Marie-Laure and Arnaud Gabriel are passionate. Whatever they undertake. And when they discovered the collection of vehicles and wooden objects made by Gilbert Housset over nearly forty years near Cerisy-la-Salle in Manche, they didn’t hesitate for a moment. “These are unique works, made in real size, with incredible care and attention to detail,” enthuse these two artisans who have already revived the manufacture of straw brooms near Royville (Seine-Maritime) where they have set up in the heart of a former linen farm. “And when we learned that this collection was at risk of going abroad, we made an offer to acquire it. It would have been a shame to see it go.”
A unique clock in the world
Many trips were necessary to transport the forty vehicles (2CV, Harley-Davidson, Formula 1, Jeep, Méhari, etc.) and objects made around a multitude of themes. The precision of each reproduction and the ingenuity of the carpenter, who plays with different types of trees to stick to the reality of his models, are astonishing. There is even a clock made entirely of wood, unique in the world, including the mechanism, which earned its creator an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
“We had a large hangar that had to be renovated to accommodate this collection and be able to exhibit it,” continues Marie-Laure Gabriel, who opened the place to the public last spring. “People mainly come to La Balaiterie, our workshop where we make our brooms from A to Z. But today, with word of mouth, many people ask me if they can also see the wooden cars…” Busy as they are, the couple advises visitors to give them a call to prepare to receive them.
And he has no shortage of projects. The largest collection of traditional brooms in Germany is currently for sale. And he still has a building, which admittedly needs serious renovation, which is not yet occupied…More information on www.labalaiterie.fr