Montgolfier

What Montgolfier does

Montgolfier is a French artisanal manufacturer of ceramic tableware and decorative objects, founded in 1947 and headquartered at a single integrated workshop at 1 rue Denis Papin, Durtal, France. The company operates as a privately held SARL with share capital of €370,368 and a headcount of 11-50 employees. Its core technology is ceramic manufacturing grounded in clay shaping (façonnage de la forme en argile) and proprietary enamel formulas (technicité de l'email), with 100% French integrated manufacturing capable of small and medium production series. The product catalog spans 24+ distinct collections (Kyoto, Boréales, Liberty, Ubud, Orijin, Planet, Pierre d'Anjou, Clair Obscur, Shine, Renaissance, Id a part, and others) covering plates, deep plates, bowls, pitchers, salad bowls, serving dishes, and trays in numerous colorways.

The company's business model is dual-channel. The primary go-to-market targets professional CHR (Cafés, Hôtels, Restaurants) clients — including hotels, restaurants, and chefs — through a dedicated 'Espace des chefs' portal with account-gated catalogue access and quote-based (devis) pricing on multi-year relationships. The secondary channel is direct-to-consumer e-commerce via the company website, with unit prices displayed per piece (e.g., €66.67 for a Kyoto 1L pitcher, €27.62 for an Ubud salad bowl, €39.38 for a Boréales dessert plate) ex-workshop. Marketing relies on organic social (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), content/blog posts, and event participation, notably the SIRHA hospitality trade show (Hall 6 H71, 2021). The company holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) state label and is a member of Ateliers d'Art de France, anchoring its value proposition in certified French craftsmanship rather than price competition. Leadership is held by Delphine Stroesser (direction de la publication) alongside workshop manager Jean Claude Le Baron, who together have developed the gastronomy-and-hospitality creative direction since approximately 2001.

Name

Montgolfier

Legal name

MONTGOLFIER

Website

https://montgolfier.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montgolfier is a French artisanal ceramic tableware and decorative objects manufacturer, founded in 1947 in Durtal, producing 24+ collections of plates, bowls, and serving pieces for hospitality professionals and individual consumers through integrated 100% French manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ceramic Tableware Manufacturing

NAICS

Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (339910)

SIC

Pottery & Related Products (3260)

akta.pro primary industry

Decorative Accessories Retail (Vases, Bowls, Sculptures, Figurines, Trays) (CRAIACAB)

Keywords

• Ceramic tableware manufacturing
• Artisan pottery France
• Hospitality table service
• Decorative ceramic objects
• Handcrafted earthenware

Headquarters

HQ city

Durtal

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (B2C): Direct sales of ceramic tableware and decorative objects to individual consumers through the e-commerce platform.
2. Product Sales (B2B Professional): Sales to hospitality professionals (hotels, restaurants) through professional accounts with quote-based pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Montgolfier designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted ceramic tableware (plates, bowls, deep plates, pitchers, serving dishes, trays) and decorative objects from its workshop in Durtal, France. Products are organized into themed collections (Kyoto, Boréales, Liberty, Orijin, Ubud, Planet, Clair Obscur, Pierre d'Anjou, Id a part, etc.) and sold to both hospitality professionals and individual consumers via its own e-commerce site and a dedicated professional sales channel.

