French Absinthe

France is the producer of some of the most authentic, traditional absinthe in the world. And it's no surprise, as France is where absinthe first became a national obsession. In the 19th century, absinthe was a part of every day life.

Absinthe in France, during the Belle Epoque:



Although absinthe was invented in Switzerland (Val-de-Travers), it is in France that it really expanded. And it is in Pontarlier, in 1805, that the most well-known distillery was founded: Maison Pernod Fils.

Absinthe was a originally a drink of the sophisticated upper class, however eventually it spread. By 1860 it had seduced every stratum of society, including the working class. It then had achieved such a success that it became France's national drink as much by its production as by its consumption. Indeed, at that time, more than 200 distilleries existed, and it was by far the most popular drink in cafés and restaurants!

The demand and consumption increased so much, especially amongst artists, it slowly became a symbol of alcoholism and was persecuted by temperance organizations. Wine growers, unhappy that they had lost so much custom to absinthe, joined forces with the anti-alcohol campaigners to fight against absinthe, and that is why the government decided to ban the drink and similar spirits in 1914, just after the first world war was declared.

Absinthe in France today:



A few absinthes started reappearing in 1999 after almost a century of Prohibition. Since then, the number of absinthes on the market has not stopped increasing, although the distilleries are much fewer than they used to be.

In the town that we can call the capital city of absinthe, Pontarlier, 2 distilleries are still active: the Francois Guy distillery and the Pernot Klainguer one. As a comparision: Pontarlier counted 25 distilleries in 1914!

The second most popular city for absinthe producers during the Belle Epoque was Fougerolles. A handful of small distilleries there are still making absinthe, including The Paul Devoille distillery, and Lemercier distillery.

In Saumur, in the Loire Valley, there is the Combier distillery whose work has been fundamental in the modern recreation of top quality absinthe. Appropriately, Combier's distillery building was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel (of 'Eiffel Tower' fame), and its stills came from the Pernod distillery at the end of the 19th century. Combier does sterling work distilling the Jade Liqueurs line of absinthe - recreations of historic absinthe.

Traditional absinthe today contains all the same plants and ingredients as it did over a hundred years ago.
...Read moreRead less
  • Active filters :
  • Type of set : Bottles with Accessories Sets
  • Type of set : Multiple Bottles Sets
  • Type of set : Producer's Sets
  • Clear all
40 items,

A set that contains a Jade 1901 absinthe and a bubble glass in a wooden box.

In this gift set, you find a bottle of Jade 1901 absinthe and a bubble glass. Both are packed in an elegant wooden box. The glass will be shipped separately.

 £104.50/Liter  £73
In stock

A set that includes a Jade absinthe VS 1898 and a bubble glass packed in a prett...

This gift set features a bubble glass and a bottle of Jade VS 1898 absinthe, a replica of a famous Swiss absinthe Verte from one century ago. Both are packed in an elegant wooden box. The glass will be shipped separately.

 £104.50/Liter  £73
In stock

This set is composed of a Jade Esprit Edouard absinthe and a bubble glass.

In this elegant wooden box, you find a bottle of absinthe Jade Esprit Edouard, faithful reproduction of the famous Edouard Pernod absinthe from the Belle Epoque. With it, you get a bubble glass. The glass will be shipped sep ...

 £104.50/Liter  £73
In stock

Get yourself the whole La Maison Fontaine family!

A set of the three masterpieces of the La Maison Fontaine range. Absinthe La Maison Fontaine Verte La Maison Fontaine Verte is masterfully refined using an array of natural herbs including the world-renowned Pontarlier-grown Grande ...

 £57.50/Liter  £121
In stock

The Set Libertine 68 amer is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way...

The Set Libertine 68 amer is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way, according to the classic ritual. Its 2 glasses and 2 spoons will enable you to share this experience with a close relative or a friend: absinthe tasting has always been a pleas ...

 £85/Liter  £59.50
In stock

With this set you get a bottle of Chartreuse Verte and a bottle of Chartreuse Ja...

With this set you get a bottle of Chartreuse Verte and a bottle of Chartreuse Jaune.

 £44.50/Liter  £62
In stock

With this set you get the whole range of Chartreuse liqueurs.

With this set you get the whole range of Chartreuse liqueurs.

 £55.50/Liter  £200
In stock

Set Libertine 55 - 70cl

France
(5 Reviews)

The Set Libertine 55 is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way, acc...

