The French town of Soufflenheim, an hour or so north of Strassburg, has been home to a large number of potteries dating back to Roman times.
While many small towns today undertake substantial efforts to find a theme, or become "a brand", Soufflenheim does not have to worry about that. Their cookware is going strong and affordable.
As the Stars and Stripes put it: not cheap but affordable.
This website of Richard Hausswirth (in French) is a great example of traditional designs and colors. This web site of the Poterie Lehmann (in English) shows how potters have branched out into decorative items, for example a small bretzel.
The town of about 5 000 is very walkable, so park at one of the many free parking areas, and leisurely explore.
Even if you plan to buy that Kougelhopf for life, try several shops to get a better idea of products and prices.
Some potteries give you a glimpse into the manufacturing area, just ask if you are curious.
Modern technology has brought some discord to the fraternity of potters. We'll share this with you, so you don't have to ask.
Do not expect to see neat rows of clay covered folks at pottery wheels.
Some individually hand made items are still done this way, but products for everyday use would be prohibitively expensive.
Presses are used for faster and more competitive production. The site crawfishandcaramel has a good description of this process.
So far, everybody agrees this is "traditional", but the introduction of slip casting - shown in this youtube video at a British factory - is anathema to the traditionalists.
The uniform, easy to make slip ware (not to confuse with the glazing method called slipware) is frowned upon by some pottery makers in Soufflenheim.
How can you recognize either completely handmade or press made and hand-finished pottery?
Take a plate or a cup and turn it upside down. If the unglazed underside is white or almost white, you are looking at a slip cast piece.
If the underside is darker and rougher, it is pressed or all handmade.
Check the handle of several cups or jugs for vertical alignment. Small differences or a depression with some material squeezed to either side indicate they were put on by hand.
Last but not least, ask how long an item should be soaked in cold water before first use.
If the answer is 12 hours or longer, you have a press or handmade piece.
What we did not find in Soufflenheim was a claymation studio. Wouldn't a claymation movie starring a kougelhopf be cool?
One company does clay sculptures, very cute ones like this 2 foot pharao.
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