French craftsmanship

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French Craftsmanship

Friday 2 January 2026

French craftsmanship

is defined by a remarkable diversity of trades and expertise. Today, the craft of the lava enameller is officially recognised among the métiers d’art thanks to its highly specialised know-how.
French craftsmanship is now celebrated across the world.

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At a glance

A few figures

Art craftsmanship

Enamelled lava

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French craftsmanship

French craftsmanship is a long-standing and richly diverse tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. It is shaped by a wide variety of trades and skills, ranging from pottery and dressmaking to wood carving, jewellery making and porcelain craftsmanship.
Today, French craftsmanship is recognised around the world for its excellence and quality. French artisans are often regarded as masters in their field and are regularly honoured for their work.

French artisans are also known for their ability to combine traditional techniques with modern, innovative materials. They are often at the forefront of creating new products while remaining true to time-honoured methods and heritage skills.
Lastly, craftsmanship plays an important role in both the local and national economy. Artisans are often small family-run businesses that help generate employment while preserving French culture and heritage.

Craftsmanship in France in a few figures

Craftsmanship in France therefore brings together traditional practices and the expertise inherent in skilled trades. Among the most developed sectors is construction, which accounts for 49% of businesses operating in fields such as metalwork, masonry, plumbing and electrical work. This is followed by manufacturing (30%), including metalworking, furniture making and textile production; services (14%), covering hairdressing, car repair and laundry services; and finally food trades (7%), including bakery, fishmongery, butchery and grocery shops.
Although the sector is made up mainly of small businesses, craftsmanship plays a key role in the French economy. It encompasses as many as 510 different activities and more than 250 trades. Craftsmanship also benefits from the strong momentum behind “made in France”.
Among the many trades that make up French craftsmanship, some are also recognised as art crafts, and lava enamelling is one of them.

Art craftsmanship

Art craftsmanship is a branch of the craft sector devoted to the creation of high-quality decorative and functional objects. Artisans working in this field often use traditional techniques and premium materials to produce unique, bespoke pieces such as jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, sculptures and stained glass. They regularly collaborate with designers and artists to create original, made-to-measure works, often for demanding clients. Art artisans are recognised for their skill, creativity and their ability to transform raw materials into singular works of art.
The art artisan’s profession is often passed down from one generation to the next, and artisans may spend years refining their craft. These handcrafted art pieces can be costly because of the time and expertise required to produce them, but they are often regarded as lasting investments and unique works of art to be handed down through generations.

Art craftsmanship and enamelled lava

In France, enamelled lava comes primarily from Auvergne, although lava enamellers are found throughout the country. IMAPEC — the only organisation in France that trains lava enamellers — lists between 120 and 130 businesses of all sizes, ranging from industrial companies and SMEs to art craft workshops.
Inclusion in the official Directory of Art Trades is a formal distinction granted by the Chamber of Trades and Crafts to artisans who practise a profession of excellence and meet high standards of quality and expertise. The profession of lava enameller is now officially recognised among the trades eligible for art craftsmanship, thanks to the specialised know-how and exceptional technical mastery required by enamelled lava.

In France,

enamelled lava

comes primarily from Auvergne. The profession of lava enameller is now officially recognised among the trades eligible for art craftsmanship, thanks to the specialised know-how and high level of technical expertise required by enamelled lava.

Enamelled lava: our expertise

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