel‑throwing.
It’s a hands‑on, immersive experience where each person shapes a unique piece — a small bowl that carries the memory of their first encounter with clay.
What opportunities does creative tourism bring to your activity?
Creative tourism has given me the opportunity to share my craft with visitors who want more than a simple visit. They want to experience something real, human, and meaningful. These workshops allow me to transmit my passion for clay and to raise awareness about the value of artisanal work — the time, the precision, the patience behind each piece.
Creative tourism has given me the opportunity to share my craft with visitors who want more than a simple visit. They want to experience something real, human, and meaningful!
In your view, what does creative tourism bring to the territory?
It attracts a different kind of visitor: curious, authenticity‑seeking travellers who appreciate meeting local artisans and discovering the savoir‑faire that enriches Charente‑Maritime.
It offers them a deeper connection to the territory — not only through its landscapes, but through the people who shape its cultural identity.
In one word, how would you define the cultural DNA of the Charentes?
Authenticity.
More about
Charentes, CreativeFriendlyDestination
