Our story
From a fundraising campaign to deep connection
What today is a small company with a big vision began in a quiet, challenging time.
The pottery of Taizé has always been a part of the brothers' lives. People from all over the world traveled to the small village in Burgundy, France, to spend a few days in the brothers' community. Often, at the end of their stay, they took home a hand-thrown piece from the monastery – as a reminder of a time of silence, prayer, and simplicity.
But in 2021, everything changed. The Covid pandemic made travel impossible, and with no visitors, the income stopped as well. During this time, the brothers lived solely off fruit they grew themselves. They did not complain. They worked, prayed, and trusted. Because the brothers do not accept donations – that contradicts their belief "Ora et Labora." Only what they work for themselves should sustain them.
During this time, our founder Charlotte streamed the prayers from Taizé daily to find comfort and guidance in the silence. When she learned of the brothers' hardship, she wanted to help. But donations were not possible. So she had an idea: she bought a large amount of pottery and offered it online. Anyone who wanted to help could do so – by purchasing a piece from the pottery.
The response was overwhelming. Taizé friends around the world were delighted to finally have access to the pottery outside the monastery. Because the brothers themselves do not ship ceramics. But Charlotte does. Initially from a tent in her Salzburg garden. From there, the first packages went out in all directions – each piece a symbol of connection.
What began as a relief effort became a heartfelt mission. From one idea grew a close partnership. Today, we work in deep connection with the Communauté de Taizé and are honored to exclusively distribute the brothers' unique creations. This is how we continue to support the community – with every piece that finds a new home.
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The production process
In our workshop, every step is carefully done by hand – from mixing the clay to the final glaze firing. The clay is produced, shaped, and dried in the monastery itself before being fired at over 1000 °C. Each glaze is also mixed, applied, and fired a second time on-site at up to 1200 °C. This creates stoneware ceramics that remain beautiful for a long time and have a noticeable depth.
Our glazes
Our glazes are made from natural minerals and are developed and produced directly in the monastery. They reflect the surroundings and the silence of Taizé.
There are ten different glazes, each with its own color palette, surface, and mood: Bleu, Matte Bleu, Silver Gray, Bresse Wood, Gousseau, Yellow, Hazelnut, Omnia, Red Kaki, and Temokku. No piece is exactly the same as another – and that is what makes them so vibrant.
Sustainability
We work exclusively with natural raw materials. Our ceramics are durable, timeless, and made to be used for many years. We also pay attention to environmentally friendly solutions in packaging and shipping. We believe: sustainability starts with the material – and ends with conscious use.
History behind La Poterie de Taizé
The pottery of Taizé is rooted in a special history: In the community of the brothers of Taizé, pottery was for decades part of a simple, mindful life and a quiet sign of connection with nature. When the pandemic brought life on site to a halt, a new idea emerged: to bring the ceramics of Taizé from Salzburg to the world. Thus, in 2021, our brand was born to connect old craftsmanship with new paths. Today, with every piece, we carry forward the values that have shaped us: sustainability, meaning, and genuine craftsmanship.
Our team
Behind every product from La Poterie de Taizé are people with a shared belief: that things of value require time, dedication, and mindfulness. Whether in the workshop in Taizé, the warehouse in Salzburg, or our store in Vienna: we work on a small scale for something big. And we do this as a small but cohesive team.
Meet the team
Taizé Community
The Communauté de Taizé is an international ecumenical brotherhood in southern Burgundy, founded in 1940 by Brother Roger as a place of peace, silence, and reconciliation. Today, brothers from various denominations live there together—united through prayer, simplicity, and service to others. Their spirituality is expressed not in words, but in lived trust—even in the quiet, artisanal work with clay.
Learn more about the Communauté