Clairefontaine
The production of paper is a long running tradition for the valley of the Meurthe, with the creation of the first paper mill dating back to the 16th century. It is in this environment that Papeteries de Clairefontaine started their production in 1858, in the town of Etival Clairefontaine. The Clairefontaine brand has grown to become synonymous with high quality papers, producing over 165,000 tonnes of paper a year (over 450 tonnes a day!) for well-loved brands such as Rhodia. Clairefontaine papers are made from high quality, responsibly- and sustainably-sourced wood stocks.
Featured Clairefontaine
This magical photographic technique, invented in the mid-nineteenth was pioneered by English Botanist Anna Atkins. For this collection Invincible été pays tribute to the history of Cyanotype to create herbaria precisely reflecting all the magical details of nature.
Clairefontaine velvet vellum paper has been made in Vosges since 1858 and this collections is inspired but the emblematic landscape of the region. La Vie en Vosges and Clairefontaine have joined forces to offer a collection of stationery showcasing the excellence of the Vosges.
Let the Terracotta collection immerse you in a soothing world where organic forms and warm hues interlace harmoniously. Ohre, and beige tones, drawn from nature, establish a comforting and enveloping ambiance.
Step into the enchanting and iconic universe of Parisian cabaret with this new, very French, collection. Since 1899 Moulin Rouge has put elegance, love, and modernity at centre stage. This collection is adorned with glossy varnish to best convey the glamorous essence of the Moulin Rouge.
Sprinkled with fragments of discarded tulip bulbs this is not only a new collection but also a new type of paper in the Clairefontaine catalogue. The beauty of the paper and its raw appearance take centre stage in this intentionally minimalist collection. Embossing enhances the paper, while the printed motif adds just a touch of depth to the embossed texture
Step into the enchanting and iconic universe of Parisian cabaret with this new, very French, collection. Since 1899 Moulin Rouge has put elegance, love, and modernity at centre stage. This collection is adorned with glossy varnish and flocking to best convey the glamorous essence of the Moulin Rouge.
Ginkgo Collection
The Ginkgo collection is where pine-green dyed leather seamlessly blends with vibrant indigo leather, featuring the delicate Ginkgo leaf design. This unique pairing effortlessly marries tradition with modernity, resulting in a truly captivating fusion.
The Clairefontaine Indigo range is a collection of contemporary stationery and accessories covered with brushstrokes made from Indigo ink, these brushstrokes cross and overlap to create patterns that combine transparency and opacity, light and dark. This beautifully designed collection dazzles with an added golden glints.
Made from recycled raw materials, this collection combines an exceptional feel and appearance with a sustainable production concept. Made from 50% recycled jean fibres and 50% cellulose-free sustainable wood fibres. The Cocoa cover is made from a combination of 70% cocoa shells collected from the chocolate industry and 30% cellulose-free sustainable wood fibres.
Clairefontaine FAQs
What’s the history of Clairefontaine?
Clairefontaine was founded in 1858 in the Étival-Clairefontaine in North-Eastern France. There was a long history of papermaking in the town, dating back to the 16th century. When Clairefontaine took over one of the papermills they started to also produce envelopes and notebooks, which started the stationery company as you know it today.
What makes Clairefontaine different?
Clairefontaine makes high-quality paper products, and their writing paper is particularly popular. However, they also create notebooks and art paper that artists enjoy using. The company are also clearly fans of art themselves, as they do a number of different paperpad ranges with some beautifully designed covers.
Recommended Clairefontaine products
One of Clairefontaine’s bestsellers is the range of Triomphe writing paper and envelopes. They are suitable for all types of inks, come in plain or ruled layouts, and have a smooth pure white 90gsm writing surface.
The Europa notebooks are a classic and come in wirebound notebook or notepad formats. You will have seen them in the wild with their bright card covers and mottled patterns. Underneath those covers they use 90gsm Clairefontaine vellum paper.
If you are looking for a notebook with a more striking design, we are particularly fond of the Animalisrange. The notebooks feature covers with animals from kangaroos to tigers to giraffes and were designed alongside the famous Deyrolle Institute for Natural Sciences in Paris.