The label ‘Made in France’ has become synonymous with high-quality cookware. Many of our favorite cooking materials came to fame in the kitchens of legendary French chefs.
Nowadays, there are only a few select brands that are manufactured in France, as many cookware brands look overseas for cheaper production options.
In this article, I’m going to take you through all seven of the cookware brands that are made in France, along with my favorite products from each brand.
Our Top Picks
- Emile Henry – The Emile Henry Delight Dutch Oven
⬇ Jump to review - Le Creuset – Le Creuset Signature Skillet
⬇ Jump to review - De Buyer – De Buyer Mineral B Frying Pan
⬇ Jump to review - Mauviel – Mauviel M’150 Polished Copper & Stainless Steel Cookware Set
⬇ Jump to review - Cristel – Strate Stainless Steel Cookware Set
⬇ Jump to review - Matfer Bourgeat – Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Frying Pan
⬇ Jump to review - Staub – Staub Round Cocotte
⬇ Jump to review
What are the Best French Cookware Brands?
The best French cookware brands are Emile Henry, Le Creuset, de Buyer, Mauviel, Cristel, Staub, and Matfer Bourgeat. There are very few truly French-designed and made cookware brands, but what is available is of very high quality.
What Qualifies as French Cookware?
In my book, for cookware to be called truly French, its manufacturing needs to take place on French soil, not merely assembled in France from parts sourced from elsewhere. The very best brands are designed and manufactured from start to finish in France. Staub is one exception I have included, as it is owned by a German company but is manufactured in France.
These are the seven truly French cookware brands available on the market right now.
Emile Henry
Emile Henry is a family-run brand that has been passed down from father to son for generations, though it was not always known by this name. In 1982, the owner, Jacques Henry, changed the brand’s name to Emile Henry as a tribute to his grandfather, who saw the brand through the fallout of the First World War. In 1986, they introduced color options that really caught the public’s eye.
This brand is known for its high-quality, 100% ceramic cookware, especially its Dutch ovens and bakeware. Their Dutch ovens can even be used on low heat on the stovetop, which is rare for ceramic pieces.
We also have an article covering Best 100% Ceramic Cookware.
Unlike most ceramics, this Dutch oven is suitable for careful stovetop use. So you can start off your dish by sauteing the ingredients and then pop it in the oven to slow cook or bake. Then, because it’s such an attractive piece, you can transfer the pot straight to a pot holder on the table to serve.
Even though this ceramic is of very high quality, it is still prone to thermal shock. (Most of the negative reviews seem to come from users who were not careful enough with it.) So, I recommend using a pot holder when you remove it from the oven to prevent destroying your investment piece.
Quick Overview:
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Le Creuset
I don’t think anyone can exist in the world of food without coming across copious amounts of Le Creuset cookware!
This historic brand was founded by two Belgian industrialists who met in 1925. One specialized in enameling and the other in casting, so they combined forces in France to create the iconic enameled cast iron cookware. Later, the brand expanded to include stoneware, toughened nonstick cookware, stainless steel cookware, and small appliances like kettles.
Le Creuset is known for trailblazing the colorful cookware trend. Its enameled cast iron is made in France and will have the stamp in the base to confirm this. Some of its other rangers are made in other countries. Its enamel-on-steel and stoneware are made in Thailand, and its stainless steel range is made in Portugal.
Le Creuset Dutch ovens have great heat retention and, if well preheated and used with plenty of oil, are semi-nonstick without the need for any chemical coatings.
I love using this Dutch oven for dishes that start on the stovetop and finish up in the oven. But by far, my favorite way to use this pot is for baking sourdough.
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De Buyer
De Buyer is a truly French brand from design to manufacture. Throughout the design process, the brand collaborates with professional chefs to create pans that cook as effectively as possible. Just by handling one of these pans, you can see the quality. The design details reveal the French quality before you’ve even placed the pan on the heat.
