French cookware maker celebrates two centuries with heritage-inspired release Cristel, the French manufacturer of premium stainless steel cookware, is marking 200 years of production at its Fesches-le-Châtel factory in Burgundy with a limited-edition collection that reimagines its original 1826 designs. The 1826 Bicentennial Limited-Edition Collection comprises four core pieces: a saucepan without lid ($169.99+), a stewpot with lid ($199.99+), a stainless steel frying pan ($179.99+), and a glass lid with antique brass button ($39.99+). The collection also includes miniature versions of the frying pan, stewpan, and saucepan. Each piece features antique brass handles and hardware that visually link the company's industrial past with contemporary kitchens. The design reinterprets the tapered silhouette of the historic saucepan first produced at the site in 1826. "The Bicentennial Collection is a celebration of where we came from, but also of where we are going," said Julien Djadane, Managing Director–North America at Cristel. "For 200 years, this site has been a place of innovation and craftsmanship. We are proud to continue manufacturing here in France while carrying this history forward through products designed for today's cooks."
Manufacturing and certifications Cristel has maintained continuous production at its Fesches-le-Châtel factory since 1826, with three generations now working side by side. More than 90% of the value of its products is realized on-site at the factory. The company holds both the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label and Origine France Garantie certification. All Cristel stainless steel cookware carries a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects and is designed for long-term use. The company's cookware is sold in approximately 50 countries through retailers including Sur La Table, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and Amazon. The collection is available for a limited time through cristelusa.com and select retailers nationwide.
Why It Matters
For operators and retail buyers, this release signals sustained commitment to domestic French manufacturing at a time when many European cookware brands have shifted production. The limited-edition positioning and heritage angle appeal to the premium home cook segment, which continues to drive high-margin cookware sales in specialty and department-store channels.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
