Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de la Céramique de Rouen has its origin in the passion of André Pottier (1799–67), the first historian of the Rouenian faience. Born into a family associated with this industry, he collected nearly 1,100 pieces, bought by the city in 1864. The museum then opened in a gallery of the former convent of Sainte-Marie, with Pottier as curator. His posthumous notes, published in 1870 under the title Histoire de la faience de Rouen, remain an essential reference.

In 1868, the collection was enriched with that of Abbé Colas, followed in 1873 by the acquisition of the Spheres of Pierre Chapelle, major 18th century pieces. Transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts in 1888, the ceramic base gained its autonomy in 1930. Since 1984, it has occupied the Hotel d'Hocqueville, a 17th century mansion built on the ruins of Rouen Castle and Rotomagus Gallo-Roman amphitheatre. Ranked a historic monument in 1937 for its facades and roofs, this place combines architectural heritage and exceptional collections.

Today, the museum presents 900 of the 5,000 pieces in its collection, illustrating the golden age of the Rouenne faience (XVIth–XVIIIth centuries). You can admire the tiles of Masséot Abaquesne, the dishes in blue camaïeu, or the decorations with the horn. Two rooms dedicated to the Manufacture de Sèvres (XIXth–XXth centuries) complete the journey, with naturalist pieces and flamed decorations. The hotel of Hocqueville, surrounded by a garden planted with albizias, also houses a bust of the god Pan (1913) from the plant garden of Rouen.

The notable Conservatives included Charles Maillet du Boullay (1873–75) and Gaston Le Breton. The museum, labeled Musée de France, showcases faience centres such as Delft or Nevers, while highlighting Rouen's uniqueness. Its history reflects the evolution of tastes, from the porcelain prized in the 19th century to the rediscovery of earthenware, a symbol of local know-how.

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