Thiers
Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Thiers, the French capital of knifemaking, has been working iron, steel, and wood since the Middle Ages. Today, dozens of businesses are continuing this craftsmanship, displaying high levels of creativity to please the most demanding knife lovers. This is where “Le Thiers” and “Laguiole” branded knives are made.
© Félix de Malleray
Did you know that for 600 years, Thiers, a small town in the Auvergne, located in the Puy-de-Dôme department, has been the cradle and flagship of French knife making? From the remains of the first industrial forges in the valley, to the names of the streets and shop signs, the history and heritage of the town are inextricably linked to cutlery. To discover Thiers is necessarily to walk through the streets and enter the cutlery factories. The 80 or so manufacturers and the thirty or so craftsmen who work there speak with passion and enthusiasm about their know-how, where everything starts with a sketch, then a cut on a metal bar and its shaping during forging, followed by the tempering that gives the steel its hardness. Its pure form and sleek lines are today the signature of Thiers. The know-how of the Thiers cutlers is the result of a centuries-old tradition and has made the town's reputation in France and throughout the world. As such, the international Coutellia trade fair in Thiers brings together cutlers from all over the world to exhibit their pieces. It is a must for luxury companies and passionate collectors.