French art of table setting

The art of table setting  : A French tradition  ?
March 6, 2023 by
French art of table setting
Maison Manoï, Maison Manoï
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Dressage de table à la française ?

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"Setting a table for a meal may seem like a simple task, but it requires attention to detail to achieve an elegant and well-organized table".

"Whether you are hosting a formal dinner or a casual evening, here are some tips for setting the table properly".

  1. "Start with a clean and ironed tablecloth or, alternatively, with placemats. This step is the foundation of your table and your choice will be crucial for the rest. Once the tablecloth is in place, it is very important to decorate the central space of your table to give it volume."
  2. "Place the plates : The rule is that no more than 3 plates should be stacked on each place setting. Start by placing the plates in the center of each place setting, aligned with the edge of the table."
  3. "Add the silverware : Once the plates are in place, you can add the silverware. Forks are placed to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons are placed to the right."
  4. "Then the glasses: According to the rules of table setting, place at least two glasses on the table, the wine glass and the water glass. The glasses are placed above and to the right of the plate."
  5. "Finally, the napkins: There is a rule for setting the table with napkins. Depending on whether you are setting the table for lunch or dinner."
  6. "Finish with decorative elements to add color and character to your table. Be careful not to overload the table with too many decorations and be mindful of the height of these decorations in the center of the table; do not place them higher than the height of a seated person's eyes."


  • ​The Art of Setting a Chic and Elegant Table à la Française

Decorating your table with beautiful tableware is an excellent way to create a warm ambiance. If you want to decorate your table in an elegant and refined manner, the traditional codes of table setting à la française will be your best allies. France is known for its art de vivre and elegance. It's table setting art shines worldwide, and in this article, we will unveil the secrets behind the authentic and traditional setup of a beautiful table à la française.

Dressage de table à la française

  • An Art of Living

For some, it is an art of living
A way to stand out from others. To create the perfect ambiance in your home. When your guests arrive, it's the first thing they see before they settle down. Your table and the way you have decided to set it create a unique and singular atmosphere. It reflects your personality.
 

Dressage de table à la française

  • Comment dresser une table à la française ?

Dressing a table à la française is a question that many people ask themselves. Setting a table à la française may seem like a complicated and tedious task, but it is actually an excellent way to add a personal and elegant touch to your meal and create an ambiance for an event. Table setting à la française is a form of art that requires attention to detail. 

Dressage de table à la française

  • Cutlery à la française

You may have heard of the positioning of cutlery à la française, but you're not exactly sure what it entails. It is an organized manner that follows specific codes for arranging your cutlery during a meal. Cutlery à la française is one of the most popular table service systems in the world as it offers an elegant presentation and highlights the French art of table setting. It is important to learn how to correctly arrange your cutlery à la française as it has a direct impact on how you present your meal. Each piece of cutlery must be placed in its designated position, and the order of dish presentation is directly related to this arrangement.


  • ​Glassware à la française

​Glassware positioned à la française is also an integral part of French culture and has a rich and diverse history. They are one of the oldest table accessories and have evolved over time to become an essential item in modern kitchens. The high quality of glassware à la française is unmatched, and the variety of styles and shapes available is unparalleled. Glassware à la française is designed to meet the needs of consumers and offers a wide range of products. Their positioning is strictly defined by the traditional codes of French table setting.


  • Is table setting à la française reserved for festive meals ?

Table setting à la française is more commonly associated with formal meals, but it is possible to create a chic and elegant table setting every day by adhering to the traditional codes of French table setting.

  • Setting a buffet table à la française

Table setting à la française is a way to arrange a table based on the order of service of the chef's dishes. However, it is entirely possible to set a table according to the traditional codes of French table service even for a buffet.

Guests will start by serving themselves hot or cold appetizers onto the small stacked plate in front of them. They will then continue their meal with the main course, which will be enjoyed on the dinner plate. Finally, the bread accompanying their cheese will be placed in the bread plate provided at their seat.

  • Plates for Cheese and Dessert ?

​When presenting cheese and desserts for elegant and chic buffets, the plates will be positioned on the buffet table. Guests will then serve themselves directly onto these small plates and bring them back to their seat for tasting.

  • ​The Stacking of Plates, Limited to 3

​The reason behind stacking only three plates in front of each setting is that having more than three stacked plates would make the table setting appear cluttered. When you think about it, having five stacked plates in front of us would be overwhelming when enjoying a meal. That's why cheese and dessert are served along with the small plates that accompany their tasting.


  • ​Setting a table à la française, a true "Art of Living"

​Setting a table à la française is a very elegant and chic way to enhance your meal. Cutlery, plates, and glasses should be arranged with care. Put these tips into practice to establish yourself as a true master of table setting! Creating an ambiance to welcome your guests is such a rewarding way of hosting that it will gradually become a true art of living for you.

Do you want to know how to set a table according to the rules of art?

"Here, we offer you the basic rules to avoid any mistake in front of your guests."


1The tablecloth or placemats: The foundation of your table setting.

For a flawless presentation, opt for a smooth and ironed tablecloth, without any wrinkles.

Make sure the tablecloth covers the table well all around and falls to about 30 centimeters from the floor. If you don't have a large enough tablecloth, avoid seams in the middle of the table by using multiple tablecloths and pinning them on the uncovered parts. But prefer a centerpiece such as a table runner or a floral arrangement of your choice.

2Plates: How to position them?

Setting a table in the French style

"The art of setting a table requires respecting certain conventions, particularly with regard to the placement of plates."



To create sufficient space between each guest, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 50 cm between plates, at a minimum of 30 to 40 cm. To begin, place a presentation plate at each setting.

Never stack more than two plates on top of each other, and it should be removed after the cheese course is served.

No matter its size, the plate should be positioned about 2 cm away from the edge of the table.

"Generally, a well-set table includes three types of stacked plates:"

  • The presentation plate
  • The dinner plate
  • The dig plate or the bowl

& the bread plate : It is positioned at the top left of the place setting.

"Special plates, such as those for foie gras or cheese, can be brought out as the meal progresses."

Our advice: Avoid stacking dinner plates. Instead, use silver, gold, glass, or varnished wicker chargers for the presentation plate to protect the table and add a festive touch.

3The cutlery: Here's how to place them correctly.

Comment disposer les couverts ? 

To set a table in the French style

"To position the cutlery"

The art of setting a table in the French style requires following certain rules, particularly with regard to the placement of cutlery.

It is common to place cutlery in the order of use, starting from the outside. Never use more than three utensils on each side of the plate and arrange them so that the utensils farthest from the plate are the first to be used.

  • Place the fork to the left of the plate, with the prongs facing down towards the table to follow the French tradition*
  • The knife should be placed to the right of the plate with the blade facing towards the plate.
  • The soup spoon should be placed to the right of the knife with the curved part facing upwards to follow the French tradition*

*This comes from the fact that, at the time, French family coats of arms were placed on the back of the fork and soup spoon.

4Glasses: The rule for placing them correctly.

Positionnement des verres sur la table

Lors de l'agencement des verres sur une table, il est essentiel de suivre une séquence conventionnelle de gauche à droite : le verre d'eau, suivi du verre à vin rouge, puis du verre à vin blanc, conformément aux traditions françaises en disposition diagonale, ou alignés de manière plus droite selon les usages anglais. En ce qui concerne la flûte à Champagne, elle peut être positionnée soit en alignement avec les verres à vin, soit légèrement en arrière, créant ainsi une seconde ligne. Il est conseillé d'opter pour des verres incolores pour le vin, afin de mieux révéler et apprécier les différentes teintes du vin.

Comment dresser une table à la française pour une occasion spéciale ?

Whether it's for a romantic dinner or a party with friends, it's important to know how to position the glasses..


Firstly, it is important to note that you should never have less than two glasses on the table.

The minimum requirement is one water glass (the largest) and one wine glass.

The water glass is placed directly in front of the plate, while the wine glass is positioned slightly to the right. If you have champagne flutes and plan to have an aperitif at the table, they should be placed to the left of the water glasses, but slightly behind.

It is important to note that colored glasses for wine should not be used. Connoisseurs appreciate being able to observe the color of the wine before tasting it. If you want to add additional glasses, place them in front of the plate, from left to right, from largest to smallest.
First :

Verre à eau droite ou gauche ? 

  • The water glass on the left

Verre à vin droite ou gauche ? 

  • Followed by the red wine glass
  • And then the white wine glass.

By following these simple tips, you can set an elegant and welcoming table for all your special occasions.

5The napkins: There is a rule for properly arranging table napkins.

For a lunch, your guests will find a nicely folded napkin on the plate. For a dinner, it is more customary to place it on the side of the place setting with a fold in four..

If you are looking to set an elegant table, it is important to know how to place the napkins.

They should be placed next to the plates, near the cutlery, and be impeccably ironed for a perfect presentation.

For a big occasion, opt for cloth napkins that match the tablecloth to create a harmonious look for your table.

.Avoid paper napkins for an elegant meal.

It is important to note that purists of table arts do not prefer napkins placed in glasses or on plates.

Make sure to place them carefully on the table for a flawless presentation.

By following these simple tips for placing napkins when setting your table, you can create an elegant and sophisticated presentation that will impress your guests.

Don't forget to highlight the details and use cloth napkins for a sumptuous French-style table setting. They will make your table setting and decoration more elegant and refined.

Setting a table the French way ?

A complete table setting to set the table


6Decorative elements: To complete the presentation of your table.

When hosting a meal, the presentation of the table is just as important as the food itself.

If you're looking to impress your guests, don't underestimate the impact of decorative elements to complete your table presentation.

Here are some ideas to add a final touch to your table decor when setting the table for a special occasion:

  • Flowers and candles: Nothing adds elegance to a table like flowers and candles. Opt for simple and elegant floral arrangements that complement the color scheme of your table decor.
  • Candles bring a warm and intimate ambiance to your meal, so don't hesitate to add a few to the table.
  • Table runner: To add a touch of elegance to your table, a table runner can make all the difference. Choose a fabric that matches your tablecloth for a consistent and sophisticated presentation.
  • Place cards: For a more formal occasion, place cards can add a touch of refinement to your table setting. Not only do they help guide your guests to their assigned seat, but they can also add a personalized touch to your event.
  • Vesseland flatware: If you have special dinnerware or flatware for a particular occasion, don't hesitate to use them to add a unique touch to your table setting..

By using these simple decorative elements, you can add a final touch to your table presentation and impress your guests.

When setting the table, don't forget that every little detail counts and that each element can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your table setting.".


Laurène Desjardins founder Maison Manoï

Our GUIDE

How to set up a luxury table with French style ?

Comment dresser une table à la française

Disposition du verre à eau : Lorsque l'on organise la disposition des verres, il convient de respecter l'ordre traditionnel de gauche à droite : verre à eau, verre à vin rouge et verre à vin blanc, conformément à la tradition française en diagonale, ou de manière plus linéaire selon la coutume anglaise. Pour la flûte à Champagne, elle peut être disposée soit en continuité avec les verres à vin, soit légèrement en retrait, formant ainsi une deuxième rangée. Il est recommandé de n'utiliser que des verres transparents pour le vin afin de mettre en valeur leurs nuances.

Pourquoi la fourchette est-elle traditionnellement placée avec les pointes vers le bas en France ? L'origine de cette pratique remonte à la Renaissance, lorsque les aristocrates avaient l'habitude de graver leurs armoiries sur le dos des manches des fourchettes. Cette tradition ancestrale a perduré dans la culture française en matière de dressage de table.s.

Lorsque vous disposez les verres à table, une règle courante est d'accorder une place particulière au verre à eau. Si ce dernier est doté d'un pied, ce qui est fréquent dans les services de verres assortis, il mérite sa position tout à gauche en raison de sa taille plus imposante. Cependant, dans le cas d'un gobelet, généralement utilisé dans des services de verres dépareillés, il est en réalité le plus petit des verres, ce qui le destine à occuper la place à droite de la ligne. Cette distinction subtile ajoute une touche de raffinement au dressage de table.

Dans l'art du dressage de table, chaque élément a sa place spécifique, contribuant à une expérience gastronomique harmonieuse. Lorsqu'il s'agit des couverts principaux, à savoir la fourchette et le couteau de table, leur position joue un rôle essentiel. Généralement, ces couverts sont disposés soigneusement à côté de l'assiette, à portée de main pour le plat principal à venir. Les couteaux, conçus pour découper avec précision, sont placés du côté droit de l'assiette (CD), avec la lame tournée vers l'assiette. Cette orientation pratique permet aux convives de saisir facilement leur couteau pour entamer leur repas. Quant aux fourchettes, qui accompagnent le couteau dans cette danse culinaire, elles prennent leur place du côté gauche de l'assiette (FG). Cette disposition stratégique facilite l'utilisation fluide des couverts, garantissant ainsi une expérience de repas fluide et agréable. Cette attention aux détails dans la disposition des couverts montre l'importance accordée à l'esthétique et à la convivialité lors du dressage de table, apportant ainsi une touche de sophistication à chaque repas.

Pour un dressage de table impeccable, retenez ces précieux conseils sur l'emplacement de la serviette de table : Lorsque vous la disposez simplement, placez-la systématiquement sur le côté gauche de l'assiette, car les couverts se trouvent à droite. Cependant, si vous préférez enrouler les couverts à l'intérieur de la serviette, vous avez la liberté de la placer à droite de l'assiette ou même de la glisser élégamment à l'intérieur de celle-ci.

Lorsqu'il s'agit de la disposition des couverts à table, suivez ces règles pratiques : Les couverts que vous utiliserez en premier seront positionnés à l'extérieur de l'assiette, tandis que ceux destinés à la fin du repas seront plus proches de l'assiette. Il est important de noter que les couteaux devraient être placés de manière à ce que la lame soit orientée vers l'assiette, assurant ainsi une disposition soignée et fonctionnelle.


French art of table setting
Maison Manoï, Maison Manoï March 6, 2023
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