A short distance from the stunning medieval town of Uzès, the village of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie lives up to its name. Wander the narrow lanes and you’ll notice potteries seem to be on every street. This is no ordinary village – here clay isn’t just a craft – it’s a way of life. Discover more in our guide to Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie…
Guide to Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie
“Saint-Quentin” takes its name from a 3rd-century Christian martyr, a reminder of the area’s ancient spiritual roots. But it’s the second part of the name, la Poterie, that tells the real story. Added officially in 1886, the name recognised what had defined the village for centuries: pottery. Long before it became part of the official title, clay shaped both the economy and everyday life here.
The village’s pottery origins date back to Gallo-Roman times. Archaeologists have uncovered fragments of amphorae and everyday wares, evidence that this was once a thriving centre of ceramic production. By the Middle Ages, the village had become known for its utilitarian pottery such as jugs, oil jars, and traditional cooking pots called ‘toupins’ which were sold all over southern France. The floor tiles of the Palais des Papes in Avignon are believed to have some from Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie.
The 19th century brought decline, as industrial production replaced handmade goods. By the early 20th century, the craft was all but lost. Then, in the 1960s and ’70s, a revival began. Artists and artisans began returning to the village, drawn by the quality of the clay, the beauty of the landscape, and the chance to revive a disappearing tradition. What began as a small creative resurgence has grown into a flourishing artistic community.
Pottery & Artisan Studios
Visit Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie today and you’ll find some 45 artisans working in studios scattered throughout the village, as well as several galleries. Some potters use traditional techniques, shaping rustic terracotta forms, while others push boundaries with contemporary designs.
As pretty as it is, with flower festooned, and tiled streets and pottery decorations everywhere from delicate butterflies, to tiled paving and even a life-sized woman sitting on a bench, this is not a museum village – it’s a working one. Studio doors are often open, inviting visitors to watch as clay is thrown, shaped, and transformed, like at the atelier/gallery of Hélène Lathoumétie at 5 rue de la Fontaine. Here Hélène, inspired by nature, creates ethereal pieces from earrings to teapots, bowls and more unusual objects like a quilt lined porcelain muff! Her pieces are delicately formed, often with lace-like features, and coloured with soft pastels.
And the artists love to chat to visitors about their own and other potter’s work, they don’t compete but collaborate, and often several potters will share studio and shop space.
You’ll see everything from classic Provençal olive jars to sculptural vases and elegant, hand-thrown tableware. Bring a sturdy bag; you’ll be tempted to take home fragile treasures. You can even take a pottery lesson (details via the tourist office).
Visit on the first weekend in May for a braderie when potters hold a market of their wares; in July, there’s a major annual pottery event for ceramic art and contemporary creation in France and Europe – the Terralha Festival, which features artisans from across Europe, and packed programme including hands-on workshops, film screenings, exhibitions at the at the Museum of Mediterranean Pottery and the Terra Viva Gallery, talks, and more.
To fully appreciate the depth of this tradition, a visit to the Musée de la Poterie Méditerranéenne is essential. Housed in a former old mill, the museum traces the evolution of pottery across the Mediterranean, with a strong focus on the region’s heritage. Displays range from ancient amphorae to modern ceramics, offering insight into techniques such as glazing, firing, and shaping.
It’s a small museum, but it has a fascinating display which ranges from ancient amphorae to modern ceramics and is perfect for not just the techniques of glazing and firing but also for understanding how something as simple as a clay vessel connects centuries of human life.
Food & Drink
There are plenty of excellent restaurants in the village and nothing beats lunch on a shaded terrace. Nearby vineyards produce wines that pair beautifully with local dishes, while the twice weekly market (Tuesday and Friday) bursts with colour: olives, honey, herbs and seasonal produce reflecting the same earthy palette as the pottery itself.
Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie is a village where tradition isn’t preserved behind glass, it’s still being lived, shaped, and reinvented every day.
Discover more about Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie: uzes-pontdugard.com/en
