About us

Four Grand-Mère, manufacturer of wood-burning ovens in the Vosges for 40 years

Four Grand-Mère was born out of the association between two Vosges entrepreneurs who had been friends since school.

Led by the desire to return to work near their native village of Jeanménil, they set up a general masonry company called Tisserant and Georges, where they were able to combine their joint know-how. Jean-Luc Tisserant was trained as a metallurgist with experience in foundry work, while François Georges possessed industrial design skills

In the early years, the installing of open-hearth chimneys was mainly a supplementary activity to keep their workers busy during periods of inclement weather which are frequent in the Vosges region.

Our key dates

1981

Manufacture of wood-burning ovens begins in Jeanmenil

In 1979, Jean-Luc Tisserant and François Georges finally moved to live in Jeanménil itself.

However, the winter of 1980-81 was very harsh for construction companies in the Vosges. This was when that the idea of making small wood-burning ovens for individuals developed as a seed in their minds. The two childhood friends wanted them to be both beautiful and robust. They opted for brick ovens with a refractory concrete frame made of chamotte reinforced with stainless steel fibres.

Jean-Luc Tisserant and François Georges created and perfected the prototype of the Marmiton oven using handmade brickwork. This model, which is still on sale today, quickly became a real success. And so the Four Grand-Mère brand was born !

1989

Four Grand-Mère manufactured its first rotating floor ovens for professionals

Four Grand-Mère created a new range of wood-burning ovens especially for bakers. These traditional ovens with a static floor first and then rotating floor, use a system of direct heating with a lower or lateral firebox design. In this way, the flames pass through the cooking chamber allowing these ovens to deserve the name of wood-fired bread ovens.

In 1989, Jean-Luc Tisserant and François Georges patented the rotating floor and plates for pizzerias. The pizzaiolo places the pizza on dual rotating tray which moves in a way similar to the planets. Thanks to this ingenious technique, the pizza is cooked without handling and in a single rotation of the hearth.

In the 1990s, Four Grand-Mère began to build ovens for the agri-food industry capable of cooking more than 1,500 pizzas per hour with automatic loading and unloading. The success was immediate both in France and internationally.

2005

The company changed hands

In 2004, the two founders prepared the way to hand over the company. A few months later, Xavier Renahy took over the reins of Four Grand-Mere.
In particular, he was to develop the range for pizza-trucks and food-trucks. He created a range of lighter ovens like the 1030 and the Pro-R, a rotary hearth oven producing an average of 50 pizzas per hour.

2014

The brand reaffirmed its choice of authenticity

When Xavier Renahy retired, he was succeeded by Anne-Laure and François Célérier, both from the industry. It was a real passion for the couple who had already been aware of the company for several years.
Seduced by the brand’s values of quality and authenticity, the two new directors wanted this spirit to shine through even more brightly.
To this end, they developed digital communication and a new visual identity, accompanied by a signature image that spells out user-friendliness and the good times!

In 2017, the Fours Grand-Mère also joined the network of Vosges Ambassadors, to help promote the region of which they are so proud.

2018

Four Grand-Mère made its first steps in the manufacture of designer wood-burning ovens

In 2018, Four Grand-Mère created a new range of designer wood-burning ovens, which were both innovative and environmentally friendly. Alf, Fred and Alfred broke the mould of traditional wood-fired cooking and won two design awards:

at the national level by the APCI: “The observeur of design (label 2019)”
at the international level by the A’ Design Award & Competition: Silver A’ Design Award in 2019.

2020

The company was awarded the Living Heritage Company (EPV) label

This prestigious label awarded by the French State is a mark of excellence of our products. It is also recognition for our world renown and unique know-how, such as kit-form brick ovens, rotating floor and rotating plates ovens.

As of today, Four Grand-Mère has already sold more than 20,000 ovens of all sizes in more than 50 countries! 40% of the company’s annual figures are achieved through export.
In order to continue its growth while remaining faithful to its roots, the company moved, in July 2020, to a new eco-sustainable building, just few meters from its manufacturing workshops.

four grand mere pizzeria four avec gâteau d'anniversaire

2021

Four Grand-Mère celebrates its 40th birthday!

2022

Four Grand-Mère launches production of a designer wood-fired oven for professionals

This wood-fired oven, inspired by the innovative design of the Alfred range, is designed for catering professionals.

Nestor will appeal to your customers with its resin shell with modern lines, highlighting a briqueted mouth inherited from traditional wood-fired ovens. Its very contemporary design, combined with the spectacle of the flame, will give your establishment added appeal.
Nestor is both a pizza oven and a bread oven, so you can also bake delicious grilled meats, lasagne, tarts flambées, planchas, etc.
Nestor is a turnkey mobile or fixed oven that takes up very little space.
Thanks to its metal stand with wheels, you can move it as you wish, indoors or outdoors. It’s perfect for restaurants and caterers who want to offer their customers something extra: cooking pizzas on the terrace during the season, hosting events, theme evenings, etc.