Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers de Saint-Claude

The Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers de Saint-Claude is a French association (association loi de 1901) created in 1966 at the instigation of Edgar Faure, who was then elected its first 'Premier Fumeur de pipe de l'année'. Its stated mission is to act as 'Ambassadrice de l'importante industrie de la pipe de Saint-Claude dans le Haut-Jura' — an ambassador for the significant pipe industry of Saint-Claude in the Haut-Jura region. The brotherhood is closely tied to the town of Saint-Claude, long known as the capital of French pipe-making, and to its Musée de la pipe et du diamant, where its ceremonies are held. The Confrérie organises two meetings each year, called 'chapitres'. One of these chapters elects the 'Premier Fumeur de pipe de France', chosen by peers for their passion for pipe smoking. The elected figure receives a pipe made in their likeness by master pipe-maker Paul Lanier, recognised as a Meilleur Ouvrier de France for pipe sculpture in 1991. More than 1,000 people have been inducted into the brotherhood, including figures from entertainment, journalism and politics such as Jean Richard, Jacques Faizant, Bernard Blier, Michel Drucker, Jean Poiret, Nino Ferrer, Jacques Audiard and Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The Confrérie was presided over by Michel Waille until April 2018. It maintains a public presence through its website, lapipedesaintclaude.com, which also serves as an information hub for Saint-Claude pipe-makers such as Pierre Morel, CHACOM, Butz-Choquin, Michel Waille and Pipes Genod. Recent activities include the 150th chapter and the first international Pipe Show in France on 28 June 2025, a slowness contest co-organised with the Pipe Club de Morez in 2024, and the 151st chapter scheduled for 13 June 2026 at the Musée de la pipe et du diamant.

The Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers de Saint-Claude was created in 1966 at the instigation of Edgar Faure, a French politician who was then elected its first 'Premier Fumeur de pipe de l'année'. It was established as an association under the French law of 1901, with the stated purpose of being an 'Ambassadrice de l'importante industrie de la pipe de Saint-Claude dans le Haut-Jura' — an ambassador for the significant pipe industry of Saint-Claude in the Haut-Jura. Saint-Claude had by then long been a centre of pipe manufacturing, with companies such as Butz-Choquin (founded in 1858 in Metz) and the Etablissements Regad (founded in 1875 in Saint-Claude) contributing to the region's reputation. The brotherhood organises two meetings each year, called 'chapitres'. One of these chapters elects the 'Premier Fumeur de pipe de France', chosen by peers for their passion for pipe smoking. The elected figure receives a pipe made in their likeness by master pipe-maker Paul Lanier, recognised as a Meilleur Ouvrier de France for pipe sculpture in 1991. Over 1,000 people have been inducted into the Confrérie, including notable figures such as Jean Richard, Jacques Faizant, Bernard Blier, Michel Drucker, Jean Poiret, Nino Ferrer, Jacques Audiard and Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The Confrérie was presided over by Michel Waille until April 2018. It maintains a public presence through its website, lapipedesaintclaude.com, which also serves as an information hub for Saint-Claude pipe-makers such as Pierre Morel, CHACOM, Butz-Choquin, Michel Waille and Pipes Genod. Recent activities include the 150th chapter and the first international Pipe Show in France on 28 June 2025, a slowness contest co-organised with the Pipe Club de Morez in 2024, and the 151st chapter scheduled for 13 June 2026 at the Musée de la pipe et du diamant.

• 2026

  151st chapter scheduled for 13 June 2026 at the Musée de la pipe et du diamant.

• 2025

  First international Pipe Show in France and 150th chapter on 28 June 2025.

• 2024

  Slowness contest co-organised with the Pipe Club de Morez on 1 June 2024.

• 2018

  Michel Waille's presidency ends in April 2018.

• 1991

  Paul Lanier recognised as Meilleur Ouvrier de France for pipe sculpture.

• 1966

  Creation of the Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers de Saint-Claude at the instigation of Edgar Faure.

Cultural and promotional association for the Saint-Claude pipe-making industry; organiser of chapters and the 'Premier Fumeur de pipe de France' title.

1. 1La pipe de Saint-Claudelapipedesaintclaude.com
2. 2Butz Choquin-Berrod Regad deux siècles d'histoirelapipedesaintclaude.com
3. 3Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers de Saint-Claudewikidata.org
4. 4Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claudefr.wikipedia.org