Catalan fabrics take centre stage

In an attractive little village, a number of unexpected treasures await the most tenacious visitor.

Arts and craft industry

Tenacious because you’ll certainly need a double dose of curiosity to make your way up the winding roads of the Haut Vallespir to discover these famous “Toiles du Soleil” (sunshine fabrics) which carry the colours of the Languedoc Roussillon region well beyond its borders.

You can take in the wild beauty of the area as you head along the road to Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans. A little piece of Catalonia itself, its name is associated with the espadrilles worn by sardana dancers. The “Toiles du Soleil” are the direct heirs to this ancestral tradition. In 1994, the decorator Françoise Quinta and her interior designer husband Henri discovered an old forgotten factory here in much the same way as two new lovers may meet as they turn a street corner... and simply threw caution to the wind! “Sans et Garcerie” as it was then known was a business which had fl ourished in the late 19th century, but which was now threatened with closur. The espadrille had gone out of fashion and the fabric was simply not generating a profi t any more. Undeterred, the Quintas decided to give the traditional Catalan striped fabric a facelift by brightening it up and updating its colours! Inspired by their own experiences as fervent travellers constantly exposed to ever-changing shapes and colour schemes, the Quintas’ collections introduced a welcome touch of modernity, appealing to current tastes. The factory shop was soon joined by a showcase site in Perpignan – the famous Maison Quinta. Additionally, the Quintas presented their latest creations twice a year at the “Maison et objet” show in Paris. The business quickly went international. The Japanese and Australians soon developed a taste for these “sunshine fabrics”, with 40% of turnover being derived from exports. Today, these Toiles du Soleil from a bygone age can be found in our homes or on our fashion accessories, and continue to carry Catalan tradition to the four corners of the earth.

Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans Tourist Office - Tel. 33 (0)4 68 39 55 75 Website (In French)

Les Toiles du Soleil in Saint Laurent de Cerdans - Tel. 33 (0)4 68 68 47 26 – Website