Saint-Louis

French crystal manufactory (founded in 1586)

The history of Saint-Louis began in 1586 in the Münzthal valley, at the heart of the Northern Vosges in Lorraine, a region steeped in glassmaking tradition. In 1767, Louis XV bestowed upon it the title of "Verrerie royale de Saint-Louis". In 1781, its craftsmen mastered the production of lead crystal, among the very first in continental Europe to do so. From 1829 onwards, the manufacture devoted itself exclusively to crystal. Throughout the 19th century, Saint-Louis accompanied the flourishing of the art of dining with its stemware, decanters, vases, and lighting fixtures, distinguishing itself with its millefiori paperweights, now highly sought after by collectors. In the 20th century, services such as "Tommy" became timeless classics and cemented the identity of the house. Mouth-blowing, hand-cutting, engraving, and gilding: the savoir-faire of Saint-Louis relies on gestures passed down from generation to generation. Owned by the Hermès Group since 1989, the crystal manufactory continues its activity in Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche, in Moselle, where historic masterpieces and contemporary creations perpetuate a grand French tradition of crystal making.