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Key figures

Origin and history

The Longwy Emaux et Faiences Museum, established since 1975 in the former military bakery of the citadel (Longwy-Haut), retains a unique ceramic heritage. This 18th-century building, with its basins, ovens and bread distribution systems for 5,000 soldiers, now houses collections from local factories. The earthenware (since 1798) and enamels (since the 1870s) illustrate the artistic and technical evolution of the region, from utility services to decorative pieces.

The collections come mainly from the dispersal of the works of the Société des Faienceries et Émaux de Longwy between 1975 and 1977, when the city acquired part of the heritage to found the museum. The enamels surrounded on earthenware, emblematic technique, reflect European currents from the 1870s to the present day. The museum also showcases works by local artists such as sculptor Jean-Paul Aubé (1837–1916) and painter Paul-Georges Klein (1909–1994), as well as an exceptional collection of 4,750 irons, from the 15th century until today.

The climax of Longwy's enamels was reached during Art Deco (1920-1930), marked by Parisian orders and a gold medal at the Paris International Exhibition in 1931 for a vase by Maurice-Paul Chevallier. After World War II, the factory focused on decorative and luxury production, before selling its historical collections in 1975, forming the heart of the present museum. A project to move to the former Banque de France de Longwy-Bas, relaunched in 2019, aims to reopen in 2023.

The present building, classified as a building of Intendance or Manutention, was built in 1753 on foundations of Vauban. Its spaces, designed for the production of military bread, offer a historical setting to the collections. The museum, labeled Musée de France, also offers temporary exhibitions and animations throughout the year, highlighting the vitality of this still alive ceramic heritage.

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