In place of the small garden in front of the tourist office was the old town hall and its adjoining prison. In 1954, you could still see the façade of the prison, which was mainly used after the Revolution.
Three old houses followed, including that of a grocer and a wheelwright. This block of buildings underwent 4 years of renovation in 2002.
In 2006, the Centre d’interprétation du patrimoine martrais, now the Musée de la faïence, opened its doors to the public.
On the ground floor is the Tourist Information Office of the Cœur de Garonne Intercommunal Tourist Office. BIT staff are responsible for opening and providing information about the Museum (located upstairs).
Located in the town’s historic centre, the exhibition is housed in a 380m2 building that combines three old houses that have been completely remodelled. Visits to the Museum are free of charge.
The visit begins on the ground floor, where a space is dedicated to the village’s craftsmen (and more particularly the earthenware makers still in business). You’ll also see some unique pieces created in collaboration with the various Salons des Arts et du Feu, the village’s flagship event for over 25 years.
The first floor is dedicated to the history of the village, with a special section on the village’s rich ancient history, including a plan of the famous Roman villa at Chiragan. There is also a room dedicated to the legend of Saint-Vidian (patron saint of the village).
Another room is dedicated to the history of earthenware in France, and more specifically in Martres-Tolosane. Various objects and a short video explain the stages in the manufacture of earthenware in Martres. A display case is dedicated to the decorations, their history and the techniques used to create them.
The second floor is mainly devoted to Martres earthenware. There is an impressive and magnificent collection of old earthenware. This area offers an exhaustive overview of the different styles, motifs and representations of local earthenware since the early 18th century.
You’ll also find unique pieces created in collaboration with various Salons des Arts et du Feu, the village’s flagship event for the past 23 years. A number of pieces by leading European ceramists (Modra, Naval, etc.) are also on display.
A small temporary exhibition room also hosts around 3 exhibitions a year (crafts or art more generally).
This exceptional space will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026.
This exceptional space will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026. For the occasion, the museum’s usual exhibitions have been changed: exhibitions involving the local population, and a focus on earthenware workshops past and present. The location of the museum on the map is not exact.
