The project for which a first series of 3

The communauté de communes de forez-Lyonnais door the future hub of rural excellence on tourism and heritage named "Mode, hat and crafts", spearheaded a new dynamic for the city of Hatmaking (Loire), strongly désindustrialisée.

Begun in the 1950s, while it still employed 1,500 people in this provincial capital of canton of the monts du Lyonnais, the crisis of the headgear is amplified around 1970. Ecuyer-Thomas, the last factory, has closed its doors in 1997. This rural canton of Loire Valley culture remains marked by centuries of shaping of these clothing accessories rabbit hair felt. Half of the 10,000 people living in the city centre, which no longer has the old industrial nature, apart from the presence of the German manufacturer of spark plugs Beru. With the evolution of the economic fabric, the strategy of development, including tourism, through a upgrading skills and from the most remarkable heritage of hat activity, which is now exercised only in a workshop-Museum, where a dozen people work. It has the particularity of self-financing to almost 50. In addition to the traditional recipes, he developed the economic activities a production of rabbit fur hats, according to traditional techniques, which are two people. Between 300 and 400 of the 1,000 pieces sold every year in his shop are manufactured on the spot. Moreover, professional education and training (108 students in 2005) for molding cone felt hair, TLC or dyeing are provided throughout the year. The establishment is very open to international. In addition to the animation of a club Hat-Passion, which has 190 members around the world, are held every two years of the Rencontres internationales arts of the hat. "In 2005, 150 creators were among 350 guests", said Yvan Perreton, responsible for development. Future transfer in wastelands of the Fléchet ex-chapellerie will be the starting point for a larger project. A true centre of creation, open to artists and artisans of fashion, should see the day the new site by 2009. This factory known, founded in 1859, was the most monumental plant of the city. Still topped by a high chimney where is evacuating the steam used in the manufacturing process, it is classified by the Historical Monuments. The rehabilitation of some buildings in residences for artists-milliners and artists will allow the occupants to benefit from common services shared with the staff of the workshop-Museum: a boutique direct sales via the Internet of their production, a resource centre promotes research, an exhibition hall, an extended training offer and a space dedicated to the fashion shows. The municipality, led by Marguerite Lacroix, also hopes to build a 300-seat Recital Hall in close proximity. "The doors will be open to local craftspeople, but renowned artists will be invited, in exchange for a work of mediation with the population and the school," said Sophie Dubois, Director of the communauté de communes. The project, for which a first series of 3.7 million euros aid is sought, but which should represent "a total investment of nearly $ 10 million euros", according to Jean-Paul Seux, General Counsel of the canton, must create a dozen jobs on the spot. Even if it does not result in the re-creation of industrial units on-site, the transmission of local skills will develop new milliners, designers, stylists and wardrobe of theatre, or technicians whose skills can operate in one of the last chapelleries of Rhône-Alpes, such as Créatex Diffusion, Annonay (Ardèche), or even International Fashion Accessories (IFA), Anse (Rhône), whose production is contracted out in Tunisia. This future cultural and tourism centre should strengthen the identity of the territory. In addition to attendance at the workshop-Museum, the number of visitors should pass of 17,000 to 25,000, there will be benefits for the hotel. Also, expected in the creation of a new restaurant in the immediate vicinity of the site. Built around a secular heritage endangered, should contribute to break the isolation of this rural township to rhônalpines agglomerations.