Musée de la Cour des Potiers

About the museum

Clay work has long been part of life in Ferrière-la-Petite. In 1718, master potter Gilles Gibon came from Bouffioulx, near Charleroi, bringing salt-glazed stoneware (grès salé) techniques. A true dynasty of potters then settled in the village: in 1789, twelve workshops employed nearly two hundred workers. A faience manufactory opened the same year and produced tableware until 1871. The last pottery, that of the Lambert family, closed in 1957.

The former Lambert pottery building stood abandoned for twenty years. In 1977, the mayor and his first deputy decided to save the bottle kiln and the building. The commune bought the site in 1980 and restored the kiln, which is listed as a historic monument; the museum was inaugurated in June 1982. Built in 1890, this kiln is one of the last two examples of its type preserved in France.

Today the association Terre, Art et Traditions runs a living museum. Visitors discover the bottle kiln and the collections of blue and brown stoneware and fine earthenware, as well as a working pottery with a production workshop and open courses in throwing and modelling.

Highlights

• 1890 bottle kiln with inverted flame, listed as a historic monument
• Blue and brown salt-glazed stoneware from Ferrière-la-Petite (18th to 20th century)
• Fine earthenware from the local manufactory (1789–1871)
• Working pottery with throwing and modelling workshops
• Humorous guided tour of the collections

Permanent exhibitions

• Le four-bouteille – Inverted-flame kiln built in 1890, listed as a historic monument, at the heart of the former Lambert pottery.
• Les poteries – Blue and brown stoneware made in Ferrière-la-Petite since 1718, from decorative vases to farm utensils.
• Les faïences – Fine earthenware tableware produced by the village manufactory between 1789 and 1871.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Association Terre, Art et Traditions

Admission & discounts

The €5 rate is shown on the practical information page, next to the guided tour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

Access to the museum is via a few steps; a virtual visit is offered to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Modelling workshops for children aged 2½ to 6 (accompanied), for ages 6 to 12 and for teenagers, as well as birthday workshops and holiday courses.

Getting there & parking

Walk along the right-hand side of the town hall and climb a few steps to reach the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop selling pottery and salt-glazed stoneware made on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit