La Maison Revol, saga of a porcelain manufacturer made in France

Once upon a time, in the lush greenery of the Drôme, two earthenware makers, Pierre Revol and Madeleine Carrier, decided to open their own factory, inspired by a common dream. Thus began the adventure of Revol, a small family business that today proudly celebrates 256 years of existence. Against all odds, the brand, like a resilient plant, has plunged its roots deep into the nourishing soil of its cradle, drawing the energy necessary for its renewal, without ever losing sight of its essence. The factory's shelves are overflowing with thousands of objects, molds and pieces of graphic art, veritable treasures accumulated since 2011 by a team passionately dedicated to preserving this heritage. Far from being mere souvenirs, these precious relics are a tangible link to a glorious past that fuels innovation.

The perfect mastery of enameling, the art of casting that gives life to countless shapes, manual modeling... these are all inherited skills preciously handed down from generation to generation. These traditions have propelled Revol into the ranks of the Hénokiens, a very select club of companies more than two hundred years old, which, like dinosaurs of the economy, have survived the ages with remarkable endurance. As the icing on the cake, the brand was awarded the "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" label in 2013, a distinction that celebrates exceptional industrial and artisanal know-how .

Vert de terre: responsible tableware by Revol

In the realm of porcelain, Revol is writing a new chapter focused on ecology, surfing on the 6,000-year history of ceramics. The artisans of the Drôme region have chosen to interweave the old and the new, reminding us that this age-old material was already in harmony with the environment long before the green trend took off. The company has embarked on a veritable crusade for eco-responsible production, armed with the latest technologies to minimize every drop of water and breath of energy used.... even recovering oven heat to reduce gas consumption in burners and dryers! The launch in 2020 of the No.W (for No Waste) collection, made from Recyclay® ceramics derived from recycled products from various production processes, is tangible proof of this ambition. To crown it all, this revolution towards ecological responsibility has been recognized with a silver medal from EcoVadis, the global standard for corporate social responsibility (CSR) assessments.

Revol cooks up a storm

From New York to Beirut, London to Manila, Revol has established itself as the partner of choice for chefs around the globe. In an era where the devil is in the detail and Instagram is king, the brand has carved out a place for itself as an accomplice to the most chic addresses and the most refined cuisines. With its suitcases full of creations, exported to 80 countries and accounting for 75% of its sales outside France, Revol is a source of inspiration, shaking up the conventions of the table, whether it's an enthusiast or not. Every chef, every hotelier, becomes the architect of unique moments, orchestrating details like a DJ mixing the hits of the moment for an unforgettable evening !

As part of this drive to support professionals, Revol has planted its flag in the very heart of Paris, inaugurating its first Paris showroom in September 2023, after those in New York, Fort Lauderdale and London. A new space designed to welcome the virtuosos of the hotel and restaurant industries, as well as the rising stars of architecture and design .

Although it's been cloned more than enough, the famous crumpled cup is not the only trick up Revol's sleeve. The proof is in these three collections signed by renowned designers.

Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and the "Caractère" collection

To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Revol played the originality card by inviting Noé Duchaufour Lawrance, a renowned French designer, to put his hands in the clay. The result is "Caractère", a collection of tableware that combines the charm of Drôme craftsmanship with a touch of everyday poetry. Plates and salad bowls proudly bear a black border, as if an artist had slipped a charcoal stroke onto the ceramic, making each piece as unique as a chic fingerprint. From €15.50.

Ferréol Babin and the "YLI " collection

Revol issued a challenge to Dijon designer Ferréol Babin: "Amaze us!" And check out the result: a collection that turns conventions on their head. Forget straight lines and well-behaved shapes, here asymmetry reigns and contours seem to dance to the whim of inspiration. 11 unique porcelain pieces. Among these stars, the Pelle plate and Cabosse bowl stand out. From €20.

Inga Sempé and the "Bombance " collection

Inga Sempé, a star of French design who cut her teeth with the greats Marc Newson and Andrée Putman, reveals here her love for beautiful, everyday objects that don't tell. It took four years of intensive flirtation with Revol to give birth to the Bombance collection. Forget plates, here it's the cocotte that takes pride of place, with its cute little bead that not only looks good, but also ensures you don't let your dinner slip out while handling it. From €32.

Three questions for Alessandra Montagne, Nosso restaurant chef

Alessandra Montagne has woven her culinary path between the fertile lands of Brazil, where she grew up, and the gastronomic richness of France, which she decided to make her own since her arrival in 1999. She opened the Tempero restaurant in Paris in 2011, followed by Bistrot Tempero in 2014, the year she appeared on the cover of Gault&Millau. Spurred on by her success, she launched Nosso in 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, and was awarded the Jeune Talent Gault&Millau 2022 trophy for her commitment to local and eco-responsible cuisine, underlining her contribution to innovative and responsible French gastronomy.

How long have Revol products been part of Nosso's culinary adventures, and what motivated your choice of this brand?

Your cuisine has a conscience, between locavore and zero waste. How does Revol fit into this picture?

Between Nosso and REVOL, we share the same values of craftsmanship and terroir, and of course the concern to pass on a culinary, cultural and environmental heritage. My team and I immediately fell in love with the recycling approach in the factory, which has enabled us to create a complete collection, 100% recycled in the Drôme region.

You have a rich and varied culinary background, mixing French, Brazilian and Asian cuisines. How do Revol products help you bring out this fusion of flavors?

It's precisely their finish, the color of the porcelain bodies, that I like about Revol. It goes perfectly with pottery pieces as well as more classic porcelain. It's this mix in my kitchen that I also wanted on the table. The first glance at a dish can transform the experience at Nosso.