CAFÉ AU LAIT BOWLS (BOWLS)

Lovely French Café au Lait bowls - also known as French bols.

WHY CHOOSE FRENCH VINTAGE PRODUCTS

  • AUTHENTICITY

    Old French products have soul and history.

    A rich cultural heritage means that every product carries a proud tradition, which provides depth and authenticity.

    These are items created to be used, loved, and preserved through generations.

  • QUALITY & DESIGN

    French quality is meticulous craftsmanship that is about more than just function – it is about tradition, details, and timeless design.

    Each product is created with a focus on durability, carefully selected materials, and the characteristic French expression.

  • ATMOSPHERE

    French products create not only functionality, but also a very special ambiance at the table, in the bistro, and in the home. They invite a sense of coziness, elegance, and presence, where every detail contributes to an inviting atmosphere.

VINTAGE CAFÉ AU LAIT BOWLS

At Fransk Brocante, you will find a wide selection of vintage and antique Café au Lait bowls, all of which are hand-picked.

A "cup of coffee" in the traditional sense is called "une bol de Café au Lait" in French – and bowls were originally used for drinking morning coffee. Much like how we might say "a bucket of coffee".

The French coffee bowls range from elegant porcelain bowls with delicate glaze from the early 1900s to rustic, patinated clay and earthenware bowls that have been used for morning coffee for generations.

Take a look at our selection – perhaps you will find the perfect bowl for your home or as a gift. We are happy to help you find specific bowls if you are looking for something special.


Bol Grand-Mere

WHAT IS A BOWL / COFFEE BOWL?

A Café au Lait coffee bowl, also known as a bol, is a wide bowl traditionally used in France to serve coffee with hot milk. The wide shape makes it easy to dip bread or croissants directly into the coffee while warming your hands. 

Each bowl has its own unique story, and in traditional French homes, you can still find coffee bowls with names on them. To each person, their own bol.

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Franske kaffeskåle (bols)

COFFEE BOWL MANUFACTURERS

At Fransk Brocante, we also have coffee bowls from the great porcelain and earthenware houses such as Digoin - Sarreguemines, Luneville, St. Amand, Badonviller, Gien and Moulin des Loups, and some of the coffee bowls date back to the 1800s.

See all coffee bowls

French vintage coffee bowls

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BOLS

Cafe au Lait kaffeskåle - Smallegade 28, 2000 Frederiksberg

Can the bowls be used for anything other than coffee?

Yes – they are perfect for breakfast bowls, hot cocoa, soup, desserts, or as small serving bowls for fruit and nuts.

Many people also use them as decorative elements in their home, because they are all unique in their own way. 

How do I clean vintage products?

We recommend hand washing with lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid the dishwasher, especially for antique bowls, as it can damage the glaze and patina.

We have created a guide on how to care for, maintain - and also clean - vintage products.

What makes a coffee bowl so special?

A coffee bowl is not just a bowl - it is a unique piece of porcelain from France that carries a history and possesses character from the time it "lived" its life.

A bowl may have stood in a French country house, in a café, or been part of a family's daily routine.

Therefore, many of the coffee bowls also have patina, as they have lived for many years. Several of our coffee bowls date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.

So a lot of coffee has been drunk!

Can I give a coffee bowl as a gift?

Yes, you certainly can, but also keep in mind that if you are a collector, you have a specific style or certain coffee cups that you are looking for.

They can always be exchanged if they do not fit into the existing collection.