Les Étains de Lyon: Perpetuating French Bistro Craft Since 1947
Since 1947, Les Étains de Lyon has been a key player among three French workshops that create wooden surfaces adorned with pewter, embodying the essence of the stylish French bistro. The Laurent family took ownership in the early 2000s, with brothers Grégory and Xavier pivoting towards the production of countertops and bar surfaces. They utilize sheets of 98% pure pewter, blended with 2% copper, measuring two millimeters thick and left unvarnished to develop a natural patina. The workshop specializes in bespoke creations, training five artisans internally over a six-month period. Their craftsmanship is acknowledged by the Per Durare program, and they cater to both the professional sector and private projects, with half of their output aimed at international markets.
Key facts
- Les Étains de Lyon is one of three French workshops making wooden counters covered in pewter.
- Founded in 1947, the workshop was taken over by the Laurent family in the early 2000s.
- The workshop holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label.
- Grégory and Xavier Laurent shifted focus to exclusively making countertops and bar counters.
- Pewter used is 98% pure, enriched with 2% copper, and rolled into two-millimeter sheets.
- The craft is listed among rare French art trades by the Per Durare program.
- Five artisans work in the workshop, trained internally as no dedicated school exists.
- Half of the activity is in France for restaurants and hotels; the other half is international, including Belgium, Switzerland, England, and China.
Entities
Artists
- Grégory Laurent
- Xavier Laurent
- Sébastien Chapellet
Institutions
- Les Étains de Lyon
- Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant
- Institut pour les Savoir-Faire Français
- AG2R La Mondiale
- Per Durare
- Connaissance des Arts
Locations
- Lyon
- France
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- England
- China