Created in the le Havre region, in 1981, by a group with a passion for folklore. The group for Norman traditional arts "la villotte" is aiming to research, transmit and maintain the heritage of the Norman culture through costumes and traditional exhibitions as well as dance, songs, music and other activities such as embroidery, lace, wood-craft and weaving.

These activities are presented during folk festivals, parades, exhibitions and village festivals or other events such as traditional markets selling Norman products and the celebration of the Saint Jean fires.

Also, "la Villotte", has often been the ambassador of the Norman and country of Caux regions during both French and foreign festivals : in England, Austria, the Canari Islands, Germany, and also where there are twin cities in both French and foreigns countries.

During public exhibitions, the associations members wear traditional costumes dating from the 19th century, coming from both high and low Norman regions, where copied from original garments. We have many different types of costumes, wich represent different social classes and work categories from the last century.

• The Bourgeois Dress : made of sumptuous materials ornate with embroideries , fabulous head-wears and jewellery.


• The Farmer's Costume : a particuler Norman styles trouser for men and for women a pleated skirt.


• The Harvest Costume : a flannel belt and a straw hat for men.


• The Costal Dress : fisherman's clothes.

The dance exhibitions are based on the portrayal of the lives of artisans (country people):

• The "embroiderer" fascinate visitors with the dexterity in wich they dance.


• The "lacemaker" present the finese of their ement the finese of their embroideries.


• Braiding humid wicker wood, the basket maker keeps the attention of both young and old people with "his song of the basket maker".


• The "girl weaver" of the wool attracts the attention with her spinning wheel always moving.

"La Villotte" also presents interesting exhibitions of authentic Norman costumes , headwear and of magnificient embroideries and other art works. These demonstrations and exhibitions are very interesting sources of exchange and communication between people of all ages : visitors, children, parents and old people.