France's Last Two Snow Globe Makers Secure Major Orders
France's last two snow globe makers secure major orders, sustaining heritage manufacturing amid industry decline.
Event / Economy
French Snow Globe Manufacturing
Report on the snow globe manufacturing industry in France's Ain department, covering two surviving French manufacturers and their strategies to compete against Chinese imports through premium quality and heritage branding.
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2026-08-22 to 2026-11-09 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 19:52 UTC
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What happened
Système U ordered 500,000 custom snow globes from Les Éternelles
Les Éternelles received a record order of approximately 500,000 snow globe units from Système U, a French retail network. This demonstrates significant commercial demand for high-end French-manufactured snow globes.
Bruot created in 1964, supplies Paris 2024 Olympics snowglobes
Bruot, a snow globe manufacturer based in Arbent in the Ain department of France, was founded by Marcel Bruot in 1964. The company, now in its third generation of family ownership, employs approximately 20 people and produces high-end snow globes. Bruot created the official snow globe model for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and serves as the official supplier for the Eiffel Tower gift shop.
Les Éternelles snow globe company created in 1968, acquired by Carron in 2008
JLK France, operating under the brand Les Éternelles, is a snow globe manufacturer based in Meillonnas in the Ain department. The company was founded in 1968 and was acquired by Jean-Luc Carron in 2008. It employs approximately a dozen staff members and produces high-end French-made snow globes.
Only two French snow globe manufacturers remain
France has only two remaining snow globe manufacturers: Bruot (Arbent) and Les Éternelles (Meillonnas), both located in the Ain department. These two companies compete against low-cost imports from China by focusing on high-quality, premium products and innovation.
Snow globe invention dates to 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle
The snow globe was invented for the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where master glassmakers were featured. Originally designed as a decorative paperweight, it has evolved into an iconic travel souvenir sold in millions of copies worldwide.
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