"Argiles du Velay"

Known for thousands of years for their properties and benefits, the Velay Clays have played a significant role in the region’s history. As far back as ancient times, they were already recognized for their natural qualities. This local resource has also shaped human settlement in the region, as the Romans built their city in Saint-Paulien at the foot of the clay hills.

Over time, these clays have become an integral part of the Velay’s heritage -natural, historical, and economic alike. Their presence reflects a strong connection between the land, the practices developed by people, and the region’s identity. Even today, they embody local expertise and serve as an iconic resource of the Velay.

A geographical indication makes it easier for consumers to identify a product’s origin and understand the close link between the product and its region. It highlights a specific geographical area whose natural and human characteristics contribute to the product’s quality and distinctiveness.

Beyond its origin, the GI designation also recognizes local expertise passed down and mastered by local producers. It thus ensures that the product is defined not only by its place of origin, but also by its production, processing, or preparation methods rooted in local tradition. For consumers, it therefore serves as a mark of trust, authenticity, and quality.

The Velay Clays' geographical indication serves to promote both traditional craftsmanship and local industries, as well as the region as a whole. Only clays extracted from the Velay sedimentary basin and processed in the Haute-Loire may bear this designation. This requirement ensures a strong regional connection and guarantees that every essential stage of production respects the product’s recognized origin.

For consumers, this certification is a mark of trust, authenticity, and quality. It certifies not only the origin of the clays but also their purity and compliance with specific standards. As a result, everyone can purchase “Argiles du Velay” with full confidence, assured that they are choosing a product that is truly connected to its region of origin.

The Velay Clays are distinguished by their unique origin, high quality, and authenticity. Sourced from a single deposit mined in the Puy-en-Velay basin, in Saint-Paulien, they come from a recognized site that has been designated as ZNIEFF (Natural Area of Ecological, Faunal, and Floral Interest) since 2016, highlighting the environmental and cultural richness of this region. Their exceptional purity is one of their key characteristics: quartz and silica free, which makes it a rare and particularly valuable ore.

Industrially mined for nearly forty years by local companies, the Velay Clays are used primarily in the cosmetics, animal feed, and animal care industries. Their natural composition, based on three minerals—illite, kaolin, and montmorillonite—provides active ingredients valued for their digestive, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. This combination of a strictly localized origin, a remarkable composition, and recognized uses reinforces the identity and value of the Velay Clays.