The workshop
The Vianel workshop, where the Le Tarn knife is crafted
My artisan cutlery workshop is situated in the heart of the Tarn, in a place known as La Métairie Neuve, in the commune of Saint-Gauzens. It is here, in this setting that is so dear to me, that I hand-craft the ‘Le Tarn’ knife myself.
I trained at the CFAI in Thiers, the European capital of cutlery, where I learnt the skills and techniques that now enable me to bring my own designs to life.
The name Vianel is derived from the first names of my three children: Vincent, Antoine and Elisa. It is therefore a name that represents a significant part of my history and of what drives me in my work as a master cutler.
The origins of the Le Tarn knife: a knife for work and for eating
I designed the Le Tarn knife, drawing inspiration from the traditional knives of our region, which were once used by our ancestors both for eating and for work.
Its blade, shaped like a sage leaf, echoes the simple, functional lines of these traditional knives. Its width makes it particularly well-suited to trimming the willow twigs used as ties in vineyards.
Through this handcrafted knife, made in the Tarn, I wanted to bring a little of that history back to life, along with the everyday objects that once formed part of rural life.
The ‘Le Tarn’ brand and the model are registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), which guarantees that this is a handcrafted, regional knife, 100 per cent made in Occitanie…
A tribute to the farmers of the Tarn
The Le Tarn knife is also a tribute to my grandfathers, who were farmers. I imagine they would have appreciated it for its comfortable grip, its simplicity and, above all, its practicality and utility.
I also wanted to pay tribute to today’s farmers in the Tarn, those who shape and maintain our magnificent landscapes, those who produce the wonderful local products and those who process them with passion.
The Tarn is a region of craftsmanship, traditions and character. It is this heritage that I wish to bring to life through my work as a master cutler in the Tarn and through the ‘Le Tarn’ knife.
Visit the Vianel workshop
Would you like to discover my world, see where and how Le Tarn knives are made, or simply have a chat about artisanal cutlery?
Visits to the Vianel workshop in Saint-Gauzens are by appointment only.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to find out more and come and discover my cutler’s workshop in the heart of the Tarn.