The Set Libertine 55 is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way, according to the classic ritual. Its 2 glasses and 2 spoons will enable you to share this experience with a close relative or a friend: absinthe tasting has always been a pleasant m ...

 £80.50/Liter  £56.50
In stock

Set Libertine 72 - 70cl

France
(8 Reviews)

The Set Libertine 72 is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way, acc...

The Set Libertine 72 is ideal to prepare your absinthe in a traditional way, according to the classic ritual. Its 2 glasses and 2 spoons will enable you to share this experience with a close relative or a friend: absinthe tasting has always been a pleasant m ...

 £87/Liter  £61
In stock

This gift set features a bottle of Absinthe Libertine 72 Intense, as well as a C...

A gift set that is perfect for people who want to taste Absinthe for the first time. Libertine 72 Intense was awarded the gold medal at the international competition in Lyon in 2019. With this set you get an Absinthe Libertine ...

 £55/Liter  £38.50
In stock

This set consists of a bottle of Absinthe Apocalypse and the complete range of a...

Absinthe Apocalypse is a traditional absinthe presented in a skull shaped bottle.This set comes with two Tarragona glasses, two ‘Eye’ absinthe spoons, one absinthe carafe and a packet of absinthe sugar cubes.You get everything you need for ...

 £219/Liter  £109.50
In stock

With this set you get 5 bottles of Chartreuse Elixir Végétal.

With this set you get 5 bottles of Chartreuse Elixir Végétal.

 £157/Liter  £78.50
In stock

This set contains one bottle of Absinthe Jade Esprit Edouard and one SLIPSTREAM®...

With this set you get one 20cl bottle of Absinthe Jade ...

 £325/Liter  £65
In stock

The gift set features an Absinthe Libertine 55 Originale and an Absinthe Spoon,...

With this set you can enjoy a Absinthe Libertine 55 Originale. The set is completed with a traditional absinthe spoon, allowing you to prepare absinthe according to the classic absinthe ritual – pour a measure of absinthe in a glass, r ...

 £69/Liter  £34.50
In stock

Set Enigma - 1.4L

France
(1 Review)

 £67/Liter  £94
In stock

This set consists of one bottle of Absinthe Libertine 72, one Artois glass, one...

With this set you get one bottle of Absinthe Libertine 72 - 20cl, an Artois glass (a reproduction of a glass from 1895), along with a Boheme absinthe spoon. ...

 £205/Liter  £41
In stock

This set includes a bottle of Le Gin and a bottle of Le Gin Gin Calvados Cask Fi...

This set includes a bottle of Le Gin and a bottle of Le Gin Gin Calvados Cask Finish.

 £45/Liter  £63
In stock

This gift set features 1 bottle of Libertine 68 Amer, as well as an Absinthe Spo...

Libertine 68 Amer and a classic absinthe spoon in a gift box. The Absinthe Libertine 68 Amer is the third Absinthe of a series, following Libertine 55 and Libertine 72. Made according to a recipe from 1894 and is characterised by a savoury bitte ...

 £53.50/Liter  £37.50
In stock

With this set you get 6 bottles of Chartreuse Liqueur du 9e Centenaire.

With this set you get 6 bottles of Chartreuse Liqueur du 9e Centenaire.

 £60.50/Liter  £255
In stock

Discover absinthe La Ptite with this set.

A set containing the high quality Swiss absinthe La Ptite from Gaudentia Persoz.Additionally, you get the complete range of absinthe accessories that you need for an absinthe evening with friends: 4 Lyonnais glasses, 4 Losange Etirée spoons, 1 carafe, as w ...

 £208.50/Liter  £146
In stock

With this set you get a bottle of Absinthe Serpis Classic 65% and a bottle of Se...

With this set you get a bottle of Absinthe Serpis Classic 65% and a bottle of Serpis Dry 55%.

 £35.50/Liter  £70.50
In stock

Gift set including three absinthes from France.

In this lovely box, you find three delicious absinthes made by the Bourgeois distillery in France: La Fine, La Blanche and La Verte.

 £99/Liter  £59.50
In stock

You get the three different Libertine absinthes from France.

This set includes the following three French absinthes: Libertine 55 Originale, Libertine 68 Amer and Libertine 72 Intense.These absinthes are produced by the Paul Devoille distillery in Fougerolles.

 £46/Liter  £97
In stock
Organic

This gift set consists of a bottle of La Fine, La Blanche and La Verte.

This gift set consists of a bottle of La Fine, La Blanche and La Verte.

 £76.50/Liter  £145
In stock
Show
per page