Henrichemont: Urban History and Ceramic Culture

Henrichemont brings together a distinctive town foundation and the pottery tradition of La Borne. The town was founded in 1609 by Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, and was intended to become the capital of the sovereign Principality of Boisbelle. For planning your trip, this offers two distinct areas of interest: Henrichemont’s unusual layout and the ceramic history of the hamlet of La Borne.

Henrichemont as a Planned New Town

The original town plan was laid out as a compass rose. Eight main streets radiate from a square central plaza. The geometry gives the founding idea a clear form: the plaza is the center of the plan, from which the streets fan out in different directions. Henrichemont is considered a rare example of an ideal 17th-century new town. Its design combines symmetry, ditches, ramparts and bastions with an emphasis on architectural aesthetics.

A specific reference point in the town’s history is the Maison dite de Sully. It is partially listed as a historic monument. Of the pavilions that stood on the four main streets, it is the only one to have preserved elements of its original fittings. Two aspects of the town’s history thus come together in this house: its partial listing as a monument and the surviving part of its original fittings. This helps connect the overall plan to a named building and a specific historical detail.

La Borne: Pottery, Museums and Exhibitions

La Borne lies partly in Henrichemont and partly in Morogues. Pottery-making in the hamlet has been documented in writing since the 16th century. Traditional production includes stoneware household items. Folk imagery is also part of the pottery tradition and is highly sought after by collectors. Here, then, ceramics are more than just a material: traditional household production and imagery are distinct aspects of the same tradition.

The Musée de La Borne is housed in a chapel in the heart of the pottery village, the Chapelle St Jean Baptiste, and is dedicated to traditional pottery. Its remarkable collection includes ceramics from the 18th to the 20th century. The Centre Céramique Contemporaine La Borne has a different focus: it presents works by local, French and international artists. As a permanent exhibition venue for ACLB members, it also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring invited artists and ceramicists.

The Centre Céramique Contemporaine La Borne also offers practical insights into working with clay: in workshops, you can learn clay-working techniques. Another testament to the history of ceramics is Vassil Ivanoff’s studio and kiln in La Borne. Both are included in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Together, the museum, exhibitions, workshops and protected studios offer different ways to engage with ceramics: through historic collections, contemporary works and the working of the material.

Visits and Events

Guided tours of Henrichemont are available on request. In La Borne, Les Grands Feux focuses on firing in wood-fired kilns. The annual event includes public loading, firing and unloading of the kilns. If you would like to include Les Grands Feux in your travel plans, check the event dates for your preferred period. This allows you to explore the town’s history and pottery tradition through different experiences: a guided tour on request or this annual event.

At Étang du Petit-Bois and on the Bike

At the edge of Henrichemont, in the direction of Les Aix d’Angillon, lies Étang du Petit-Bois. Visitors can picnic and fish there; play facilities for children, as well as tables and benches, are also available. The site thus combines the activities mentioned by the water with facilities for a break. It offers a different focus from the town planning and ceramic sites.

For mountain biking enthusiasts, the VRR-FFC Hautes Terres Vives en Berry area offers a free guide to mountain bike routes. Eleven marked circuits are open from mid-March to mid-October. This seasonal period sets the activity apart from the cultural and historical themes of the town and La Borne. When choosing your travel dates, you can therefore consider whether the town layout, the pottery tradition or the marked circuits are most important to your plans.

For an overview of the wider area: Cher.