Product overview

Montgolfier is a French manufacturer of ceramic tableware and decorative objects founded in 1947. The company operates as a single-brand, multi-collection manufacturer offering products organized into distinct collections including Kyoto, Liberty, Boréales, Orijin, Ubud, Planet, Pierre d'Anjou, Clair Obscur, Id a part, and more. Each collection features multiple product types such as plates (buffet, dessert, dinner, American-style, salad, bread), bowls (salad, tea, small planet bowls), deep plates, pitchers, serving dishes (rectangular plates, fish platters, covered dishes), and trays. Products are categorized by usage type: Assiettes (plates), Assiettes creuses/clochées (deep/covered plates), Assiettes techniques (technical plates), Contenants (containers), Plateaux/Supports (trays/supports), Plats/Saladiers (serving dishes/salad bowls), and Thé/Café/Accessoire (tea/coffee/accessories). Montgolfier serves both professional clients (hotels, restaurants) through their dedicated Espace des chefs section and individual consumers. All products are manufactured in France with eco-responsible practices and bear the 'Made in France' designation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kyoto collection tableware Flagship ceramic tableware collection from Montgolfier featuring square buffet plates (24x24cm), rectangular plates (24x34cm), square salad plates (21x21cm), square salad bowls (16x16cm), salad bowls (25.5cm) and a 1L pitcher (14x19cm) in a wide palette of colorways (Ivoire, Gris Manhattan, Anis, Paille, Sable, Lichen, Blanc brillant, Graphite, Lait de rose, Grège, Perle noire, Mica, Azur, Blanc satiné). Designed for both professional hospitality service and individual home use.
• Boréales collection tableware Boréales is a ceramic tableware collection of coupe-form plates, tea bowls and small stackable containers, including the 19cm dessert plate, the 20cl tea bowl (8.5cm), and the 10cl Petit bol planet (9cm). Each piece is unique and nuanced, available in Gris, Vert bronze, Rouge, Jaune and other colorways. Intended for both professional and home table service.
• Liberty collection tableware Liberty is a ceramic tableware collection combining blue, black and white for cloud-like effects, plus a Tournesol yellow/black range. Products include the Liberty dessert plate and the 25cm dinner plate. Designed for restaurants, hotels and consumers seeking distinctive colorful pieces.
• Orijin collection tableware Orijin is a ceramic tableware collection with character-driven designs combining black with glossy/matte finishes and various effects. Includes the Orijin dinner plate with raised edge and the Orijin salad bowl. Targeted at hospitality professionals and home consumers seeking a bold aesthetic.
• Ubud collection tableware Ubud is a ceramic tableware collection of elegant dessert plates and deep plates, including the Ivoire dessert plate and the 24cm deep plate in satin white. Versatile bowls designed for many culinary presentations.
• Planet collection tableware Planet is a ceramic tableware collection featuring a dinner plate available in Graphite and Blanc satiné colorways. Designed for daily professional and home table service.
• Pierre d'Anjou collection tableware Pierre d'Anjou is a ceramic collection of large serving pieces, including the 24x31cm Pavé rectangle in Graphite finish with a slate-like surface, ideal for cheese presentations and other platters. Targets fine dining and specialty hospitality use.
• Clair Obscur collection tableware Clair Obscur is a ceramic tableware collection offering the Clair de lune colorway with white elegance, sobriety, and timeless design. Includes the Clair Obscur deep plate for professional and home table service.
• Id a part collection tableware Id a part is a ceramic collection defined by raw, rough design language — Sable, elsewhere, roughness, mat, brut. Includes the 28cl (25cm) Dubarry deep plate with Beige granité finish on the rim. Targeted at hospitality clients seeking distinctive, rustic-elegant pieces.
• Espace des chefs professional channel Dedicated B2B sales channel on the Montgolfier website for hospitality professionals (chefs, hotels, restaurants). Provides professional account creation, full catalogue access and a simplified quote request (devis) workflow. Requires professional VAT number and establishment name at signup.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Designers (Collaboration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontgolfier collaborates with designers to develop creations and expand sales internationally, particularly during the Rivard family period (1984-2004). Current leadership under Delphine Stroesser continues this design collaboration approach.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Revol: French porcelain manufacturer founded in 1748, specializing in culinary porcelain for hospitality and consumer markets. Closest direct competitor to Montgolfier in the French professional tableware category.
• Jars Ceramics: French artisanal ceramic tableware manufacturer producing stoneware plates, bowls, and serving pieces. Direct competitor to Montgolfier in the B2B CHR and consumer tableware segment.
• Bernardaud: French luxury porcelain manufacturer serving fine dining and hospitality. Overlaps with Montgolfier in professional chef adoption and premium tableware positioning.
• Astier de Villatte: Paris-based artisanal ceramics and tableware maker with similar craft-led, designer-collaboration model. Directly comparable artisanal positioning to Montgolfier.
• Gien: Historic French porcelain tableware manufacturer with strong hospitality and consumer brand presence. Comparable in heritage positioning, Made-in-France credentials, and CHR channel focus.
• Emile Henry: French manufacturer of ceramic cookware and tableware, family-owned and Made-in-France. Comparable in artisanal positioning, distribution mix (B2B/B2C), and premium ceramic craft identity.
• Guy Degrenne: French tableware and silverware brand with hospitality and consumer channels. Comparable Made-in-France heritage and dual B2B/B2C tableware distribution model.
• Pillivuyt: French porcelain manufacturer producing tableware for hospitality and retail. Competes with Montgolfier in the professional CHR porcelain/ceramic plateware category.
• Alain Saint-Joanis: French artisan ceramics manufacturer producing tableware and decorative objects. Closely comparable in artisanal positioning, French heritage identity, and target hospitality/consumer customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Villeroy & Boch: Large European tableware and ceramics group with deep CHR and consumer reach. Operates at significantly larger scale than Montgolfier but competes across overlapping professional and consumer tableware categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MONTGOLFIER.creation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montgolfier
• Instagraminstagram.com/montgolfier_plates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montgolfier