Our story
From a fundraising campaign to deep connection
What is now a small company with a big vision began in a quiet, challenging time.
Taizé pottery 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 with the brothers. Often, at the end of their stay, they took home a handmade piece from the monastery—as a memento of a time of silence, prayer, and simplicity.
But in 2021, everything changed. The COVID-19 pandemic made travel impossible, and with the lack of visitors, income also dried up. During this time, the brothers lived exclusively on homegrown fruit. They didn't complain. They worked, prayed, and trusted. The brothers don't accept donations—that contradicts their tenet of "Ora et Labora." They should only support what they earn themselves.
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' plight, she wanted to help. But donations weren't possible. So she came up with an idea: She bought a large quantity of the 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 all over the world were delighted to finally have access to the pottery outside the monastery. The brothers themselves don't ship ceramics. But Charlotte did. Initially, it was from a tent in her Salzburg garden. From there, the first packages went out in all directions – each piece a symbol of solidarity.
What began as a relief effort became a labor of love. An idea grew into a close partnership. Today, we work closely with the Taizé Community and are privileged to distribute the brothers' unique products exclusively. This is how we continue to support the community today – with every piece that finds a new home.
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The production process
In our workshop, every step is carefully executed 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 and applied on-site, and fired a second time at up to 1200°C. This creates stoneware ceramics that retain their beauty for a long time and possess a tangible depth.
Our glazes
Our glazes are made from natural minerals and are developed and produced directly at the monastery. They reflect the surroundings and tranquility of Taizé.
There are ten different glazes, each with its own color scheme, surface, and mood: Blue, Blue Mat, Silver Grey, Bresse Wood, Gousseau, Yellow, Noisette, Omnia, Red Kaki, and Temokku. No two pieces are exactly alike—and that's precisely what makes them so vibrant.
sustainability
We work exclusively with natural raw materials. Our ceramics are durable, timeless, and crafted to last for years. We also strive for environmentally friendly solutions in packaging and shipping. We believe that sustainability begins with the material and ends with conscious use.
History behind La Poterie de Taizé
La Poterie de Taizé is rooted in a special history: For decades, in the Taizé community, pottery was part of a simple, mindful life and a silent symbol of connection with nature. When the pandemic brought local life to a standstill, a new idea emerged: to bring Taizé ceramics to the world via Salzburg. Thus, in 2021, our brand was born, combining traditional craftsmanship with new approaches. Today, with every piece, we carry forward the values that have shaped us: sustainability, meaning, and authentic craftsmanship.
Our team
Behind every La Poterie de Taizé product are people with a shared conviction: that valuable things require time, dedication, and attention. 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.
Get to know the team
Taizé Community
The Taizé Community is an international ecumenical brotherhood in southern Burgundy, founded in 1940 by Brother Roger as a place of peace, silence, and reconciliation. Today, brothers of different denominations live there together, united by prayer, simplicity, and service to others. Their spirituality is expressed not in words, but in lived trust—including in the quiet, artisanal work with clay.
Learn more about the community