Fresnoy-le-Grand, June 23, 2025 — The Europe Today: In a sunlit kitchen in Provence, a bright orange cocotte simmers with boeuf bourguignon, filling the air with the scent of slow-cooked comfort. It is a familiar image – one that evokes warmth, tradition, and the unmistakable allure of Le Creuset. This year, the iconic French cookware brand quietly celebrates its centennial, a remarkable milestone in a story that began not in France, but in Belgium.
Founded in 1925 by Belgian entrepreneurs Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq, Le Creuset was born out of a chance meeting at the 1924 Brussels Trade Fair. Desaegher, an expert in iron casting from Oudenaarde, and Aubecq, a glazing specialist from Gosselies, combined their talents to create something revolutionary: enamelled cast iron cookware.
Their vision took shape in the northern French town of Fresnoy-le-Grand, chosen for its logistical advantages as a hub for raw materials like iron, coke, and sand. Setting up shop in a former foundry near a railway line, the pair began producing cast iron pots coated in vibrant enamel – a marriage of durability and beauty that would redefine cookware for generations.
Their first piece, the now-famous cocotte, debuted in a bold orange hue inspired by the molten iron inside a crucible – creuset in French. That shade, known as Volcanique (or Flame in English-speaking markets), became the brand’s fiery signature.
From the start, Le Creuset offered more than practicality. Emerging from the shadow of the First World War, the cocotte was a beacon of domestic optimism. Over time, it grew into a symbol of French culinary flair and artisanal excellence.
By the 1960s, it had entered pop culture: Julia Child introduced it to American households on her groundbreaking cooking show, while icons like Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth were reportedly fans. Today, the company’s palette spans over 100 colours globally, with contemporary favourites such as berry and teal joining the classic tones.
Despite evolving trends, Le Creuset remains rooted in its traditions. Each piece is still crafted in Fresnoy-le-Grand, where molten iron is poured into sand moulds, then enamelled, hand-finished, and inspected up to 15 times before shipping – a testament to enduring craftsmanship in an era of fast manufacturing.
Beyond cast iron, the brand has broadened its product range to include stainless steel, non-stick cookware, and silicone tools, adapting to modern kitchens without losing its soul. The cocotte, however, remains its crown jewel – not only a staple in Michelin-starred kitchens but also a beloved prop on social media, where food lovers proudly showcase their meals in the rainbow-hued pots.
At 100 years old, Le Creuset is more than a cookware brand – it’s a cultural icon. From Belgian ingenuity and French artistry, it has created a legacy that simmers in homes worldwide, linking generations through the universal language of food.
And like the best family recipes, its story only gets better with time.
