Palais des Thés ; The Story of the French Tea House

For years, Palais des Thés has accompanied tea lovers with creations that invite travel. Behind every cup lie a story, know-how and real passion. A look back at the journey of a French house that has become a reference.

Palais des Thés ; A Tea Pioneer in France

Long before the craze for loose-leaf tea, a Parisian house bet on quality. Its journey sheds light on the whole history of tea in France.

A Story that Begins in Paris in 1986

Founded in Paris in 1986, the house quickly shook up the tea market in France. At the time, tea bags still dominated the shelves. Palais des Thés made a different choice and selected single-origin teas known for their quality. François-Xavier Delmas then took over the company and invented the job of tea hunter. He travels through tea gardens, meets producers and selects the best crus. This approach makes it possible to import teas directly from Asia, without intermediaries. The brand sells several hundred tonnes of tea every year. It has more than a hundred shops around the world. Despite this growth, the house remains true to its passion and its high standards.

Photo credits ; Guillaume Czerw

A Tea House Focused on Innovation

Creation, transmission and sharing guide each of the house’s projects. This curiosity gives rise to very varied initiatives.

Palais des Thés ; Between Innovation, Culture and Know-How

Since its creation, the house has developed the world of tea with innovative projects. In 1994, the magazine Bruits de Palais highlighted the women and men of tea. In 1998, the house created the famous Thé du Hammam. The following year, it opened the École du Thé to pass on its know-how. In 2024, the company opened a Manufacture in Georgia. Employees there discover every stage of tea production. Collaborations have also emerged with the Musée Guimet, the Grand Palais and the Louvre. These partnerships give rise to original creations such as the Thés du Louvre. At the same time, the brand launched L’Atelier du Vrac, a more eco-friendly shop concept. A wide selection of Ecocert-certified organic teas completes this commitment.

Palais des Thés ; A World beyond the Cup

The passion for tea goes far beyond tasting. Several media extend the experience, to listen to or leaf through.

Podcasts, Magazines and Tea Culture

The podcast Un thé, un voyage invites you to discover the world’s great terroirs. François-Xavier Delmas and Sidonie Bonnec tell the story of teas and their producers. Some episodes even suggest surprising pairings of tea and cheese. Reading enthusiasts also enjoy Bruits de Palais. This quarterly magazine gathers recipes, portraits and reports from the heart of the plantations. Each issue highlights the women and men who shape the world of tea. This content passes on a true tea culture.

Palais des Thés ; A House to Find as Far as Lausanne

Palais des Thés also has a shop in Lausanne, on Rue Saint-Laurent. Tea lovers in French-speaking Switzerland can thus enjoy its creations without crossing the border.

Favourite Teas through the Seasons

It all began with a discovery at a reseller. It was love at first sip. Since then, every visit to the shop has been a new discovery. The seasonal creations always make you want to come back. The shops in Annemasse, Val Thoiry and Lyon have become essential stops. The brand manages to renew itself without losing its identity. Its world remains elegant, accessible and deeply sensory. Each cup invites travel. The recipe section of the website also feeds inspiration through the seasons.

Favourite creations include Blue of London, Thé des Lords, Jardin Fruité, Chai Impérial and Thé des Gourmets. Thé à la Violette, Milky Oolong Bio, Fleur de Geisha and Thé Merveilleux complete this selection. Each tea reveals a unique personality, between tradition, creativity and escape.

Other addresses extend the tea break in Lausanne, such as Saveur PimenThé (in French). Lovers of sweets also enjoy the region’s afternoon teas (in French).

Photo credits ; Palais des Thés

Rue Saint-Laurent 12, 1003 Lausanne
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Palais des Thés