Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is an emblematic French ceramic institution founded in 1740 in Vincennes under the leadership of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. Originally created to compete with the productions of Chantilly and Meissen, it was transferred to Sèvres in 1756 in a specially built building near the Château de Bellevue. This site, designed by architect Lindet and engineer Jean-Rodolphe Perronet, houses workshops organized by floors, dedicated to each stage of manufacturing, from moulding to painting.

The manufacture is distinguished by its quest for hard porcelain, a major technical challenge in the 18th century. After unsuccessful attempts with the Hannong brothers and costly trials, the discovery of kaolin in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche in 1765 finally allowed to master this technique. Under the direction of Alexander Brongniart (1800-1847), the factory is experiencing an international boom, becoming the official supplier of European courts and French institutions, such as the Presidency of the Republic.

In 1876, the factory moved to its current site on the edge of the Domaine de Saint-Cloud, where it also incorporated the National Museum of Ceramics. In the 19th century, innovations such as the wood-burning kilns of Ambroise Milet (1877), classified as historical monuments, allowed exceptional cooking. Today, the factory continues to be an excellent artisanal know-how, combining re-editions of historical models and contemporary creations, while participating in exhibitions and art fairs.

The National Manufacture of Sèvres also played a significant social role. As early as 1748, a "flower shop" employed about 20 young girls, but the women were then excluded from the workshops in 1753, now working at home. The factory attracted renowned artists and chemists such as Jean Hellot and Pierre-Joseph Macquer, contributing to its prestige.

In 2010, it merged with the National Museum of Ceramics to form the City of Ceramics - Sèvres and Limoges. Since 2025, it has been integrated into the National Manufactures - Sèvres & National Furniture, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture. His artistic and technical heritage remains a pillar of French heritage, with works exhibited around the world.

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