1809

Jean Thiercelin, wine maker, bought — from the city of Pithiviers - Gâtinais in the country of the Loiret — a piece of land where was erected one of the gate of the fortified wall of the city of Orleans — to start dealing with local agriculture products.
Jean, François and Louis Thiercelin will move this activity from vinegar-maker to spice-dealer - trading in particular with Saffron, which was cultivated in the area since the XVth century including the trade of colonial items.

1869

Lucien Thiercelin — Saint-Cyrien — enhance saffron trade and exportations.
6th of august 1896, Madagascar is unilaterally declared french colony.
Saffron harvest’s decline is statistically confirmed end of XIXth and beginning of XXth century. For instance, during 1899’ crop, Thiercelin was buying 100 kg of saffron in France, however more than 1000 kg were purchased in Spain.

1900

Thiercelin diversifies its activity into sea weeds and specializes into manufacturing and processing of agar-agar, by creating a factory in Brest .

1901

Creation of the first laboratory control of Thiercelin. Lucien Thiercelin, fourth generation, built the first laboratory control and keep strong relationship with every french embassy all over Europe in order to fight against saffron adulteration.

1906

Purchase of BRIERE & FILS’ activity. Lucien Thiercelin takes over the Maison Brière. Thiercelin’s agents criss-cross the entire world from Delhi to San Francisco, via Alger, Beyrout to insure world wild exportations. About 30.000 kg of saffron were sold every year by Thiercelin.

1907

Creation of the DGCCRF by the French ministry of Agriculture. Thiercelin deeply participates to the work dedicated to saffron control during the congress of creation of the Fraud repression.

1910

When saffron harvest declines in France, more than 45 buyers take care of saffron’s collect in Spain. Qualified with secret agent skills, they pass on their precious informations to Pithiviers’ head office with the help of a secret book named el Codigo telegrafico de la casa Thiercelin et Charrier.
Every numbers is linked to a name code. These cares secure every transaction. For instance, Aristofanes translate for example the number 67. A real secret code to avoid any sudden increasing of prices.

1914

First World War (14-18). Jean Thiercelin, hurt during the battle of the Marne, is named — in 1917 — at the side of M Paul Cambon, french ambassador in London, whom directly involved in the initial work of the united nation 1919 (preliminary ONU).

1921

Irony of fate, for this men whom developed Thiercelin’s activities in Spain, Lucien Thiercelin dies of the flu pandemic.
Jean, his son, inspire a new age and become the privileged supplier of pharmaceutical and perfume industry, with thousands of plants, vanillas as references.

1926

Creation of the AFNOR (French Association of Normalization).

1936

Spanish Civil War.

From 1936 to 1945

The company goes through nine years of tremendous turbulence. Jean Thiercelin escapes from the fall of Madrid to the Nationalists in 1939, catching the last train to France. After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), comes the Second World War. Nine years of interruptions with suppliers, nine years of torpor against the fascist never put off their faith and love for saffron.

1939

Second World War.

1942

Closing of Thiercelin’s manufacture at Pithiviers.
At the end of the Second World War, activity can start again nevertheless it goes through difficult times.

After 1945

Jean Thiercelin gives away to his brother in law — Violet — the sea weeds business in the same building at Pithiviers named Laboratoire Marin Violet.
Honeys business will be given away to a local cooperative.
Therefore vanilla business will be sold to a new comer from Autrui sur Guine (45). Jean Thiercelin will carry on the aromatics and saffron business, and will create the brand TOPO.
In the end forties, the family leaves Pithiviers for Yèvre-le-Châtel.

1950

In the fifties, a strong desire to renew links with diplomacy is asserted when Jean Thiercelin joins at Paris the American embassy to be part of the Marshall plan’s control. He will become assistant of the agricultural attaché. The saffron family business is maintained by his spouse.

1973

First Oil crises.

1979

Second Oil crises.

1976

After that Jean Thiercelin passes away, his son Jean M. Thiercelin (6th generation), accompanied by his spouse Enriqueta takes over the business under the social name Tradimpex Jm Thiercelin at Rungis facilities - Val de Marne.

December 1976

Celebrates the creation of the transformed Fruits & Vegetables activity (concentrates, pulps, iqf, frozen fruits and vegetables, surimi) TRADIMPEX AGROALIMENTAIRE by Enriqueta Thiercelin.

1980

Jean Thiercelin takes part of the Aromatics & Spices commission at the AFNOR as expert and participates actively — under the work of the comity of Aromatics & Spices of the ISO SC34TC7 — at the elaboration of new norms for saffron quality control.

1982

Transfer into the new manufacture at Champigny sur Marne - Val de Marne.

1985

Construction of the new manufacture at la Queue en Brie - Val de Marne(1 300 m2).

1993

The entire stocks hold at Villeneuve le Roi is destroyed by criminal fire during the fishermen strikes.

1993

Horrible car accident — nearly deadly — which involved Enriqueta Thiercelin, during a tropical fruit supplier visit in South America on the road to Mexico. Immobilized for a long year, and traumatized, Enriqueta Thiercelin starts a personal reflection on this experience during this period of time afterwards accident — which will give birth to a new concept store for the public.

1995

Thiercelin's family settled down its first concept store near Opera in Paris.

The Boutique offers thousands of delicacies that was till now only avaiable for professional chefs. Chefs amateurs and connoisseur can enjoy premium quality ingredients distributed in direct from the manufacture.

1997

Asian Financial crises.

2002

Jean Philippe Thiercelin (7th generation) follows the class of the famous and prestigious school of aromatic, cosmetic and perfume ISIPCA Paris that allows him to keep a foot in the family business before joining the business for good in 2005.

2003

David Thiercelin (7th generation) joins the family business after business studies in business school in Paris with several experience overseas to enhance his skills specially in the UK and Asia.

2005

Arnaud Thiercelin (7th generation) joins the family group at the end of its studies in computer engineering.
Construction of the new manufacture to enhance the site and pass into a 3000 m2 size production site at Combs la ville - Seine et Marne.

August 2006

Moving into the new site.

2nd of april 2007

The group welcome the creation of Flying Pig — computer company — by highly talented engineer Arnaud Thiercelin (7th generation) and its partner Christophe Dupont.
Launch in december, of the novel SAFFRON, THE GOLD OF CUISINE by Jean Thiercelin.

2008

Launch of the Boutique range of Thiercelin.
The novel SAFRAN, L’OR DE VOS PLATS by Jean Thiercelin wins the famous price Guerlain 2008 during the Journées du Livre et du Vin at Saumur.

September 2008

Financial crises.

2009

Thiercelin’s family is proud to celebrate this year its 200 year anniversary and be part of the prestigious Henokiens members.