Quimper, capital of earthenware, a love affair for over 300 years
Quimper earthenware: from Jean-Baptiste Bousquet to Henriot-Quimper
The earthenware adventure began in 1690 with the arrival of Jean-Baptiste Bousquet, who had left his native village near Marseille to set up as a master potter near the Priory of Locmaria.
He earned an honest living there, without competition, and benefited from the proximity of the port, which facilitated the transport of raw materials and finished products. These arguments convinced his son Pierre, an earthenware maker in Marseille, who moved there in 1707.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the two major earthenware factories facing each other were HB (Hubaudière-Bousquet) and Henriot.
The participation of the two faience makers in the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in 1925 was a success. The renovation of Breton culture now also passes through their workshops.
Discover the history of earthenware by visiting the earthenware museum of Quimper.
Faïencerie Henriot-Quimper
Henriot-Quimper is one of the oldest French companies, created in 1690 at the time of the royal manufactures. Labelled a Living Heritage Company, it is the sole heir to the prestigious heritage of Quimper earthenware and a unique know-how, recognised throughout the world. Here, everything is done by hand, from the creation of the pieces to the freehand decoration: tableware, interior decoration, limited series reissues, but also a line of elegant earthenware jewellery and of course the famous first name bowl invented in the workshops of the faience factory in the 1930s.
Visits to the workshops of the Henriot-Quimper faience factory:
In July and August, visits from Monday to Friday at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm (duration: 30 minutes)
- Single price: €5
- Children under 7: Free
The factory shop is open all year round.
Faïencerie Henriot-Quimper
Place Bérardier - Locmaria - 29000 Quimper
Tel: 02 98 90 09 36 - www.henriot-quimper.com