The France wants to invest 340 million euros to develop arts and crafts

The government announced on Tuesday 30 May that it was investing 340 million euros over three years to develop crafts, to better structure them and especially to attract young people. Jewellery, goldsmithing, cabinetmaking and tannery: the France lists 281 different craft trades, an essential sector for the luxury industry, architecture and heritage conservation. But after years of load shedding, know-how is being lost. The plan aims to support a sector worth €19 billion and 60,000 companies.

French Ministers of Small and Medium Enterprises, Crafts and Tourism Olivia Grégoire (left) and Higher Education and Research Sylvia Retailleau, after a cabinet meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris, May 24, 2023. © Ludovic Marin / AP

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Without them, the French luxury industry would not exist and heritage conservation would be impossible: the tens of thousands of professionals, artists and craftsmen form a sector of excellence whose know-how is acclaimed abroad. However, the difficulties are numerous, skills are lost and vocations are rare.

Bénédicte Epinay, General Delegate of the Comité Colbert, which brings together the French luxury sector, is therefore pleased with the interest shown in these professions: "It is a bit the poor relation of public policies. It is true that when we talk about what works in France, we often have the opportunity to hear about industries, but very little about crafts. These trades needed us to shed light on them, to rethink training, and then, for the little ones, to support research, because when you are an isolated craftsman, you do not always have the means to think about the materials of tomorrow, while the period requires it.

Part of the efforts will be devoted to raising awareness among middle and high school students about these professions. Because every year, the sector needs 20,000 artisans and struggles to find them.

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• France
• Economy
• Handicraft