The old tuileries
The old Aupeix tile factories, in the hamlet of Puycheny, were in operation from the 18th to the middle of the 20th century.
At the same time place of memory and transmission they offer today to the visitor a space of discovery, history and sharing of know-how between the generations. From the discovery of clay in the old quarries to the shaping of flat tiles, you will discover an amazing environment, an atypical architecture and an ancestral know-how.
Today, the site of Puycheny still has two tile factories in activity: The Tuilerie Aupeix and the Tuilerie de Puycheny.
La Lande à Serpentine : old clay quarries
La Lande à Serpentine of La Rousseille-Puycheny is a remarkable natural site of the network of Nature and Discovery Spaces of the Haute-Vienne.
Formerly exploited mainly for clay, these old quarries have gradually given way to an exceptional natural environment.
The Atelier-Musée de la Terre invites you to come and discover the richness of this area thanks to various nature activities in this atypical natural site full of history.
The workshop
A space dedicated to the plastic arts and the discovery of clay, the workshop is located in an old barn rehabilitated to welcome the public. A bright and warm space, it is equipped with all the necessary material to explore the possibilities with clay.
Throughout the year, modeling workshops, creative workshops, free expression workshops, training courses and training are offered.
The clay of Puycheny, a land of character, is used and any firing is done by the Association’s partner tile makers.
Our Services
Guided tours
Demonstration of traditional know-how
Tile workshops
Free or themed workshops : one-off and weekly
Courses, internships, training
Film Screening
Land’Art outings
Storytelling walks
Theme outings
Gift store
Coffee and refreshments
The association and the team
Created in 1992, the Association des Amis des Tuileries du Limousin was born from the will of Huguette Billaudelle and Jean-Claude Mazerolas, as well as of all the people who saw this architectural and craft heritage so particular being lost. Its main mission is to “preserve the cultural, technical and real estate heritage related to the manufacture of clay building materials, as well as the economic and touristic development of the brick factories of the area”.
In 1994, the creation of the “Atelier-Musée de la Terre” (Earthenware Museum Workshop) made it possible to create a place of memory and transmission on the site of a former tile factory. The site has gradually evolved and the Association has strengthened its reception offer. Today, it has 4 employees, the site is open all year round and welcomes more than 6500 visitors.
L’équipe de l’Atelier-Musée de la Terre currently consists of four people:
- Laurine Canion – Administrative officer
- Mélanie Chevalier – In charge of animation and cultural mediation
- Arnaud Pauthier – In charge of animation and cultural mediation
- Ludivine Pellico-Rousseau – In charge of heritage and tourism development
The shop
The Mazerolas space is our home store. Formerly a bar/grocery store, this space has always been a friendly meeting place for the tile makers and the inhabitants of Puycheny when the hamlet was in full activity.
It is in this spirit that we welcome you from Monday to Friday and some weekends during our festive events or during the summer season.
The store includes :
- Creations in clay from Puycheny, made by employees or volunteers of the Association
- Creations of craftsmen in deposit-sale, having a link with the arts of the fire or with the natural elements present on the site
- Books or DVDs on the tile-making heritage
