Poterie Lehmann

Poterie Lehmann is one of Alsace’s most celebrated artisan potteries, producing authentic handmade ceramics from the village of Soufflenheim since the family entered the craft in 1888. Now in its fourth generation, the workshop is led by sisters Kathia and Sylvie Lehmann Barth, who have inherited the ancestral techniques and spirit of their forebears while bringing fresh energy and creative vision to the tradition. The pottery of Soufflenheim is characterized by its rich, earthy colors — reds, yellows, greens, and blues — applied to terracotta forms in floral, figurative, and geometric patterns, often inspired by the region’s flora, fauna, and traditional symbolism. The Lehmann sisters’ pieces are recognizable for their vibrant palette and modern interpretations of classic motifs, including innovative dot and circle decorations alongside the traditional Alsatian stork and flower designs. Every piece is made entirely by hand at the Soufflenheim workshop, from the initial throwing on the wheel to the application of engobe slip, decoration, glazing with lead-free food-safe enamels, and kiln firing. All Lehmann ceramics carry a certificate of authenticity as Poteries d’Alsace, a protected geographical indication awarded in March 2022. Free workshop visits are available from Monday to Thursday afternoons, allowing visitors to observe the potters at work. In addition to the Soufflenheim studio shop, the sisters operate a city-centre boutique called Poterie d’Alsace at 3 Rue des Frères in Strasbourg, near the Cathedral, where customers can meet the potters directly.