Espace muséographique de la poterie de Garos
Museum in the Maison du Patrimoine in Garos, devoted to the history of the women potters of Garos and Bouillon, whose pots were sold throughout south-west France.
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About the museum
Until the early 20th century, women from Garos and Bouillon, in northern Béarn, made highly regarded pottery. Their pots were sold throughout south-west France and even reached Canada across the Atlantic. The earliest pottery dates back to the 13th century; the activity ended in 1930.
The association “Patrimoine et Poterie en terre de Soubestre” was founded in the 1980s by Jacques and Pierrette Cadayé, who discovered this craft through contact with local residents. In the 1990s, archaeologists became interested in these pots, and a researcher wrote a doctoral thesis on them. In 2004, the educational workshop in Bouillon opened to teach ceramic techniques to schools, children and adults.
The exhibition area opened in 2015 on the second floor of the Maison du Patrimoine in the village centre of Garos, with support from the Communauté de communes du canton d’Arzacq. It traces the history of this craft and can be complemented by a potter’s wheel demonstration or a modelling workshop in Bouillon.
Highlights
- History of the women potters of Garos and Bouillon
- Pottery sold throughout south-west France and as far as Canada
- Guided tour with demonstration on an old-style potter’s wheel
- Modelling workshop at the educational workshop in Bouillon
Permanent exhibition
- Poterie de Garos et de Bouillon – Permanent exhibition on the history of pottery-making in Garos and Bouillon, from its medieval origins to the end of production in 1930.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Association « Patrimoine et Poterie en terre de Soubestre »
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Visit to the exhibition area free for children under 6. |
| Groups | –Rates for schools and leisure centres, per child: 30-minute guided tour €2; with potter’s wheel demonstration €4; with modelling workshop €10. For classes or groups of more than 15 children, the modelling workshops take place in Bouillon in the morning, in two rotating groups, followed by the museum visit in the afternoon from 13:30 to 14:45. |
| Guided tour (1 hour 15 minutes) | €5 |
| Guided tour with demonstration on an old-style potter’s wheel | €7 |
| Guided tour with modelling workshop in Bouillon | €15 |
Price: €3 for the simple visit, which lasts about 40 minutes.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 40 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The educational workshop in Bouillon offers intergenerational modelling workshops from age 6; from age 10, children can take part without an adult. Schools and leisure centres benefit from special rates.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the village centre of Garos, about 25 minutes north-west of Pau. The educational workshop is about 3 km away on the route des potiers in Bouillon.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Simple visit of about 40 minutes or guided tour of 1 hour 15 minutes, by appointment only. The potter’s wheel demonstration and the modelling workshop are offered as additions to the guided tour. |
