Arts & Crafts

The pottery tradition of the Pays de Bray goes back to the Gallo-Roman epoch, owing to the region's abundance of high quality clays. Artistic pottery, the manufacture of earthenware tiles and of inlaid tiles by the Boulenger brothers, has assured the renown of the pottery of Pays de Bray both in France and abroad. The pottery of Martincamp and the earthenware of Forges-les-Eaux are still represented in museums. Local potters continue to perpetuate this fine tradition.

At the ancient thermal station of Forges-les-Eaux, it is possible to visit the workshop (Aux Deux Gouttes d'Eaux) of Alexandre Audel, an artist-potter who continues the tradition of earthenware known as Vieux-Forges which was established in 1797 by an Englishman, George Wood. Here you can have pieces made to order in the styles of Vieux-Forges, Vieux-Rouen, or in stoneware.

At Saint-Paul is the workshop (Le Becquet) of Jean-Michel Savary, who, with a rigorous technique, creates sandstone pieces as well as architectural ceramics.

At Sivignies is the shop and workshop of Jean-Louis Nigon and Monique Lesbroussart, where you will find traditional sandstone items, new designs and creations, and glazed pottery, both practical and decorative; there is also a small museum.

At Warluis is the workshop (Création Céramiques) of Patrice Deschamps, who makes useful and decorative sandstone pottery.

At Haincourt, near Gerberoy, is the pottery workshop of Jean-Luc Noël, where tradition meets creativity.

At Ponchon is the workshop of Sylvie Themereau, specialising in local earthenware and all ceramic techniques.

At Ons-en-Bray is the workshop of Jacky Merigeau , who specialises in sandstone, raku and crystallised sandstone.

At Massy, near Neufchâtel-en-Bray, is Art Gallery Artmazia, the workshop of Geoff Troll, a sculptor, painter and ceramics artisan who also offers training courses. Themed exhibitions are held here, for example featuring the work of contemporary Swiss artist Yves Alain Repond.

At Avesnes-en-Bray, near Gournay-en-Bray, is the workshop of Claudine Naty, specialising in watercolours, framing and lessons in painting.

At Saint-Germer-de-Fly is the workshop of Bertalan Lin.

At Saint Paul, near Saint-Germer-de-Fly, is the workshop of André Van Beeck.

More information on the artists, craftsmen, workshops and galleries listed below, and others, is available at the local tourist offices.

14, Chemin d’Hérigny, 76440 Saumont-la-Poterie, Forges-les-Eaux,

Tel/Fax: [0033] (0)2 35 09 16 20 Mobile: [0033] (0)6 31 07 51 29