The Gallery
Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste
A unique venue for contemporary ceramics since 1997
Located in Puisaye, a land of fire and creation, Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste
was founded in 1997 through the shared passion of ceramic artists, collectors
and art lovers. Right in the heart of Toucy, opposite the Town Hall and housed
in a beautiful 17the -century private mansion, it has established itself today as
one of the leading venues in France and Europe for contemporary ceramic
art.
Open all year round, the gallery offers a compelling programme of solo
exhibitions devoted to renowned artists who have chosen clay as their
medium of expression. From the outset, the founders wanted to offer an
exhibition space in a rural setting on a par with large urban galleries, both in
terms of the quality of the works presented and the attractiveness of the
venue.
To date, it has hosted over 160 exhibitions and featured exclusively in France
almost as many French and international ceramists, some of whom have
become permanent artists, such as Matthew Chambers, Thomas Bohle, Ursula Morley-Price, Ann Van Hoey, Erna Aaltonen...
Chaque année, le lieu accueille quelque 8000 visiteurs venant de toute la France et l’Europe. Citée dans les sélections d’expositions des magazines et revues d’art ainsi que dans le Guide Vert Michelin et le guide de voyage Lonely Planet, la galerie participe activement à l’attractivité touristique culturelle de la région.
The gallery also develops partnerships with museums and cultural institutions
to allow a wider audience to discover contemporary ceramics. Collaborations
with the Musée d’Art Moderne de Troyes in 2013 and the Maison des Arts de
Châtillon in 2019, as well as the "Carte blanche à la Galerie de l’Ancienne
Poste" exhibition hosted by the famous La Piscine Museum in Roubaix in
2020, reflect the venue’s recognition and a growing interest in this artistic
medium.
See Exhibitions off-site.
At the corner of Lucile Cormier and Philippe Verger streets, the post office was part of everyday life in Toucy until 1968, when a modern facility was built on the edge of town. An antiques shop then took over the premises and remained there until the end of the 20th century.
Isabelle Brunelin’s background was in corporate communication, far removed from clay or age-old traditions. So it came as a surprise when she and her partner, Christophe Alquier, paused during a drive through the Puisaye countryside to visit an exhibition of “contemporary ceramics.” The term itself intrigued them. Though both were passionate about art, they had always assumed ceramics meant functional, utilitarian objects. They were astonished to discover instead a world of originality — a new generation of artists using clay as a medium for bold, contemporary expression.
It didn’t take long for inspiration to strike. The beautiful building of the former post office was vacant. With Isabelle’s communication expertise, Christophe’s creative talent, and the strong ties they had quickly formed with ceramic artists, the couple decided to open a gallery dedicated to ceramic art from around the world. The fact that Toucy is a small town deep in the rural Burgundy did not faze them.
They were driven by a passionate artistic vision. That is how Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste was born.
C. 0'Reilly
Author living and
writing in Toucy
Press
Become a member
Join the Friends of Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste!Created in 1997 to support the gallery’s efforts in promoting contemporary ceramic art, the Association des Amis de la Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste (A.G.A.P.) brings together some 180 members, some of whom have supported the structure since its inception.
In 2025, the association reached a new milestone in its mission by contributing, thanks to donations from its members, to the acquisition of ceramic works by major museum collections.
In addition to invitations to all events organized by the gallery, high-support members (from €150) receive all catalogues published during the year free of charge.
Thanks to its recognised status, donations to A.G.A.P. are eligible for a tax deduction of 66 % in France. »
- President: Isabelle BRUNELIN
- Secretary-General: Joachim GRUNDMANN
- Treasurer: Nathalie PIERLOT
- Reception and Public Engagement: Loris ROUX
To support the AGAP, please select your preferred membership level:
Gallery Partners
Through its commitment to promoting contemporary ceramic art rooted in the heritage of Puisaye and its distinctive approach in a rural setting, Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste benefits from the support of the DRAC (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs) and local authorities.
Contact
In the charming small town of Toucy, in the heart of Puisaye and under two hours from Paris via the A6 motorway, the Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste welcomes you in a 17th-century private mansion opposite the town hall.
24 rue Philippe Verger (place de l’Hôtel de Ville)
89130 TOUCY
+33 (0)3 86 74 33 00
contact@galerie-ancienne-poste.com
Opening Hours
Thursday - Sunday
10 am – 12:30 pm
3 -7 pm