This brand is known for its carbon steel, copper, and stainless steel cookware. But it also has an extensive range of bakeware, knives, and utensils.
Carbon steel pans are generally medium-weight. This Mineral B pan is the ideal weight to make it easy to handle but also well-balanced and durable.
As with all carbon steel pans, this pan does require seasoning, but this maintenance is well worth it when you consider how much use you’ll get out of this pan.
Quick Overview:
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Mauviel
Mauviel doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for luxury cookware, this is the brand for you! This brand exemplifies the quality of classic French copper cookware.
As it proudly displays on its cookware, this Mauviel was founded in 1830 by Ernest Mauviel. It started out making copper cookware before branching out into carbon steel and stainless steel. The stainless steel came about as a necessity because copper pans need to be lined in a nonreactive material to be safe to use.
Nowadays, this brand is known for its stunning copper and carbon steel cookware that is manufactured by 70 craftsmen in Normandy.
Want more ideas? Explore our Best Authentic Copper Cookware.
The copper cladding allows these pans to heat rapidly and adapt quickly to temperature changes. But copper is dangerous when it makes direct contact with your food, which is why these pans are lined with durable and nonreactive 18/10 stainless steel. This gives you the best of both worlds in one set.
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Cristel
Cristel is a newer brand of high-end cookware brand, unique for its stainless steel cookware with removable handles. This has become a popular feature in the last few years as home cooks try to maximize the storage in their kitchens.
The brand’s 5-ply stainless steel cookware should last for generations if cared for well. But its nonstick options will have a much shorter lifespan, like all PTFE nonstick pans.
The main selling point of these pans is the removable handles. The five pots are all interchangeable with the four handles so you can adapt your pot to perfectly fit your needs.
The lids are also flat, and the pots stack within one another, so this whole set compacts into a very small stack.
The pans themselves are made from high-quality, robust 18/10 stainless steel. This means they have the potential to be passed down in your family if you avoid dents and major scratches.
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Matfer Bourgeat
Known for its commercial-quality cookware, this brand is best known for its black carbon steel pan that was named #1 by America’s Test Kitchen in recent years.
But let’s take it back a little – or more like two centuries! Matfer Bourgeat was founded by Charles Trottier in 1814. Initially, the company focused on creating tin and copper pastry molds before branching out into copper and carbon steel cookware. Now, it’s a renowned brand loved by chefs and home cooks alike.
This is another pan that we have reviewed at The Skillful Cook, and it scored an impressive 92.5/100 in our tests.
Once this pan is well seasoned, it has a very easy-to-use semi-nonstick surface that you’ll be reaching for on a regular basis. This pan is so durable it feels almost indestructible, even with daily use.
I’m particularly impressed with how affordable this pan is for the quality. It’s a great price, and it’s a pan you may never have to replace if you look after it.
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Staub
Staub is world-renowned for its enamel cast iron cookware. The brand was founded in France and still operates its French foundry. However, the brand was purchased by German company Zwilling J.A. Henckels in 2008.
The company was started in 1974 when Francis Staub designed his first cocotte. That makes this brand young in comparison with many of these other brands. But it has quickly climbed the ranks of the best enamel cast iron cookware out there right now. I especially appreciate how transparent Staub is with its third-party testing and safety compliance.
But the cocotte is more than just a pretty face. It’s the brand’s Dutch oven, it’s original and signature product. Made of cast iron covered with glass-like enamel, it has incredible heat retention, which makes it perfect for slow cooking and baking bread alike. The self-basting lid is tight-fitting and returns the moisture back to the dish.
Quick Overview:
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Summary
I didn’t realize how rare truly French-made cookware is these days, since the brands that are made in France are popular and easy to find. If you want a great Dutch oven, the options from Emile Henry and Le Creuset are top-notch. But if you want an everyday frying pan, I highly recommend the De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel pan.
If you have any questions about French-made cookware, drop it below and we will get back to you.
