According to the stories and words of our ancestors, the Pichon house dates from 1802.
It all starts with Toussaint Pichon. He likes to walk and explore the Uzetian landscapes. He observes and notices that the soil of the lands of Uzès is rich in clay. From this deduction and driven by his ambition, he decides to change careers and become a potter. If he already worked the earth in its raw state as a mason, he now decided to sublimate this earth, his earth, and transform it into an object of art.
The first store is located on Route d’Alais. It is basically run by François Pichon born in 1804 and his brother Nicolas. It was they who gradually abandoned the creation of utilitarian objects and initiated the creation of the first woven baskets. François also invented the legendary marble technique, known as mixed earths, obtained from mixtures of earths. He passed on his techniques and knowledge to his sons Nicolas-auguste-Marie, Jules and Alphonse. The latter bring the Pichon house to its excellence by creating true works of art. They are renowned throughout the world, allowing them to be requested and exhibited in multiple places such as the Vatican or the Borias Museum in Uzès.
It is the turn of Paul Pichon, son of Nicolas-Auguste-Marie, to take over. He is the one who created our first table services and the first enamels in the colors Pichon green, Pichon yellow and White.
He gives in to his son Henry who is a close friend of the Duchess of Uzès. Wishing to work the land with him, the duchess expressed her wish to join him in his workshops. But, embarrassed to mix the latter with his employees, Henry refuses. However, every problem has its solution, she replies: “I will have premises built for you which will be exclusive to me. And when I stop, you'll use it as a desk. » (This office is still in place, place of the old Céramique Pichon.)
In the heyday of Henry Pichon, sixth generation, he employed 20 people. At this time, more than a hundred molds, cicada table services, dishes, decorations, etc. are created.
Henry then bequeaths the keys to the Pichon house to his son Jean-Paul. This expands the range of table services and colors, including glossy black. Being very close to JeanPierre Deméry (Souleiado), he matched his Roses, Blue America colors to those of Souleiado. Together, they created a partnership that allowed Maison Pichon to be sold in boutiques around the world.
On the other hand, with his wife and son, he goes to Paris every year to participate in the “Salon Pass” which becomes, a few years later, “Maison & Objet”. Pichon's notoriety then goes beyond borders and oceans.
Jean-Paul, seventh generation, is also part of the Paris association (Les Grands Ateliers de France). During one of these events Catherine Deneuve passes in front of her stand. While talking with Jean-Paul, she admits to him that she eats from his plates every day since she bought them in a shop in the Saint-Sulpice district.
Jean-Paul also receives a visit from the brotherhood of Château Neuf du Pape which, following a problem with its supplier, comes urgently. The brotherhood asks him to make amphorae, by aging them, for the next cup-bearing which will be held two months later. Maison Pichon accepted this order which was, for us, one of the most flattering challenges due to the number of pieces ordered and given the tight schedule.
Finally, the eighth generation of earthenware makers is represented by Christophe Pichon, son of Jean-Paul. He joined the company in 1987 and took over the reins in 1995. He developed the Ivory, Cloud, Celadon, Sand and other shades. From 9 colors, we go to 21. At the same time, with the keen eye of Jacqueline Morabito, he created the Louis XV Campagne service. In the United States, in the 90s, the Pierre Deux company, which popularized Provence among Americans, was one of our clients.
He has worked for a long time with star chefs like Michel Guérard (three-star chef). He also became the business partner of Edouard Loubet, at the time the youngest chef to receive a star. Having built very strong bonds of trust, we gave his name to one of our past services.
In 2021, the workshop takes on new momentum and is modernized. Christophe, still in charge of the creation and manufacturing part, is now supported by a team of collaborators, whom the soul of Maison Pichon Uzès was able to touch at first contact.
The continuation of the saga in the next episode!
