Sevres

Sevres is a French commune, in the south-west Paris, 9.9 km from the official centre. Sevres is perhaps most known, among other things in history like Protocol of Sevres and Pavillon de Breteuil which houses the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (International Bureau of Weights and Measures), for its porcelain and ceramics. The commune has a rich history in porcelain making which dates back to the 18th century. Perhaps the most famous of Sevres pottery belongs to the Manufacture nationale de Sevres, a formerly royal, then imperial, and now governmental (French Ministry of Culture) porcelain factory in the heart of the commune.

Set up in 1756 on the insistence of Louis XV, the Manufacture Nationale de Sevres has since then produced kaolin-less (as kaolin was not available in France at that time) pottery made from a softer paste which was almost translucent. The factory has a rich heritage and place in French culture and has produced porcelain and ceramic products earlier for princes and kings, and now for the presidency of the Republic and various ministries.

120 master craftsmen working in 27 workshops, using trade secrets, bring alive the magic of Sevres porcelain. Authentic and rare items from the house of Manufacture nationale de Sevres are much sought after by connoisseurs of French art.