“Bagnols has its dynamism”: Xavier Perret, president of the CMA du Gard, came to support exceptional artisans

Elected officials from the CMA and Jean-Yves Chapelet visited Alexandre Diard in his bakery, rue Fernand-Crémieux. A. J. – FREE NOON

Representatives of the CMA and the mayor of Bagnols also went to Sandy Déco. A.J. – Midi Libre

Monday July 8, elected officials from the Gard Chamber of Trades and Crafts, and the mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Jean-Yves Chapelet, visited the Diard bakery and ;Sandy Déco tapestry workshop to support their remarkable work.

"Bagnols has its dynamism." This is what Xavier Perret, president of the Gard Chamber of Trades and Crafts, says as he walks down rue Fernand-Crémieux. With his team and the mayor, on Monday they came to support the candidacy of Alexandre Diard, artisan baker, for the title of master craftsman, the highest distinction in this profession. It is the regional qualification commission which will decide whether or not to obtain the famous distinction.

Established since 2014, Alexandre Diard has been certified baker of France since 2020. A guarantee of the quality of his work and the ingredients he uses, awarded on very strict criteria&nbsp ;: "Here, everything is homemade, it’s 100 % artisan"he assures. At the same time, he is renovating the entire building in which he runs his shop, which will eventually allow him to expand his workshop. Jean-Yves Chapelet underlines: "This work allows the development of the city center of Bagnols." The site was able to reveal that a baker was already present on the site in 1791.

"An example for all"

The baker has already trained several people and a new apprentice "is arriving in August". Transmitting is also part of the craftsman’s commitments. He leads educational days in schools and regularly welcomes interns. For the president of the CMA, "an establishment like that, it&rsquo ;is an example for all".

With this title, he hopes to develop his activity even further. "I have confidence in what I do, I work 80 hours a week."

A title that counts

On the same street, Sandrine Coulombier is the manager of Sandy Déco. She notes that, since 2021, the year she obtained the title of master craftsman in the art trade, "people are less hesitant. They are aware of the quality of the work that is practiced". But this certification doesn't come by chance: “I know how to do everything. And the title of master craftsman attests to my expertise. It's very hard to obtain.”

“Craftsmanship is people who work with their heads and their hands. Master craftsmen (and art craftsmen) also work with their hearts,” concludes Xavier Perret. The municipality hopes that this type of action will help revive the attractiveness of the city center.

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