Musée de la céramique de Desvres

About the museum

The museum grew out of a municipal collection assembled in 1963 and displayed on the second floor of the town hall. It is largely based on donations from faience industrialists of Desvres.

In 1991 the town inaugurated the Maison de la Faïence, a building designed by the architect Bertrand Klein, to which the museum moved. Run by an association, the venue showed how faience was made, also housed the tourist and cultural offices, and hosted temporary exhibitions and artist residencies until it closed in 2010.

Between 2011 and 2012 the building was extended at the rear and its interior was extensively remodelled. The Maison de la Faïence gave way to the Musée de la Céramique, which opened in October 2012. The museum has held the Musée de France label since February 1, 2003.

The permanent exhibition traces the production of Desvres, in its forms and materials, from the late 17th century to the early 21st century, with testimonies from former workers and faience makers. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and, every two years, residencies for ceramic artists.

Highlights

• Ten rooms covering more than three centuries of ceramic production in Desvres
• Around 700 pieces: earthenware, faience, stoneware and porcelain
• Testimonies from former workers and faience makers
• Touch tables, films and projections on how faience is made
• Shop with ceramics from Desvres and works by local ceramic artists

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent du Musée de la Céramique – Ten rooms present around 700 pieces from the production of Desvres, from the late 17th century to the early 21st century, with films, touch tables and testimonies from former workers.

Founded

1963

Visitors per year

approx. 13,052

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month

School and adult groups have a specific offer, described under the “Publics” section of the museum’s website.

Accessibility

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

According to the museum, the entire route is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Thirty free Audiopens (sound pens, handed out against a card deposit) offer a quiz for ages 8–12 along the whole route. Clay-modelling workshops are held during the school holidays (zone B) around the theme of the temporary exhibition. The route includes videos, touch tables and games.

Getting there & parking

By car: A26 motorway, exit Lumbres, or A16 motorway, exit Desvres.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with free access, selling second-hand Desvres ceramics and works by local ceramic artists.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit