Thread and Beads by Sébastien Carré

They will also be able to experiment with techniques such as crochet and macramé to add volume and texture to their creations, according to their projects and desires.
Over five days, progressive modules will enable participants to acquire technical skills while encouraging experimentation and exchange. More experienced participants can also use the week as a creative retreat to conceptualise a personal project, exploring different technical solutions to bring it to fruition.

In a warm, family atmosphere, this workshop offers an inspiring and convivial interlude between creative moments, exchanges and moments of relaxation to enjoy the place and recharge your batteries.
Saturday 28 is a festive day, open to the public, with a discovery workshop, a presentation of the work produced during the course and a talk by the artist.

Sébastien Carré (FR)
French artist Sébastien Carré lives and works in Strasbourg. A graduate of HEAR (Ecole supérieure des arts décoratifs de Strasbourg) in plastic arts, he has received numerous awards and distinctions for his innovative work combining textile techniques and jewellery design.


Programme:
The residency will run from Monday 22 to 26 June 2026
The arrival of the participants will be possible on Sunday 21 June from 15:00 to start the workshops together on Monday morning. You will have time to discover the place, to settle in and to get to know each other. At 19:30 a welcome dinner will be served.

Course of a day : (There may be some changes in the schedule depending on the needs of the moment)
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:00 Workshop
12:30 Lunch
14:00-17:00 workshop
17:00-19:30 breaks, exchanges, swimming, walks...
20:00 Dinner

Saturday 27 June is a day of celebration
Open house for the curious: studio visit, demonstration of techniques covered during the course. The usual activities at Mounaval: morning yoga, swimming in the Viaur, a masseuse (not included in the price) can be arranged if you wish. We plan a cultural and tourist outing to Saint Antonin Noble Val.


Price: €670 (5-day course including materials and tools needed to make your creations).
Early-bird rate: €610 for registrations up to and including 31 Janvier 2026.
+ 40€/day. 3 Meals, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks
+ €17/night: accommodation in the barn (6-bed dormitory)
+ €40/night: accommodation in a spacious individual tent. Two models, one larger, the other cosier.
It is possible to come accompanied with an extra charge of 15€ on the price of the tents.

>> Full PDF presentation (FR / EN)


Mounaval is an old family farm built during the Revolution where vines were grown. This reinvented place is home to Harry's cycle restoration workshop, a Bavarian with a passion for bicycles, as well as the studio of the visual artist Babette Boucher. This is our living space.
Le sel de la main was born twenty years ago during a wild residency between friends in Burgundy and was finally born in Marrakech, where we lived for a few years. The workshops were finally organised in Mounaval, a small place with 6 hectares of forest, nestled on a hillside with a view of the Pyrenees.
Calm, rurality, nature, orchard, vegetable garden, river, swimming, hiking, starry nights... so many words
that set the scene for a relaxing stay. Here, you can stay for a course or a residence in all simplicity. The barn has been transformed into a comfortable
dormitory. Spacious tents set in the chestnut grove offer simple and ecoresponsible comfort. The toilets and shower are located in the house, while the dry toilets and shower are located outside.


Terms and conditions:
Payment will be made either on arrival at Mounaval, in cash, or by cheque or bank transfer to Le sel de la main account. You will be asked to pay a deposit of 300 euros when you book online, which is refundable if the course is cancelled or in the event of force majeure.


Food and Drink:
Meal times are fixed to allow the group to get together. Depending on the weather, they take place outdoors or indoors in our communal area equipped with an open, friendly
kitchen where cooking workshops also take place. Food is served buffetstyle: creative, healthy dishes, mainly
Mediterranean with a vegetarian focus, for lunch and dinner. Special dishes are prepared for people who announce their allergies or dietary
requirements in advance. Everyone helps prepare the meals!
We favour local products; a large part of the fruit and vegetables come from the vegetable garden and orchard of Mounaval. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the price. As an extra, we offer a regional wine as well as homemade beer produced in Mounaval.

How to get there:
Mounaval is located in Varen in the Tarn et Garonne, between the towns of Albi, Gaillac and Villefranche de Rouergue.
The nearest train station is Lexos or Laguépie, where we will pick you up. The nearest airport is Toulouse.

Le Sel de la Main * The salt of the hand
The association Le sel de la main invites people to learn and discover artistic and craft techniques. It brings together people from all walks of life who share a common passion: creating and experimenting together. Le sel de la main offers the opportunity to participate in residential workshops where you can immerse yourself, take the time to discover, create and learn new disciplines, and build a network of friends and professional contacts. These moments of sharing and exchange are particularly enriching and allow
everyone to progress.
Le sel de la main offers a setting surrounded by nature on the Mounaval estate, where you can recharge your batteries and reconnect with yourself. A time for yourself away from everyday life, allowing everyone to take the time to refocus on their deepest aspirations.
Creative, artistic and rejuvenating holidays, to take care of yourself. So listen to yourself! Join us, far from the stress and constraints of everyday life, to share these special moments in a serene and inspiring environment.