Lezoux, a land of ceramics pottery and crafts

The birth of ceramics, an art whose invention is lost in the mists of time. Long before Lezoux became a benchmark in the art of pottery, our distant ancestors discovered the magic of transforming clay into lasting objects.

Remains dating from the 6th millennium BC in the West and the 7th century BC in the Near and Middle East attest to its long history. Over the centuries, men not only learned to shape clay with dexterity, but also discovered the art of firing, giving their creations a solidity and durability that defy the centuries. This innovation spread like a spark across continents, with each culture adding its own distinctive touch.

From Egypt to Lezoux, ceramics have become a universal language of craftsmanship, a testament to the ingenuity and artistic spirit of humankind. The Musée de la Céramique in Lezoux bears witness to this long history.

Lezoux, land of potters the history of ceramics

The town of Lezoux, lies on a sandy strip rich in clay. Its adventure with ceramics began as early as the Gallic period, around 1ᵉʳ century BC, although only one potter’s kiln from this period is attested to this day. The arrival of the Romans marked a decisive turning point, and Lezoux became a hotbed of activity for the manufacture of a variety of ceramics, from tableware and culinary ware to terracotta objects for construction and religious votive offerings.

Among these creations, sigillated ceramics stand out, recognizable by their red or orange hue and relief decoration. These pieces, decorated with mythological or floral scenes, bore the names of their creators, testifying to the importance of the artistic signature at the time: over 1,200 potters’ names have been listed. Lezoux sigillia, a prized and quite luxurious tableware, was exported throughout the Roman Empire, from Great Britain to Poland, thanks to a well-established distribution network. A visit to the Musée départemental de la Céramique in Lezoux will reveal some unique pieces from this period. However, with the end of Antiquity and the social upheavals that accompanied it, ceramics production declined, without ever completely dying out. Traces of ceramic production survive from the VIIᵉ to the IXᵉ century, and then into the Middle Ages, although less well known and of more local distribution.

In the XIXᵉ century, Lezoux and the surrounding area abounded with small factories and itinerant craftsmen, perpetuating the pottery tradition. Recognizing Lezoux’s historic importance in the art of ceramics, in 2007 the Conseil Départemental du Puy-de-Dôme inaugurated a Musée départemental de la Céramique, located in the former Bompard factory, an emblematic site of this tradition. The museum tells the story of the region’s pottery, reflecting centuries of know-how and innovation.

Push open the door to the ceramics museum in Lezoux

Step back in time, share ancient secrets and admire the finesse of period creations in a splendid, authentic setting! Housed in a former earthenware factory, the Musée de la Céramique presents 1300 m2 of fun-filledmuseum exhibits. Pottery can be touched. A playful, tactile trail has been designed throughout the museum. There’s also an immersive work to see, touch and smell: “Le secret du monde”, created by Nathalie Talec.

You only have to look at the children running from one desk to another to judge the family-friendly nature of the visit. All the more so as the older children are happy to play along, trying to identify shards or carefully tracing sigillated decorations. But what is sigillated pottery? Sigillas are fine tableware ceramics characterized by a red, grainy glaze and relief, molded, printed or applied decoration. Some pieces are stamped, hence the modern name sigillée, evoking a seal. If the best examples of sigillas are found here, it’s because Lezoux was the main center of production between the Iᵉʳ and IVᵉ centuries AD, exporting its ware massively throughout the Roman Empire.

Your kids have fun at the museum! Workshops and tours

During the school vacations, the Musée de la Céramique sets up creative workshops, a tour just for kids. Along the way, they’ll be able to touch, experiment with and model antique toys, as well as a host of other activities. Your children will have fun at the museum!

Livradois-Forez is one of France’s most wooded regions. And the Comté forest, near Saint-Julien-de-Coppel, is one of the most beautiful forests in this Auvergne Nature Park. La Comté… Its name is reminiscent of the famous imaginary land of British writer J. R. R. Tolkien. Except that it really exists, in another middle land, in the Massif Central.

The Comté forest covers an area of 1,500 hectares, at the foot of the Livradois mountains. The Comté massif offers unique panoramic views from peaks such as Pic du Cheix Blanc and Pic de Dimond. This unique geographical and historical configuration favors a wide diversity of natural habitats, from dense forests to rocky grasslands.

A sensitive natural area

The Comté forest is home to some amazing natural treasures, including rare plants such as the knotty geranium and protected species such as the martagon lily. The fauna is just as diverse, with the presence of large mammals such as roe deer and wild boar, as well as smaller, rare species like the spotted salamander.

Find out more about local biodiversity

Accommodation and restaurants in and around Lezoux

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Activities not to be missed around Lezoux

A stroll through the streets of Lézovienes

As you stroll through the streets of Lezov, you’ll pass by the belfry,Saint-Georges chapel and numerous dovecotes.

The tree-climbing course

And if you want to take to the skies, Lezoux’s accrobranche course awaits you. Two unforgettable zip lines will take you soaring over a body of water.

Limagne Evasion

Finally, just a ten-minute drive away, enjoy an open-air playground: the “Limagne Évasion” paintball field.