Festival of Pottery

Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, land of potters

Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye is the beating heart of the pottery tradition of Puisaye, a territory straddling the Nièvre and Yonne departments, whose rich and varied clays have attracted potters since the Middle Ages. The commune is home to EMA-CNIFOP (International Center for Training in Crafts and Ceramics), a unique institution in France that trains dozens of ceramists each year and contributes to the international renown of the Puisaye pottery tradition.

An exceptional pottery market at the château

The heart of the Festival of Pottery is the pottery market held in the courtyard and gardens of the Château de Saint-Amand, a Renaissance building that houses the Musée du Grès. About forty ceramists—established artists of national and international renown, and young talents from EMA-CNIFOP training programs—exhibit and sell their creations: stoneware, earthenware, porcelain, raku, ceramic sculptures, and exceptional utilitarian objects.

Visitors can interact directly with the creators, understand their techniques and artistic approach, and acquire unique pieces directly from the artists.

Demonstrations, visits, and open days

Throwing demonstrations allow visitors to observe the precise and fascinating gestures of potters shaping clay on their wheels. The Maison de la Mémoire Potière, in Faubourg des Poteries, offers guided tours retracing the centuries-old history of pottery in Saint-Amand. EMA-CNIFOP opens its doors to the public for demonstrations of various techniques—throwing, decoration, glazing—and exchanges with students in training.

An event linked to the French Pottery Throwing Championship

For several editions, the Festival of Pottery has hosted the French Pottery Throwing Championship, a spectacular competition where the best artisans compete in speed and precision challenges on the potter's wheel. This contest adds a sporting and entertaining dimension to the event, captivating a wide audience beyond just pottery enthusiasts.