Thursday 12^th March, following a really good, hearty lunch in a warm and friendly atmosphere at the restaurant “La Clef d’Or” in Baugé-en-Anjou, 24 members and friends made their way to the Rairies Montrieux, for what was to be a most interesting and informative afternoon.

       Les Rairies is a small village near Durtal, where, in the 19^th century local clay was used by many inhabitants to produce terre-cuite tiles. One of these small family businesses developed to become the Rairies Montrieux, a really large enterprise specialising in fabricating bricks and tiles for interior and exterior use to be exported around the world.

      The visit started outside where we stood before mounds of raw, red, yellow and white clay, learning that local clay is supplemented with red and yellow from other areas of France and white from Germany.  Moving inside, we donned helmets and yellow vests before touring the various production areas.  We were guided through all stages of manufacture: from the initial cleaning process, through the clay being moulded and cured for firing, the glazing prior to the second firing, and finally to the finished products.  Along the way we saw moulds being shaped, laboratories where products are tested, we entered kilns and were shown the vast range of beautiful colours available for glazing. 

      The tour was amazing in its detail and lasted over 2 hours.  Afterwards we were invited inside the reception area for a coffee by our English-speaking guide, M. Paul-Vincent Diquero, the export sales director, and Emma Nozay, who is in charge of communication and marketing.  We would like to thank them both and their employees for the warm welcome we received.

      The Rairies Montrieux will be open over the European Heritage Weekend, 19^th and 20^th September 2026 for visits – visits highly recommended by members of the ESU Loire Valley.