The story of Cousances© began in 1553, when Jehan Barisien paid the lord of the manor for the right to cast iron. His foundry, the first cast iron cookware foundry in the world, was called Cousances. Four centuries after Cousances poured its first cocotte, fellow cast iron expert Le Creuset purchased the original Cousances brand and foundry in 1957. This expansion added an important chapter to Le Creuset's story of French heritage and elegant craftsmanship.