Let's set a table with Lorraine artisans

Does this famous House even need an introduction? For more than 250 years, its delicate crystal creations have decorated prestigious tables—especially its iconic model, the Harcourt glass. This style was adopted by Napoléon 3rd, and is on numerous presidential tables across the world today. To learn more about this House and its know-how, check out the Baccarat Museum, located inside the factory, in the city of Baccarat.

Baccarat

Created in 1870, the master glass-maker updates the pâte de cristal technique dating back to 5,000 BC, a style that gives the creations a shining material and an intense color. Associated with the lost wax technique, manipulating the pâte de cristal technique allows the glass-makers to reproduce original pieces created by artists the House has worked with since the 1940s. These collections can be seen at the shop in Nancy or at the outlet store, which is nearby, as well as at the École de Nancy Museum.

Daum

Built during the 18th century, the Lunéville-Saint-Clément factories specialized in faience (glazed earthenware), and passed their know-how through the centuries. The creation of 1,500 pots commissioned by Marie-Antoinette's architect for the Petit Trianon garden in Versailles has to be noted. Nowadays, the royal factories, called "Terre d'Est," hew traditional faience crockery collections. These are handmade, such as the "Réverbère" collection, designed in a vintage style, or the "Paris ..." made in a more modern style.

Celebrating its 220 anniversary this year, the factory owes its reputation to the Emperor Napoléon, who was one of its first prestigious clients. It is well-known for its use of the cloisonné enamels technique that consist of enclosing the enamel drops with thin black lines, creating the embossing. To explain the mysteries of this know-how, it is possible to visit the faiencerie located in Longwy, north of Metz, upon reservation.

Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy

You may already used the cutlery produced by this factory without knowing it. Located in Darney in the Vosges, the Cutlery of Mouroux produces pieces mostly made for jewelers, luxury brands, hotels, restaurants, or caterers. Conducted exclusively in a semi-homemade fashion, the production of these high-class cutleries requires numerous techniques and can represent up to 30 different operations for the final product. You can buy one of this beautiful pieces at the outlet store located in Darney.

Couverts de Mouroux

This House dates back to the 16th century. In 1767, the Pays de Bitche factory was called "Verrerie Royale" (Royal Glassworks) before specializing in crystal in 1829. Since then, the Saint-Louis crystalworks grant the same care for creating its pieces: mouth-blown, hand-cut, engraved and decorated crystal. To become immersed in the Saint-Louis House know-how, visit La Grande Place Museum at the heart of the factory, where 2,000 exceptional pieces are exhibited. It is also possible to enjoy a guided visit of the workshops and the village of Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche.

Cristallerie Saint-Louis

What would be a beautiful table without some elegant linen? In Gérardmer, the Garnier-Thiébaut House has weaved sophisticated cotton damasks for 185 years. From the selection of yarns to the execution of patterns exclusively made by House's designers, including colors created by a master dyer, nothing is left to chance. The savoir-faire of the Garnier-Thiébaut House needs no introduction.

Garnier-Thiébaut

Let's end with the aspect that supports the rest: the table, hewn in wood from the Vosges of course! Since 1867, Henryot & Cie has produced exceptional furniture following the purest Lorraine woodworking tradition. The factory is located in Liffol-le-Grand, which is the capital city of furniture.

Henryot & Cie