An interest in clay can be something spontaneous, but for Louis-Eric Solano who founded SOLARGIL  with his wife Marie-Laure in 1985 it was second nature coming as he does from a family background both of Puisaye potters going back to the 16th century and Spanish ceramists. 

As a consequence SOLARGIL is capable of offering today the choice between stoneware clays from their local quarries of Moutiers, St Amand and Treigny, and red, pink or white earthenware clays from Spain. To complement its range SOLARGIL also offers materiels as well as diverse pottery equipment.

Over the years SOLARGIL has built up close co-operative relationships with its customers as a result of a genuine, keen interest in their creative work and development. 

With its foundations firmly embedded in clay, the wooded countryside of the Puisaye was inevitably to become "potters' country".

Indeed since before the 16th century woodfired, handthrown stoneware with its pleasant shapes, warm tones and natural textures, has been made here. The industry was maintained by indigenous families of potters then to be handed on to, and often re-envigorated by potters from all over the world interested in bringing innovation to local methods. Renowned potters, their decorative works of art and their many-coloured glazes have since left their trace.

Puisaye pottery is today more alive than ever, maintaining its traditions, yet diversifying into other media and styles varying from porcelain to majolica ware and even sculpture.

From the quarry to the artists studio, via our mills and workshops, clay of quality maintains its reputation.