CAFÉ AU LAIT COFFEE BOWLS (BOLS)

Beautiful French Cafe au Lait coffee 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 each product carries a proud tradition, which adds depth and authenticity.

    These are things 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 not only create functionality, but also a very special atmosphere at the table, in the bistro and in the home. They invite to cosiness, elegance and presence, where every detail contributes to an inviting atmosphere.

VINTAGE CAFÉ AU LAIT COFFEE BOWLS (BOWLS)

At Fransk Brocante , you Fransk Brocante a wide selection of vintage and antique Café au Lait coffee cups, all of which have been hand-selected. 

A "cup of coffee" in the traditional sense is called in French "une bol de Café au Lait" - and bols were originally used to drink morning coffee. A bit like we say "a bucket of coffee". 

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

Take a look through our selection - you might just find the right bowl for your home or as a gift. We are happy to help you find specific bowls if you are looking for something special.


Grand-Mere bowl

WHAT IS A BOL / COFFEE BOWL?

A Café au Lait bol, also called 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 and warm your hands at the same time. 

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

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French coffee bowls (bols)

COFFEE BOWLS MANUFACTURERS

At Fransk Brocante , we also Fransk Brocante coffee bowls from major porcelain and faience manufacturers such as Digoin-Sarreguemines, Lunéville, St. Amand, Badonviller, Gien, and Moulin des Loups, and some of these coffee cups date back to the 1800s. 

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French vintage coffee bowls

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BOLS

Cafe au Lait coffee bowls - Smallegade 28, 2000 Frederiksberg

Can the bowls be used for more than coffee?

Yes—they’re 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 because each one is unique in its own way. 

How do I clean vintage items?

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

We've put together a guide on how to care for, maintain, and clean vintage items. 

What makes a bol special?

A bol not just a bowl—it is a unique piece of porcelain from France that carries a history and reflects the character of the era in which it "lived."

A bol have sat on a table at 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 bol a gift?

Yes, you certainly can, but keep in mind that if you're a collector, you probably have a specific style or certain coffee bowls in mind.

They can always be exchanged if they don't fit into the existing collection.