A city in northwest France.

One of the first French centres, during the 16thC, for the production of tin-glazed earthenware in the Italian maiolica tradition. This evolved into French faience, for which Rouen was the most influential centre by the close of the 17thC. Distinctive decorative styles were developed, including the formal, embroidery-like lambrequin (see decorative motifs) borders and style rayonnant. Tableware, ewers and other vessels at this time reflect the shapes found in silverware; they are blue and white, but the occasional touch of red was also used during the early 18thC. By the 1720s, the full range of high temperature colours was used for Chinese-style designs in famille-verte colours, and from 1740 Rococo-style garlands and shells framing pastoral scenes were dominant. Enamel colours were introduced in the 1770s in a bid to imitate porcelain decoration, but by the end of the century the industry was in decline due to competition from English cream ware.

Located on the Seine, a great river in France, Rouen is one of the most important ports of that country. The first families coming from the Perche or the region of Paris traveled along the roads leading to Rouen. From there, they went to Dieppe, one of the sea harbours from which they sailed to New France.