Musée départemental de la Céramique

About the museum

In the 19th century, local history enthusiasts built up important collections in Lezoux, mainly of Roman terra sigillata. The first museum opened on May 25, 1957, run by the Comité archéologique de Lezoux. It became municipal in 1966 under Hugues Vertet, a CNRS researcher who directed most of the town's excavations. In 2003, the museum received the “Musée de France” label.

In the 1980s, the original building had become too small. The commune bought the former Bompard factory, a 19th-century ceramics works active mainly between 1870 and 1920, whose buildings and two monumental kilns are listed as historic monuments. In 1999, the Puy-de-Dôme Département bought the factory and led the museum project, entrusted to the architects Philippe-Charles Dubois et associés. The new museum opened on March 14, 2007.

The route traces the work of the potters from antiquity to today. From the 1st to the 4th century, Lezoux was one of the largest ceramics production centres of the Roman Empire, which forms the core of the archaeological collections. In 2014, the museum received the Tourisme et Handicap label.

Highlights

• Roman terra sigillata produced in Lezoux
• Former 19th-century Bompard factory with two monumental kilns
• History of the potters from antiquity to the present day
• Residencies for ceramic artists
• Museum park

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente de céramiques – Route through the potters of Lezoux and ceramics, with archaeological finds from the Roman period.

Founded

1957

Operated by

Département du Puy-de-Dôme

Visitors per year

approx. 24,269

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month, European Night of Museums, European Heritage Days, archaeology week and JNCP.

The ticket gives access to the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions and the park. Admission is also free for job seekers and recipients of the RSA (French minimum income), teachers (archaeology, art history, ancient languages), holders of an ICOM card, Carte Culture or press card, and group accompanists. The museum is a partner of the Pass Culture. Prices from 2025.

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

The museum states that it is accessible to people with disabilities and has held the Tourisme et Handicap label since 2014.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

During school holidays, the Atelier Ô Musée workshops take children aged 7 to 14 for one or two half-days (€4 per half day, booking required). Visit companion booklets, games and a free detective game are available at reception. Strollers are available.

Getting there & parking

By car: A89 (Lyon–Clermont-Ferrand), exit 28 towards Lezoux and Billom. The museum is about 25 km from Clermont-Ferrand and 15 km from Thiers. The website offers a carpooling link.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is listed on the website. A park surrounds the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit