On May 19th, Mr. Swede and I toured the Sevres porcelain factory on the outskirts of Paris. I had always loved the quality of Sevres work but never imagined I would visit their museum. [You do know that I am not the kind of pre trip planner who studies every map, review and book before I go! I'm lucky if my passport is still current.] You can purchase a Museum Pass at the lower level office at the Louvre [I highly recommend getting a pass]. When I looked at the list of what museums it covered, Sevres was on there. Mr. Swede wanted to go and lead the way -- good thing I had a personal tour guide as he knew how to get there.
When you get off the train and come up to ground level, you cross the street and then cross over a bridge and it is right there. You can see it when you get to the bridge.
It had been raining so this photo is a bit misty.
You have arrived. Museum of French ceramics.
As you enter the courtyard, Mr. Bernard Palissy's monument is there. The dates are 1510 to 1590. Notice how tall the blue and white vases are compared to the tourist at the door.
He is the guy that Palissyware is named after.
When you enter there is a bookstore on your left and the ticket desk. I only found one book printed in English. And, before I go any further, I want to tell you that I had been pronouncing Sevres wrong. When I asked the guy at the desk about books in English, he very swiftly corrected me. It is "Sev' RUH". I had been saying "Sev-zzzzz".
Then you go up these marble stairs to the exhibits. I think these paintings are done on porcelain not canvas.
You enter a large red room and see all these gigantic vases. I do mean HUGE. The pedestal supports they are on is above my waist and the tops of the vases are way, way, way above my head.
The other side of the room.
My brain just could not grasp all the details of these or understand how an artist could design and make one -- mind boggling to think of what all would have been involved in those years before electricity to produce such masterpieces.
Here are a few close ups of the details. Love the little white face towards the top. I could take this one home.
This really makes me aware that I have no true talent in artistry. I think the lettering says it was made for the President of the Republic of France.
So fabulous. How do they do it?
Pretty green plate. The side rooms were full of glass cabinets with displays of china they had produced there.
Always learning something new - I had never seen this style of deep protective saucer before. Sort of like a little tutu. Sorry but this was taken through security glass.
How about this?
Must be for Louis Philippe Prince Regent. I kept seeing RF on things and finaly figured out that meant Republic of France. I want to find one of these at a garage sale, don't you?
Looks like Madame DuBerry shopped there.
And, Catherine The Great of Russia came by for a little shopping.
I just know that if Mr. Swede would let me spend the summer traveling around to all the flea markets in France, I would find some of this. Well, I won't bore you with all the photos of dishes in this museum.
The worst part of it was we were there on a Saturday and the gift shop was CLOSED!!!! They told us where their retail store was in Paris and we went there the next day. Can you believe it was CLOSED for remodeling and was going to open back up on May 30th after we had gone home? Oh well, Mr. Swede now knows where it is. Remember, honey, it is near that pharmacy.
A little history. There was not ONE poster in English in the entire museum. I was just kicking myself that I didn't take French in college.
I wouldn't mind using this desk to pay my bills or use my laptop.
Here is one of the factory buildings where they make porcelain. It was under some rennovation. We could not go in. I really wanted to watch the process.
If you plan to visit the museum, I hope this gives you a little glimpse of what to expect.
Summer
Photos: Swede
