In the Alps this summer, get in touch with nature

It’s the new yoga. In the Saarland, overlooking the resort of Les Gets in Savoie, the Bonhomme sisters host weekly summer pottery workshops where you can learn, shape clay and create your own piece. Anouk raises lambs and crafts pottery figurines inspired by them, while Nathalie, a graphic designer, adds her artistic touch. The result is poetic, fresh and beautifully original - a perfect place to awaken your inner artist. Artisan pottery des Gets

At the family run company of Laurenzio, in Combloux in Haute-Savoie, granite has been cut and worked for four generations. Naturally, novices aren’t let loose with the diamond cutting wire or chisels to split the monumental blocks created on Mont Blanc thousands of years ago. But you can get to stroke the stone on a guided tour – and it really is impressive. Laurenzio Granit of Mont Blanc (French only)

In the workshop of Didier Perrillat, discover the art of working with leather. Located in one of the oldest chalets of Grand-Bornand in Haute-Savoie, Didier explains his trade, that of a saddle maker and leather specialist, a rare profession these days. As you sit in his workshop, cosy at the corner of the stove, you’ll find Didier’s story fascinating. Didier Perrillat, master craftsman at Le Grand Bornand (French only)

At Bessans in Haute-Maurienne, woodcarving has been a tradition for more than four centuries. The most famous of the sculptures is the devil, the emblem of the city. Meanwhile, in Vallée d'Abondance, doves are preferred, made from the wood of a spruce tree and cut by hand using an Opinel knife. Whichever you prefer, angel or demon, it’s a relaxing experience to watch a performance of this ancient art. The devils of Bessans in Maurienne The doves of Abondance