"Pastel" is the plant which made Albi and Toulouse rich. The blue dye made from the leaves of the plant was the best source of that colour (used as woad by us northerners) and in the XVth century the golden triangle formed by Albi, Toulouse and Carcassonne produced 60000 tons of the dye. The leaves are rolled into balls, called "cocagnes" (see them on many door knockers), dried then ground into powder. It is the length of the process which gave the product its value, and which eventually led to its demise when cheaper indigo was imported from the indies. Nothing new then about world trade competition affecting western industries.
 |
| Chateau-musee de Magrin |
The Chateau of Magrin, between Puylaurens and Lavaur, in the Tarn, presents the whole history of the rise and fall of pastel. Created by journalist and historian Patrick Rufino the museum is housed in the chateau he restored in the 1970s and details are available on its website
http://www.pastel-chateau-musee.com/
