The history of the famous bowl

An invitation to hot chocolate and a slice of salted butter, this souvenir of vacations in Armorica is none other than the Bol Breton. A symbol of our French culture, the Bol Breton cradled the childhood of a good number of people from French Britanny, yet behind this everyday object lies a history of know-how that has spanned the centuries.

The creation of this vessel dates back to the 18th century, in the heart of Quimper, the famous Breton city. It was at the Henriot earthenware factory that the ceramic bowl saw the light of day. Its first use was for morning soup, inspired by the various containers used by peasants at the time. For greater practicality, the famous "ears" were added later, giving it its definitive shape in 1950 by Raymond Cordier, workshop manager at the Faïencerie de Pornic, a small town in the Loire-Atlantique region.

The Breton bowl is not considered as such without a series of added steps and aesthetics that made it famous starting from 1936, with the introduction of the first paid vacations that boosted tourism in Brittany. First and foremost, it is characterized by its white color and a hand-applied blue border using a sponge technique. At the base of the bowl, you find unchanged folkloric Breton motifs, giving it its distinctive appeal. Finally, the unique feature of this renowned vessel lies in the calligraphy placed between its two handles: the famous customizable first name. An authentic bowl will always bear the signature of its painter or calligrapher, accompanied by the workshop's stamp. Copied but never equaled, this iconic souvenir is created only in Quimper and Pornic. While both workshops offer this product, the 100% artisanal creation technique made in Brittany belongs to the Quimper workshop, which has been crafting the item from A to Z since its inception.

In the Loire region, the Pornic earthenware factory produces a larger number of Breton bowls (approx. 300,000 / year), but claims to produce only earthenware and calligraphy. The motif is applied mechanically, while the base of the bowl is imported from Portugal. As a result, prices are not the same for this version as for purely local products. The Quimper bowl, which smells of iodine and buckwheat, will sell for 35/40€, while the version from Pornic will cost around 9€.

During your stay at the campsite, we invite you to visit the Pornic earthenware factory and discover this cherished part of our craftsmanship. You can also personalize your own bowls in calligraphy workshops.

Address Faïencerie Pornic :
Rue de la Faïencerie, 44210 Pornic
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Visits : 
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.