The Start of Something Revolutionary

In 1924, two Belgian industrialists, Armand Desaegher, a casting specialist, and Octave Auberg, an enameling expert, met at the International Commercial Fair in Brussels. They decided to combine their expertise and dedicate their careers to a new business venture: the development of enamelled cast iron cookware – an unprecedented concept for its time.

The First Colour is Chosen

In 1925, Le Creuset was born as the duo set up a foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand, northern France. This location was at a strategic crossroads of raw material needed to fabricate the first cocotte. All Le Creuset enamelled cast iron products continue to be produced in the same foundry of France to this day!

In same year, the now iconic Round French Oven was born. The signature Le Creuset hue, originally called Volcanique was inspired by the bright orange of molten cast iron inside a cauldron (or Creuset in French).

Within that first year, Le Creuset was setting the stage for bold, rich and unique colours to come.

From our Kitchen to Yours

During Le Creuset’s first decade the iconic Flame products began appearing in some of the most prestigious kitchens throughout France and Western Europe. Professional chefs and home cooks immediately appreciated the many advantages of enamelled cast iron cookware.

Le Creuset also began to diversify its product range. The first publicity campaign on the radio and in the press was launched to promote the quality of Le Creuset enamelled cast iron.

Innovation Flourishes

Following World War II, Le Creuset concentrated on its collection of enamelled cast iron cookware and was a major innovator of the time with new and exciting styles and pieces. Originality was shown in the creation of enamel colours. In 1952, export to other countries had begun in earnest with product destined to other European countries and across the Atlantic, to the United States.

Design Collaborations

In 1958, acclaimed industrial designer Raymond Loewy created a unique piece to add to the world-renowned range of Le Creuset Cast Iron cookware. Internationally famous for his designs, Loewy created a striking, evocative design called the Le Creuset Coquelle. This partnership cemented Le Creuset as the most innovative and forward-thinking brand in the cookware industry.

More than the Original Cocotte

New products such as the first grill model, the Tostador, the Fondue Set, Barbecue, Enzo Mari’s Mama Collection and new colours such as Elysees Yellow were all received with enthusiasm during this time.

Branding Le Creuset

The current Le Creuset logo was introduced in 1970 and was designed to represent the metal casting and molding of cast iron.

What is a "Creuset"?

Le Creuset takes its name from the French word “creuset” which means a melting pot, much like the cauldron used at our factory where raw metals are molten under intense heat to be then poured into sand molds. This vessel symbolizes our founding spirit of innovation, where every creation is forged with passion and precision. Since 1925, we have harnessed this transformative power to craft timeless pieces of culinary art.

Le Creuset Around the World

This decade was all about the internationalization. The United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium were some of the new destinations for Le Creuset cocottes. Everywhere, they were associated with coveted images of French style and cuisine. In 1985 a worldwide survey by the weekly magazine "Expansion", in collaboration with "Newsweek", placed Le Creuset in the top 30 French products recognized by a worldwide audience.

Inspired by Cuisines of the World

With a strong international presence, Le Creuset looked to cooking trends in different regions worldwide. The first Wok was introduced in 1992, inspired by the growing exposure to Asian cooking. Between 1995 and 2004 the enamel-on-steel kettles, Pumpkin Cocotte, classic French Tatin Dish, Indian Karahi Dish and Balti Dish, Japanese Sukiyaki and the Italian Risotto Pot were released.

Globalization

Growth in new markets continued to flourish with offices and boutiques established in Hong Kong, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Scandinavia, Italy, Canada and China.

A Century of Timeless Craftsmanship and Traditions

Founded in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France in 1925, Le Creuset is honoured to celebrate its centennial in 2025, marking 100 years of designing cherished heirlooms that inspire longstanding culinary traditions.

As Le Creuset product offerings and portfolio of emblematic colours continue to grow, more than 600 retail stores worldwide offer an unparalleled selection of the brand’s cookware.

Authentic and iconic for 100 years and counting, our pieces are much more than cookware.

They’re heirlooms in the making. They’re Le Creuset.