Duralex

Welcome to our Duralex boutique, the French tempered-glass manufacturer born in 1945 in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, in the Loiret region. The brand was registered by Saint-Gobain, a European pioneer of tempered-glass technology, and its name comes from the Latin motto "Dura lex, sed lex" (the law is hard, but it is the law) — a nod to the glass's exceptional resistance. In 1954, Duralex launched the Picardie tumbler, which would become a global icon of industrial design: the glass of school canteens and cinema, seen at David Bowie's table as well as in James Bond films. Duralex still produces today at its historic La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin factory.

Duralex's expertise

Duralex is one of the few European glassmakers to master thermal tempering of soda-lime glass for the table. This demanding process is the brand's signature: stronger, safer and more durable glass.

• Thermally tempered glass: mechanical and thermal shock resistance up to 2.5 times higher than standard glass
• Breaks into small rounded fragments: a recognised hospitality standard for institutional use
• Resistance to thermal differentials up to 130°C (depending on reference)
• Industrial stackability: functional design of Picardie, Lys and Gigogne
• 100% French production: La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin factory (Loiret)

Most popular collections on AZ Boutique

Among the Duralex collections available on AZ Boutique, several have become French table classics, from restaurants to school canteens.

• Picardie: the iconic tumbler launched in 1954, found in the majority of French canteens and bistros, AZ Boutique's best-selling collection
• Gigogne: emblematic stackable glasses, optimised for institutional use and buffets
• Unie: tempered-glass plates and bowls for family tables and professional catering
• Lys: conical glass with timeless design, a classic of bar and brasserie service
• Versailles: faceted tumblers with a more decorative style, suited to dressed tables

Choosing your Duralex glassware

What makes Duralex glass so resistant?

Duralex uses thermal tempering: the glass is heated to a high temperature then rapidly cooled by forced air, creating internal stresses that make the material up to 2.5 times more resistant to impact and temperature swings than standard glass. In the event of breakage, Duralex glass shatters into small rounded fragments that are less likely to cut — a decisive safety advantage in schools and professional catering.

Why has the Picardie tumbler become a global icon?

Launched in 1954, Picardie equipped the overwhelming majority of French canteens, bistros and brasseries for decades, becoming part of French popular culture: it appears in films, on Parisian café tables and even at David Bowie's home. Its curved, stackable and instantly recognisable shape has made it an industrial design object in its own right.

Picardie or Gigogne: which one for everyday use?

Picardie remains the all-rounder: curved silhouette, sizes from 9 cl to 36 cl covering water, light wine, juice and even plain yoghurt. Gigogne, taller and straighter, stacks more efficiently when storage space is limited or when entertaining large numbers. For a family with children, the 22 cl Picardie is a classic; for tight cupboards in a small flat or buffet service, Gigogne saves space without compromising on tempered-glass durability.

Which Duralex glass for which use?

Picardie remains the reliable choice for everyday use and professional catering. Gigogne, taller and slimmer, stacks perfectly for institutional use and buffets. Lys, with its conical shape, is particularly well suited to bar and brasserie service. Unie completes the set with tempered-glass plates and bowls, following the same logic of resistance and stackability.

Duralex on AZ Boutique

Discover the Duralex products on AZ Boutique, mainly in Glasses and Tableware: Picardie, Lys and Gigogne tumblers, Unie plates and tempered-glass tableware accessories made in France.