Marché des Potiers de Salers

The Marché des Potiers de Salers: Ceramics in the Spotlight

Each summer, the medieval town of Salers, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, hosts its Marché des Potiers on the Esplanade de Barrouze. This event, which has become a must-see for art and craft enthusiasts, brings together around forty ceramic artisans from Cantal and various regions of France.

An Associative Initiative Since 2009

The Marché des Potiers de Salers was created in 2009 by the association “À Fleur de Pot”, with the aim of promoting the art of ceramics and valuing the work of professional potters and ceramicists. Since its first edition, the market has continued to grow, attracting new exhibitors and an ever-larger audience each year.

A Comprehensive Overview of Ceramics

The market offers a rich and varied overview of contemporary ceramic techniques and styles:

• Stoneware: robust and elegant pieces, fired at high temperatures, with natural tones and varied textures.
• Porcelain: fine and delicate creations, from art tableware to decorative objects.
• Earthenware: colorful and decorative pieces, heirs to a long artisanal tradition.
• Raku: a Japanese technique producing unique pieces with cracked glazes and metallic reflections.

Visitors can discover tableware, interior decoration items, jewelry, animal sculptures, and many other creations, each bearing the personal mark of its creator.

An Exceptional Setting on the Esplanade de Barrouze

The Esplanade de Barrouze, a vast natural terrace offering a spectacular panorama over the Cantal mountains and the Maronne valley, provides an ideal setting for this market. The potters' stalls line up facing the Auvergne volcanoes, creating a unique atmosphere where art meets nature.

A Moment of Exchange and Discovery

Beyond sales, the Marché des Potiers is a place for meeting and sharing between artisans and visitors. Ceramicists are present at their stands to explain their techniques, their artistic approach, and their relationship with the material. Some offer throwing or modeling demonstrations, allowing the public to discover the ancestral gestures of pottery.

A Free and Family-Friendly Event

Access to the Marché des Potiers is completely free. The event takes place over a full day, from 9 am to 7 pm, and attracts families, collectors, art lovers, and the simply curious. The market contributes to the summer animation of Salers and the influence of art craftsmanship in Cantal, while offering visitors a unique opportunity to acquire original pieces directly from their creators.