Liqueur house
Giffard
French house producing liqueurs, fruit crèmes and syrups, founded in 1885 in Angers. Known for Menthe‑Pastille and for a wide range of products aimed at both the professional channel and consumers, with a production site in Avrillé (Angers).
- Avrillé (Angers) · Pays de la Loire (Anjou, Angers) · France
- Since 1885
The story
Founded in 1885 by pharmacist Émile Giffard in Angers, the company became famous for Menthe‑Pastille, a mint liqueur that gave rise to the Maison. In 1972 production moved to the current site in Avrillé; the business has remained family-run across generations, preserving the tradition of producing liqueurs and syrups.
Production philosophy
Selection of high-quality fruits and plants to extract maximum aroma; emphasis on artisanal savoir‑faire applied at industrial scale, serving both mixology professionals and the general public, and valuing ties to the local territory and agriculture.
Territory
Avrillé, near Angers (Anjou), Loire Valley, Pays de la Loire region, France.
Production method
Processes based on maceration and infusion of ingredients, extraction of essential oils for some references and distillation used on specific products; supply‑chain control and transformation of fruits in the production laboratory with dedicated stages for preparation, maceration and bottling.
Distillation
Processes based mainly on maceration and infusion; use of extracts and essential oils for some references and distillation employed for specific products and process stages.
Characteristics
- Type
- Liqueur house
- City
- Avrillé (Angers)
- Categories
- French liqueur
- bar and professional liqueurs
- fruit crèmes
- bar syrups
- aromatic and fruit liqueurs
- Raw materials
- fruit (apricots, pineapples, cherries, etc.)
- plants and herbs (Mitcham mint certified and grown in Anjou)
- berries (e.g. blackcurrant from local agriculture)
- sugar (French sugar beet)
- neutral alcohol
- Representative products
- Menthe‑Pastille (mint liqueur)
- Guignolet d'Angers
- Giffard Apricot (apricot)
- Giffard Ananas de Caraïbes
- Giffard Crème de Banane
- Range of Giffard professional syrups
What makes it distinctive
- House founded by Émile Giffard in 1885, inventor of Menthe‑Pastille.
- Family-run company (multiple generations) still active.
- Production site and museum space 'Espace Menthe‑Pastille' in Avrillé (since 1972).
- Extensive catalogue of liqueurs, crèmes and syrups (over 100 declared references) and international presence.
Products from Giffard
Full collectionThere are currently no products available from this producer.
