The Gallery
La Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste
Un lieu unique de la céramique contemporaine depuis 1997
Implantée en Puisaye, terre de feu et de création, la Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste est née en 1997 de la rencontre entre artistes céramistes, collectionneurs et amateurs de céramique. En plein cœur de Toucy, face à l’Hôtel de Ville et dans un bel hôtel particulier du XVIIe siècle, elle s’impose aujourd’hui comme la référence incontournable en France et en Europe dans le domaine de la céramique artistique contemporaine.
Open all year round, the gallery offers a demanding program of solo exhibitions devoted to renowned artists who have chosen the earth as their mode 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, the gallery has organized more than 160 exhibitions and presented almost as many French and international ceramists exclusively in France, 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 Michelin Green Guide and travel guide Lonely PlanetThe gallery plays an active role in the region's cultural tourist appeal.
La galerie développe également des partenariats avec les musées et les institutions culturelles afin de permettre à un public plus large de découvrir la céramique contemporaine. Les collaborations avec le musée d’Art moderne de Troyes en 2013 et la Maison des Arts de Châtillon (Hauts-de-Seine) en 2019 ainsi que l’exposition « Carte blanche à la Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste » offerte par le célèbre musée La Piscine de Roubaix en 2020, témoignent de la reconnaissance du lieu et d’un intérêt grandissant pour ce médium d’expression artistique.
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 all the countries. 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 who lives and writes in Toucy
Press
Become a member
Rejoignez les Amis de la Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste !Created in 1997 to support the gallery's efforts to promote 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.
En 2025, l’association franchit une nouvelle étape de sa mission en contribuant grâce aux dons de ses membres à l’entrée d’œuvres céramiques dans les grandes collections des musées.
In addition to invitations to all events organized by the gallery, high-support members (from €150) receive all catalogs published during the year free of charge.
Support for the structure via the A.G.A.P. is recognized by the public authorities thanks to a tax ruling that allows donors to reclaim 66 % of the amount of their contribution.
- President: Isabelle BRUNELIN
- General Secretary: Joachim GRUNDMANN
- Trésorière: Nathalie PIERLOT
- In charge of reception and mediation: Loris ROUX
Pour soutenir l’Association des Amis de la Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, cochez la case de votre choix :
Contact
Dans la charmante petite ville de Toucy au cœur de la Puisaye, à moins de 2 heures de Paris par l’autoroute A6, la Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste vous accueille au sein d’un hôtel particulier du XVIIe siècle situé face à la mairie.
24 rue Philippe Verger (place de l’Hôtel de Ville)
89130 TOUCY
+33 (0)3 86 74 33 00
contact@galerie-ancienne-poste.com
Horaires d’ouverture :
Thursday - Sunday
10 h – 12 h30
3pm -7pm
