Quimper has been producing its distinctive hand-painted faïence pottery since the late 17th century, and this museum, housed in the old Henriot factory, tells the full story. The collection spans three centuries of production, from the earliest pieces — heavily influenced by Rouen and Nevers styles — through the development of the characteristic Breton peasant figures and floral motifs that made Quimper pottery famous across Europe.
The exhibit traces how the pottery evolved from a local craft into an export commodity sought by collectors worldwide, particularly in the United States and Britain. You can watch demonstrations of the hand-painting technique that still sets genuine Quimper faïence apart from mass-produced imitations. The factory shop adjacent to the museum sells the full current range, which makes for better souvenirs than most of what you find in the old town.