Mauviel 1830
Copper, stainless steel and aluminum cookware, French-made
Check copper thickness before buying: M250 (2.5mm) is the professional reference, M200 (2mm) and M150 (1.5mm) are compromises. M'Cook range is stainless/aluminum tri-ply, not copper.
Philosophy
Seven generations of copper in Villedieu-les-Poêles, supplier to great kitchens. The craftsmanship is indisputable. The pricing strategy, disputable.
History
Villedieu-les-Poeles, Manche, nicknamed the City of Copper. Metal has been worked there since the 12th century, when Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem established dinanderie workshops. In 1830, Ernest Mauviel founded his workshop in this millennial tradition. Saucepans, frying pans, casseroles, jam basins. Copper is the best thermal conductor after silver, and Villedieu made it its specialty.
Over generations, Mauviel became the supplier to great professional kitchens. Palaces, Michelin-starred restaurants, cooking schools. Mauviel copper is recognizable by its mirror finish and cast stainless or bronze handles. Seven generations without interruption, family-owned and independent.
Mauviel is the first brand mentioned when copper cookware comes up on specialist forums spécialisés. And the debate is rich. An M'Heritage M150B owner admits with humor to suffering from 'Beautiful Cookware Brain Disease': loves his pots but the handles burn fingers. Another notes Mauviel 'has skimped and gone to two mm copper'. In 2023, Mauviel discontinued the M250 (2.5mm copper, professional reference) to replace it with M200 (2mm) at the same price. Outcry on forums. specialist forums post title: 'Who's the New King of Copper?' The M250 returned in 2024. Pricing strategy remains aggressive.
Serious competition (Falk in Belgium, Matfer Bourgeat in France) offers identical performance at 2.5mm. Mauviel remains the reference. As long as you choose the right thickness.
Iconic Products
M'Héritage M250 (sauteuse)
The 2.5mm copper sauté pan, stainless lining, cast stainless handle. The historic range, the one professional chefs use. Superior thermal conductivity, substantial weight, generation-spanning lifespan. Discontinued in 2023, returned in 2024 after controversy.
M'Héritage M150B (casserole à poignée bronze)
The 1.5mm copper saucepan with bronze handle, the most photogenic in the range. Stainless lining. Thinner than M250, but the beauty of bronze and mirror copper makes it as much a collector's item as a utensil. Warning: bronze handles get hot.
M'Cook
The 5-ply stainless range (stainless/aluminum/stainless). No copper, but same Mauviel manufacturing in Villedieu. The accessible alternative for those who want French quality without copper maintenance. Good alternative to All-Clad.