Musée du Grès
Museum of Puisaye stoneware pottery housed in the Renaissance château of Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, with the ceramicists of Jean Carriès' school.
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About the museum
The museum occupies several rooms of the château of Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye. The château was rebuilt between 1530 and 1540 by Antoine de Rochechouart on the site of a feudal fortress. In 1898 the ceramicist Paul Jeanneney settled there and converted the outbuildings into a glazing workshop; the commune of Saint-Amand has owned the château since 1985, and it has been listed as a historic monument since 1991.
Centred on a collection of utilitarian stoneware, the museum traces four centuries of history that shaped the landscape and the people of the Puisaye. A region of bocage and forest, it has a subsoil rich in sandy clay, fired at high temperature in horizontal kilns, which produces very strong, watertight vessels. Kitchen wares such as the toulons, berchets and crapauds originated here and spread well beyond the Nivernais region of Burgundy.
At the end of the 19th century, several artists influenced by Japonisme and Art Nouveau settled in the Puisaye around Jean Carriès (1855–1894) and, for almost 70 years, developed a current of innovative decorative creations; a room is devoted to them. Contemporary ceramics complete the visit, with temporary exhibitions and a rich permanent collection. Admission is combined with that of the Maison de la Mémoire potière, an almost intact survival of 19th-century potteries.
Highlights
- Collection of utilitarian Puisaye stoneware (toulons, berchets, crapauds)
- Room devoted to Jean Carriès and the artists of his school
- Contemporary ceramics
- Renaissance château listed as a historic monument
- Combined ticket with the Maison de la Mémoire potière
Permanent exhibition
- Collection de grès de Puisaye – Utilitarian Puisaye stoneware over four centuries, with a room devoted to Jean Carriès and his pupils and a collection of contemporary ceramics.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
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| Reduced | €3Groups of more than 10 people, people with disabilities, students, pass'musée holders, job seekers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free for children under 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (11+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 10 people. |
Admission is combined with that of the Maison de la Mémoire potière. Also free for teachers, holders of a press or ICOM card, CNIFOP trainees and residents of Saint-Amand. Payment in cash, by cheque or by bank card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 in a Renaissance château and is not wheelchair-accessible because of numerous steps. Dogs are not allowed in the museum but are allowed in the château grounds.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
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| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & 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
| Good to know | Average duration of an individual or group visit: about one hour, according to the tourist office. |
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