{"id":9428,"date":"2026-09-09T22:34:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T20:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bordeaux-citytours.com\/?p=9428"},"modified":"2026-09-11T16:33:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T14:33:29","slug":"ceramiques-corps-sensibles-at-the-madd-in-bordeaux-the-reopening-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bordeaux-citytours.com\/en\/heritage\/ceramiques-corps-sensibles-at-the-madd-in-bordeaux-the-reopening-exhibition\/","title":{"rendered":"“C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” at the MADD in Bordeaux: the reopening exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"

After four years of renovation work, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design reopens its doors on rue Bouffard, inside the historic H\u00f4tel de Lalande. For this rebirth, the MADD<\/a> makes a strong statement with “C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” (Ceramics, Sensitive Bodies), an exhibition bringing together 80 pieces from every continent, spanning from the 3rd millennium BCE to the most contemporary creations.<\/p>\n

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At a glance<\/p>\n

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Exhibition<\/strong>“C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” (Ceramics, Sensitive Bodies)<\/span><\/div>\n
Location<\/strong>MADD, Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 39 rue Bouffard, Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n
Dates<\/strong>22 April 2026 to 4 January 2028<\/span><\/div>\n
Admission<\/strong>\u20ac4.50<\/span><\/div>\n
Curator<\/strong>B\u00e9reng\u00e8re Bussioz<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What does the “C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” exhibition show?<\/h2>\n

The exhibition sets 80 ceramic pieces side by side, from the oldest, shaped nearly 5,000 years ago, to works by today’s artists, revealing the permanence of forms and the richness of a deeply cultural material. Over 40 artists and artisans are featured, each showing a distinct way of shaping, firing, and refining clay.<\/p>\n

The exhibition is enriched with audio and video archives that show artists and craftspeople in their workshops: the gestures of throwing on a wheel, a kiln heating up, hands kneading clay. A way of understanding that behind every piece lies a body at work with the material, hence the exhibition’s title.<\/p>\n

Why does this exhibition mark the MADD’s reopening?<\/h2>\n

Closed for four years for major renovation, the museum reopens on 22 April 2026 with the wing along rue Boulan: reception, shop, restaurant and new exhibition spaces, along with the site’s former prison. The historic mansion, still under renovation, is due to welcome the public in 2027. “C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” thus inaugurates this new chapter for the museum, in the historic heart of the Saint-Pierre district.<\/p>\n

How much time should you plan for the visit?<\/h2>\n

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to explore the exhibition comfortably, taking time to listen to the audio archives and to linger over both the oldest pieces and the contemporary creations.<\/p>\n

Is this exhibition suitable for all audiences?<\/h2>\n

Yes: the exhibition appeals both to decorative arts enthusiasts and to newcomers discovering the MADD for the first time on the occasion of its reopening. No prior knowledge is needed to appreciate the diversity of techniques and origins on display.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Bordeaux City Tours’ tip<\/p>\n

The MADD sits at the heart of the Saint-Pierre district, among cobbled streets, 18th-century fa\u00e7ades and gourmet addresses: the perfect opportunity to extend your visit with a stroll through this historic neighbourhood, just steps from Place du Parlement and the banks of the Garonne.<\/p>\n

The MADD is about a 4-minute walk from the Gambetta stop of our Bordeaux Visiotour Hop-on Hop-off bus, ideal for easily reaching the Grand Th\u00e9\u00e2tre and the Triangle d\u2019Or before or after your visit.<\/p>\n

Discover our tours<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n
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How long does it take to visit the “C\u00e9ramiques, corps sensibles” exhibition?<\/h3>\n
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Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the exhibition alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the admission price?<\/h3>\n
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\u20ac4.50 for entry to the exhibition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Until when can I see this exhibition in Bordeaux?<\/h3>\n
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The exhibition runs from 22 April 2026 to 4 January 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Is the MADD fully reopened?<\/h3>\n
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No, only the wing along rue Boulan and the former prison are accessible from April 2026; the historic mansion will reopen in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Where exactly is the MADD in Bordeaux?<\/h3>\n
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At 39 rue Bouffard, in the Saint-Pierre district, right in the historic centre of Bordeaux.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n