About La Rochere
La Rochère is the oldest continuously operating glass factory in Europe, founded in 1475 by Simon de Thysac during the reign of King Louis XI. Located in the Vosges mountains of eastern France, in the Lorraine and Franche-Comté regions, the factory has been crafting exceptional glassware for over five centuries, surviving destruction twice in the 16th and 17th centuries before being rebuilt in 1666. The factory's location was strategically chosen for its abundance of natural resources essential to glassmaking: wood for fuel, sand, and silica. Since the ovens were relit in 1666, they have never been extinguished, maintaining an unbroken tradition of French glassmaking excellence that spans more than 350 years of continuous production. La Rochère's most iconic collection is the Abeille (Bee) series, inspired by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte who chose the bee as an emblem of his reign. During the Napoleonic era, bees appeared on furniture, fabrics, carpets, flags, and royal coats of arms, and La Rochère began producing glassware adorned with this emblematic motif. Today, the bee design remains their signature pattern, symbolizing both French imperial history and the magical countryside of Provence. Creating La Rochère glassware requires extraordinary skill - a Master Glassmaker needs ten years of training to master the techniques, and at least eight people are required to create a single hand-blown piece. With fewer than 200 Master Glassmakers producing blown glass in all of France today, La Rochère represents a precious and rare craft tradition that combines both decorative beauty and practical durability.