Clement Faugier Marrons Glacés: The Legendary French Candied Chestnuts of Ardèche

For lovers of traditional French confectionery, few delicacies are as luxurious and iconic as marrons glacés. Soft, delicately candied and beautifully refined, these gourmet chestnuts have long been associated with French elegance, festive celebrations and artisan craftsmanship.

Among the most famous producers in France, Clement Faugier stands as the undisputed master of marrons glacés and crème de marrons de l’Ardèche. With more than 140 years of history, the company remains one of France’s most treasured gourmet food brands.

At The Good Food Network, we are proud to offer authentic Clement Faugier marrons glacés — a true taste of French gastronomic heritage.

What Are Marrons Glacés?

Marrons glacés are premium candied chestnuts slowly glazed in sugar syrup using a traditional French confectionery process that dates back centuries.

Highly prized for their delicate texture and luxurious sweetness, marrons glacés are considered one of France’s most elegant gourmet treats and are especially popular during Christmas and festive celebrations.

The finest examples come from the Ardèche region of southeastern France, famous for its abundant chestnut forests and long chestnut-growing tradition.

The History of Clement Faugier

Founded in Ardèche in 1882

Clement Faugier was founded in 1882 by Mr. Clément Faugier in Privas, in the heart of the Ardèche region of France.

At the time, Ardèche was rich in chestnut trees but facing economic difficulties due to the decline of the silk and textile industries. Recognising the region’s abundant chestnuts and available workforce, Clément Faugier had the visionary idea of producing marrons glacés on a commercial scale for the first time.

Until then, candied chestnuts had largely been handcrafted by local confectioners in limited quantities.

The company would soon become one of the great names in French gourmet confectionery.

The Creation of Crème de Marrons de l’Ardèche

How Broken Marrons Glacés Created an Iconic French Spread

Producing marrons glacés is an extremely delicate process and many chestnuts naturally break during preparation.

Rather than waste these precious pieces, Clement Faugier developed a brilliant innovation in 1885 — Crème de Marrons de l’Ardèche.

The recipe combined broken candied chestnuts with chestnut purée, sugar, glucose syrup and a touch of vanilla to create a smooth, sweet chestnut cream with remarkable flavour.

Today, Crème de Marrons Clement Faugier remains one of France’s most beloved sweet spreads and dessert ingredients. Remarkably, both the original recipe and the iconic tin packaging have remained virtually unchanged for generations.

Clement Faugier Revolutionised Marrons Glacés

The Innovation of Sous Vide Marrons Glacés

In the late 19th century, marrons glacés were traditionally only enjoyed during Christmas because of their limited shelf life.

In 1890, Clement Faugier pioneered the development of airtight “sous vide” packaging for marrons glacés, dramatically extending their freshness and allowing these luxurious chestnuts to be enjoyed throughout the year.

This innovation helped introduce marrons glacés to a far wider international audience and established Clement Faugier as a global reference for premium candied chestnuts.

The Famous Marono Mascot

In 1938, Clement Faugier introduced the charming “Marono” mascot — the smiling chestnut character that still appears on the company’s products today.

This instantly recognisable logo has become an enduring symbol of French chestnut confectionery and gourmet tradition.

Modern Production With Traditional Craftsmanship

To meet growing worldwide demand, Clement Faugier opened a large modern production facility in Privas during 1991–1992.

Despite the modernisation, the company has remained deeply committed to preserving the authentic quality and traditional expertise that made its marrons glacés famous.

Today, Clement Faugier continues to combine innovation with heritage, producing a range of chestnut specialities enjoyed throughout France and around the world.

Clement Faugier Products

Marrons Glacés

The company’s most famous speciality remains its exquisite marrons glacés — whole candied chestnuts with a delicate glazed coating and melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Elegant, luxurious and deeply traditional, they are widely considered among the finest candied chestnuts available in France.

Perfect for:

• Gourmet gifts
• Christmas entertaining
• Fine dessert platters
• Luxury French food hampers
• Pairing with Champagne or dessert wine

Crème de Marrons de l’Ardèche

This iconic sweet chestnut cream is loved for its velvety texture and rich chestnut flavour.

Popular uses include:

• Spread on toast or brioche
• Filling for crêpes and pastries
• Swirled into yoghurt
• Served with ice cream
• Used in Mont Blanc desserts

The famous tube and tin formats have become classic staples in French kitchens.

Other Chestnut Specialities

Over the decades, Clement Faugier has expanded its range to include:

• Sweet chestnut purées
• Savoury cooked chestnuts
• Chestnut sweets and snacks
• Convenient modern packaging formats

These innovations have helped introduce traditional French chestnut products to new generations of gourmet food lovers.

Why Is Ardèche Famous for Chestnuts?

The Ardèche region has been associated with chestnuts for centuries due to its ideal climate and extensive chestnut forests.

Often called the “bread tree” of the Cévennes and Ardèche mountains, chestnuts historically formed a major part of the local diet and economy.

Today, Ardèche remains the spiritual home of premium French chestnut products and the birthplace of some of France’s finest marrons glacés.

Discover Clement Faugier at The Good Food Network

At The Good Food Network, we are delighted to offer authentic Clement Faugier marrons glacés — one of France’s most iconic gourmet confectionery specialities.

These luxurious candied chestnuts bring the authentic taste of Ardèche directly to your table and make a perfect indulgent treat or elegant gourmet gift.