La Faïencerie de Gien

GIEN, FRANCE | EARTHENWARE

Located in the Val de Loire, the historic heart of France, the company Gien masters the entire manufacturing process locally: from the selection of the earths (sand, clay and kaolin) that form the paste, to the finished product, including the design of the plaster moulds, enamels and colours. A Gien plate passes through the hands of 30 craftsmen that perpetuate a bicentenary know-how.

La Faïencerie de Gien was founded in 1821 by the Englishman Thomas Hall. Throughout the 19th century, production continued to grow and the collections were enriched thanks to collaborations with painters and engravers, who were invited to imagine new decors. In 1900, the company won the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris for its exceptional work. In 1930, Gien created the famous tiles for the Paris metro, which definitively established its international fame.

Today, Gien continues to reinvent itself. It sets the tone by regularly collaborating with renowned artists to enrich its collections. While developing modern manufacturing techniques, it remains faithful to certain traditional methods such as paper printing or hand painting.

More than ever, Faïencerie de Gien is part of a programme of excellence. A member of the prestigious Comité Colbert, which brings together the major French luxury brands, it has been awarded the "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" (Living Heritage Company) label.