Malicorne is a charming little town about 45 minutes from the château des Briottières, on the way to the Sarthe Valley. It has a special place in the history of the Loire Valley, thanks its mastery of earthenware, as you will see in the dedicated museum.
L’Espace Faïence is a space entirely dedicated to the decorative earthenware which made the reputation of Malicorne throughout the world. It is dedicated to the town’s age-old savoir-faire in the production of these precious products which, in addition to being useful on a day-to-day basis, also demonstrate French finesse.
In this space, the Musée de la Faïence displays the items in a particularly instructive manner, because in addition to the hundreds of exhibits, it also shows the complex process which transforms clay into these beautifully enamelled finished products.
The Musée de la Faïence particularly benefits from its location on a former production site with its gigantic reverse flame kiln. A dramatisation of the manufacturing process gives visitors a real impression of the atmosphere of the workshops. On the old production site there is also a workshop which allows children and adults to get hands-on with the clay, the raw material used to make plates, soup bowls and other objects.The Musée de la Faïence regularly puts on artistic events and temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent exhibits.
Although famous for its pottery, Malicorne also has a particularly rich architectural heritage. Dating from the eleventh century, the church of Saint-Sylvestre is a monument that appeals both for its authentic style and for the pieces that it houses, including the altarpiece and recumbent statue.
During the summer you can also visit the Château de Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, a Renaissance building, which owes its huge and attractive moat to its predecessor on the site.
In the commune, the slag mill is also a must-see. Its creation is closely linked to the art of pottery, because it was used to grind the waste from the metalworking industry. The resulting product is used to give the ceramics their vitrified appearance.
Chateau des Briottières 
