Musée de la Faïence et de la Céramique de Malicorne

About the museum

The ceramic tradition of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe began in 1747, when Jean Loiseau, a faience worker from Touraine, founded the first faience works in a former inn. The village offered clay, wood for the kilns and a river port for trade. From the mid-19th century, competition from stoneware pushed potters to set up two workshops making everyday earthenware, while faience makers copied the decorations of major centers such as Marseille, Rouen, Strasbourg and Nevers. After the Second World War, activity declined and the stoneware factories closed.

In the 1980s, local players mobilized to preserve this heritage; the project came to fruition in 1994 with the support of the president of the Conseil général. The museum opened on August 31, 2001, in an emblematic site, a former factory for stoneware and glazed earthenware, whose old flame-reversing kilns have been preserved. It is now run by the Communauté de communes du Val de Sarthe.

Over more than 2,000 m², the route explains the stages of making a ceramic and presents a historic collection of more than 5,000 pieces: utilitarian and artistic stoneware, terracotta and glazed earthenware, faience from the 18th to the 21st century, contemporary ceramics, production tools and display cases of archaeological finds. A collection of glazed earthenware from Ligron, a neighboring village, completes the ensemble.

Highlights

• Historic collection of more than 5,000 ceramic pieces
• Former stoneware factory with its reverse-flame kilns
• “Parcours des sens” (sensory trail) and Atelier Barbotine for handling clay
• Collection of glazed earthenware from Ligron
• Free quick tours on Sundays and public holidays, May to September

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours de visite : histoire de la céramique de Malicorne – Stages of making a ceramic and collections of stoneware, glazed earthenware and faience, with three themed routes for young visitors and families, the senses and nature.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Communauté de communes du Val de Sarthe

Visitors per year

approx. 31,550

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month

The ticket includes the museum and temporary exhibitions. Payment by cash, check, bank card, Chèques-Vacances, ANCV, Pass Culture, e-Pass Culture and chèques collèges 72.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label. For visitors with mobility impairments: an adapted parking space in front of the museum, an elevator and adapted restrooms. For visitors with hearing impairments: sound amplifier and subtitles.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Three themed routes, including one for young visitors and families and a “Parcours des sens” (sensory trail) where you can touch materials, look at decorations and listen to the sounds of the ceramics. In the Atelier Barbotine, children and adults shape clay together. Pass'Famille at €14.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Le Mans via the D23 (30 minutes), from La Flèche via the D12 or D18 (20 minutes), from Paris, Angers or Nantes via the A11 motorway, exit no. 10 Sablé / La Flèche.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with works by local craftspeople, regional products, a bookshop, souvenirs and a clay-based creative activity area. Small dogs are allowed only in the shop, carried in arms. The website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit