Musée départemental de la Faïence et des Arts de la table

About the museum

The Samadet faience factory was founded in 1732: that year, a decree of the King’s Council authorised the Baron de Samadet, the abbé du Bouzet de Roquépine, to open a royal faience manufactory with a twenty-year sales privilege. Local clay, forest timber and fine sand supplied the raw materials. Production, with floral, animal or rural-scene decoration, was sold across the South-West and as far as the Antilles. The manufactory ceased operations in 1840.

The museum was founded in 1968 on the initiative of the association Comité de la Faïencerie, which gave it to the Conseil général des Landes in 1998. It holds the Musée de France label. The route first presents the history of ceramics and the techniques of shaping, firing and decorating, then some 300 pieces of 18th-century Samadet faience, compared with productions from other centres such as Bordeaux, Rouen or Moustiers.

A second part is devoted to the art of the table, from the Middle Ages to the present. Set tables, scents to identify, testimonies from historians and chefs, and short films show how customs have evolved: the arrival of the knife, fork, plate or individual glass, and French-style service followed by Russian-style service. The visit includes three permanent rooms and a temporary exhibition room.

Highlights

• Some 300 18th-century Samadet faience pieces with floral, animal and rural decoration
• Model of the manufactory and explanations of the manufacturing techniques
• Route through the art of the table from the Middle Ages to today, with set tables and scents to discover
• Faience-making demonstration on the second Sunday of the month
• Workshops for children and families

Permanent exhibitions

• La faïence de Samadet – Some 300 18th-century faience pieces with their floral, figurative and animal decoration, and explanations of the manufacturing techniques.
• Les arts de la table – Route through the history of gastronomy and the table, with set tables, scents and the voices of historians.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Département des Landes

Visitors per year

approx. 8,621

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First weekend of each month

Free admission also for job seekers, RSA recipients and residents of Samadet. On some days, guided excursions with shuttle bus are organised from Eugénie-les-Bains (€5.50) and Préchacq-les-Bains (€6.50). Payment by bank card, cheque, chèques-vacances or cash.

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

The museum is step-free, and cane seats (sièges-cannes) are available. The museum is accessible with a pushchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Workshops for children and family workshops are offered by reservation. The museum has a changing table and a bottle warmer.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the countryside, on the route d’Hagetmau. Organised shuttles leave from Eugénie-les-Bains and Préchacq-les-Bains on some days.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop, screening room and picnic area. Animals are welcome.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit