The Cristallerie Saint-Louis is a French crystal factory founded in 1586. Yes, yes, more than 435 years ago! A unique knowledge that makes it the oldest crystal factory in France. Well known to crystal enthusiasts, it is historically very rich and offers pieces all more monumental than the others.
A distant origin
Founded more than four centuries ago, the Saint Louis crystal factory was once called the Münzthal Glassworks. Why this name? Simply because it has its origins in the heart of the Northern Vosges forest, and more precisely in the hamlet of Münzthal, the main place where glass is made.
It was in 1767 that the Müntzthal glassworks became "Royal Glassworks", named by His Excellency King Louis XV himself! It was then that it took the name of Saint-Louis glassworks. The village was also renamed Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche in reference to the king and the name of the location. Master glassmakers seek to make a crystal as fine as possible so that it is transparent, even clear. In 1781, Mr . de Beaufort, former director of the Royal Glassworks of Saint-Louis, discovered the composition of crystal. This is what will allow these workshops to take the name of Cristallerie, the first of France. It was only in 1836 that color appeared in the crystal.
A unique know-how, perpetuated from generation to generation
But how is crystal made? Of course, training is required, it is an extremely meticulous job in which every millimeter counts. The Saint-Louis factory also includes a large number of skilled craftsmen such as Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. To make crystal, you must first know how to handle glass in general. It is important to remember that glass is designed by melting sand at very high temperatures, it is the silica it contains that allows us to produce glass. Crystal stands out from glass thanks to two major particularities, its sound and its purity. It is of a timeless elegance and richness. However, the main difference in composition with conventional glass is that the crystal contains between 10 and 32% lead oxide. Moreover, the regulation of crystal is very strict, to be entitled to the crystal designation in Europe , the glass must contain at least 24% lead oxide and have a refractive index greater than 1.545. Indeed, it is thanks to this lead oxide that the crystal reflects light so much, hence the importance of its refractive index. 
To have as a rendering crystal, it is mandatory to go through several stages. First, hot processing. It consists of heating the glass to nearly 1200 ° to then be worked. It is then that the term glassblower takes on its full meaning since it is out of breath that craftsmen give life to objects. The second stage takes place this time in the cold workshop. A crucial moment that requires meticulousness and patience in order to finalize the piece. 
St. Louis builds one of the largest chandeliers in the world
This is an extraordinary order that the Saint-Louis manufacture received a few years ago, for a house located in Eastern Europe. Although this is not the first special order, as in 1895 when the crystal factory will provide the King of Nepal with a candelabra of breathtaking splendor, this chandelier is special because immense. To manufacture it, more than 1400 hours of work were necessary. In a few figures, this chandelier includes 212 lights, is 9 meters high and has a diameter of 4 meters. Just that! More than 7,000 pieces make up what can be described as a masterpiece. As for the assembly, it took 4 glassmakers for 6 days to set it up.A construction crane was even required to be able to move the 2.5 tons of this luminaire, so imposing and yet so delicate. In terms of price, the owner will have spent between € 400,000 and € 600,000 to adorn her house with this magnificent luminous jewel. 
The Saint-Louis Museum to visit without hesitation
The La Grande Place museum highlights the know-how of Saint-Louis crystal, at the very heart of the manufacture. Although closed in these times of pandemic, it contains within its walls a priceless treasure. More than 2000 pieces are exhibited, all of them of course from the Saint-Louis crystal factory itself. Inside, you will also find fun games to explain in more detail how it is possible to distinguish glass from crystal. For the price, it will take 6 € for a full price ticket, and 3 € for a reduced rate. The visit should last between 1h and 1h30 and the museum is open every day, except Tuesday, from 10h to 18h. Namely, it is also possible to visit the factory, by reservation only. To learn more about the profession of master glassmakers or the Saint-Louis crystal factory, do not hesitate to take a look at the site of the manufacture!
