Behind the scenes at our candle workshop in Loctudy
On a little country road in the Pays Bigouden, in Loctudy, there's a penty, a small traditional Breton stone cottage. That's where all our candles are born. No factory, no outsourced production: we imagine, pour, label and pack everything ourselves, just the two of us. Today, we're opening the workshop door to show you how it really works.
Also worth reading (in French): Naissance d'une bougie artisanale, every step from the idea to the flame, in our Loctudy workshop.
A workshop for two 🕯️
Les Fondeurs d'Histoires is Mathieu and Franck. Mathieu looks after production; Franck, a former graphic designer, handles the visuals, the website and shipping. Everything else, we do together. Our starting idea: to have a hand in every step, from the first line of the story to the parcel on its way to you.
Wax, fragrance and wick 🌿
Our candles are poured in soy wax, with 10% plant-based stearin for a good finish. Our wax melts are made from a blend of rapeseed and coconut wax. Everything is 100% plant-based.
Our fragrances come from a master perfumer in Grasse, free from CMR substances and phthalates. We always use them at 10% for every creation, so that each candle really scents the room without becoming overpowering.
As for wicks, we're gradually moving from wood to OEKO-TEX certified cotton. For the same amount of wax, a candle gains about five hours of burn time. We explain this choice in detail (in French) in mèche en bois ou mèche en coton.
Hand-poured ✨
On pouring day, the wax is heated, the fragrance is added at the right temperature, then each candle is poured one by one into its amber glass jar. Then comes resting time, followed by touch-ups and smoothing the top if needed.
Before going on sale, a new candle goes through our tests: burn, scent throw, wick behaviour. Once approved, we let it rest for a few more days so the fragrance can settle into the wax. A handmade candle can't be rushed.
Every candle goes into its kraft cardboard box, with no dye. And the little clear window that shows the candle isn't plastic: it's made from corn.
Labels, cards and lids 📜
Labels and collector's cards are printed and cut one by one in the workshop. On each card, the illustration on one side and your candle's story on the other, to read, keep or collect.
The raw wooden lids are laser-engraved here too. And if you'd like to give a candle to someone, we can engrave a name, a date or a little message inside the lid with our personalised engraving: a surprise discovered when the candle is opened.
From our workshop to your home 🎁
Your order is packed by hand, with a tips card whose QR code leads to our burning tips. If you're staying in the Pays Bigouden, you can also collect it free of charge from the workshop by appointment, or have it delivered locally.
And if you'd like to smell the whole range before choosing, the workshop can be visited by appointment. Just write to us.
Want a closer look? 🌙
We regularly share our pours, our trials (and our failures) in stories on Instagram, @les.fondeurs.dhistoires. You can also find us at markets and in our partner shops: all the dates are on our where to buy page.
To discover where our stories come from, take a look at Where stories are born and our About page.
