The iconic French bistro tumbler, reimagined in blackout finish as an LCBO exclusive.
At a Glance
| Brand | Duralex |
| Product | Le Picardie Tumbler – LCBO Exclusive Limited Edition (Black) |
| Category | Drinking glasses / tumblers |
| Material | Tempered soda-lime glass |
| Made in | France |
| Variants | 4-pack, 8 1/2 oz / 250 mL, black finish (LCBO Exclusive) |
Overview
The Duralex Le Picardie is one of the most recognisable drinking glasses in the world — a faceted, tempered-glass tumbler that has been a fixture of French cafés, school canteens and home kitchens for decades. This particular set is a limited-edition LCBO exclusive, produced in an all-black finish that departs from the traditional clear glass while keeping the unmistakable Picardie silhouette.
Sold as a four-pack of 250 mL / 8½ oz tumblers, the glasses are made in France by Duralex at their historic factory in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin. The packaging plays up both the ‘Made in France’ provenance and the LCBO exclusivity, aimed at Ontario shoppers picking up a promotional item alongside their wine or spirits purchase.
The Picardie shape stacks neatly, feels solid in the hand, and is famously durable thanks to Duralex’s tempering process. In this blackout version it becomes more of a statement piece than a workhorse — though the underlying glass is the same one generations have grown up with.
What It Is
A four-pack of 250 mL tempered-glass tumblers in the classic faceted Picardie shape, finished in opaque black. Each glass holds 8½ oz, stacks with the others in the range, and carries the familiar Picardie ribbed profile from base to rim.
Key Features
- Tempered soda-lime glass — significantly more resistant to chips and thermal shock than ordinary glass
- Stackable faceted design that saves cupboard space
- 250 mL / 8½ oz capacity ideal for water, juice, wine, whisky on the rocks or cocktails
- Opaque black finish exclusive to this LCBO limited edition, distinguishing it from the standard clear version
- Made in France at Duralex’s La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin factory
Design & History
Duralex was founded in 1945 in Saint-Mesmin, France, and pioneered fully tempered glassware for the mass market. The Picardie tumbler was introduced in 1954 and became a symbol of French daily life — the standard glass in bistros, brasseries and school cafeterias throughout the country. Its faceted, slightly tapered form is now considered a piece of industrial design history, and Duralex has weathered several ownership changes and near-closures while continuing to produce it at the same French factory.
Everyday Use
- Everyday water and juice glass at the table
- Casual wine or aperitif glass in the French bistro tradition
- Whisky, negroni or old-fashioned tumbler
- Dessert or parfait cup, given the 250 mL size
- Storage/prep jar for small kitchen tasks
Care
Dishwasher safe. Tempered glass resists thermal shock better than untreated glass but is not indestructible — when it does break, it shatters into small blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. Avoid direct contact with open flame and sudden extreme temperature swings. The black coating on this limited edition may be more sensitive to abrasion than the plain clear version, so avoid harsh scouring pads.
How It Is Regarded
The Picardie is one of those rare products with a genuinely global following — it’s a staple in French households, has a cult following among design enthusiasts, and is frequently recommended by chefs and bartenders as an affordable, hard-wearing everyday glass. Duralex tumblers are broadly praised for value, durability and honest design.
Strengths & Drawbacks
Strengths
- Iconic, timeless shape
- Genuinely durable tempered glass
- Stackable and space-efficient
- Made in France with clear provenance
- Limited-edition black finish gives a familiar object a fresh look
Drawbacks
- Opaque black finish hides the contents, which some prefer to see in a tumbler
- Coloured/coated finishes can be more prone to wear over time than plain glass
- Limited-edition availability — restricted to LCBO stores in Ontario
- 250 mL is on the smaller side for tall cocktails or generous water pours
Related Products
- Duralex Picardie clear glass tumblers (standard range)
- Duralex Gigogne tumblers
- Bormioli Rocco Bodega tumblers
- Arcoroc Working Glass tumblers
In This Photo
Two shrink-wrapped four-packs of Duralex Le Picardie tumblers stacked on a stainless-steel LCBO checkout counter. The cardboard sleeves are dark green with white lettering reading ‘LCBO Exclusive / Exclusivité’, ‘LE PICARDIE Tumbler / Verre’, ‘x4 8½ oz / 250 mL’ and ‘Limited Edition / Édition Limitée’, plus a ‘Made in France’ panel with a French tricolour and the Duralex address in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin. Behind the packs is a beige canvas LCBO tote bag with green trim and, at top left, part of an in-store survey card offering a chance to win an LCBO gift card.
Verdict
This LCBO-exclusive blackout edition takes a genuine design classic and dresses it up for the giftable-promo shelf, without changing what makes the Picardie good in the first place. If you like the shape and want something a little more striking than the clear original, it’s an easy pickup — just know you’re paying partly for the limited-edition packaging.