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🎩 Felt in the spotlight at La Cheminée – Albi

Visit an old hat shop that has become a contemporary art gallery

From 1850 to 1925, the felt hat made the fame of the Albigensian millinery. In the courtyard of the old hat shop, now transformed into a contemporary art gallery, a brick chimney remains—last witness of that time when Albi was buzzing with hatter activity. On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, felt comes back to life in La Cheminée thanks to the artist Béatrix Chabannier, who explores the expressive possibilities of this fabric in some of her creations.

The felt, what is it?

It is a non-woven fabric, dense and durable, made by pressing and heating wool or hair fibers. But why and how did rabbit hair replace that of the beaver in the manufacture of felt hats? 👉 You will discover it during the guided tour!

The Pelharòt, popular figure of memory

In the past, the Pelharòt (in Occitan), a recycler before his time, traveled through villages to buy up rabbit skins and old rags. The children dreaded him: "Si es pas satge, apelariai lo Pelharòt, e t t t t emix à dins son sac!" It was announced with the cries of: "Pelharòt! Pelharòt! Rabbit’s foot, leprosy’s foot!" A tender and vivid evocation of this forgotten character.

Parallel exhibition: Before the dream / Real

From the 4th to the 28th of September, the gallery also hosts a cross exhibition of two artists and friends, around two visions of the feminine, in resonance with each other. Informations Free.

Adresse
5 rue Sainte Marie, 81000 Albi, Tarn, Occitanie, France