Bonne Maman: French Preserves from Biars-sur-Cère Since 1971

A Taste of French Home-Making

Bonne Maman is one of France’s best-known names in preserves, recognised around the world for its handwritten-style labels and distinctive red-and-white gingham lids.

The brand produces jams, conserves, marmalades, compotes, biscuits, cakes, spreads, honey and seasonal gifts. Its name translates as “good mother” or “grandmother”, capturing the warmth and familiarity that sit at the heart of the range.

Bonne Maman was created in Biars-sur-Cère, a village in the Lot region of southwest France. This fruit-growing area, positioned between the Cère and Dordogne rivers, has long been known for its orchards and high-quality produce. Today, Bonne Maman remains part of the family-run Andros group, the fruit-processing company founded in Biars-sur-Cère.

At Ratton Pantry, we stock Bonne Maman because it combines strong brand recognition with the flavour, presentation and versatility of a carefully chosen French pantry product. It is equally at home on a breakfast table, in a hotel dining room, inside a gift hamper or folded into a weekend bake.

From Biars-sur-Cère to the Bonne Maman Brand

The story began with Andros, founded in 1959 by Jean Gervoson and Pierre Chapoulart in Biars-sur-Cère. The company initially focused on processing fruit, building its expertise in preserving the flavour and character of ripe seasonal produce.

Jean Gervoson began making jams using fruit and sugar in the style of traditional home cooking. This approach became the foundation for a brand that would eventually make French-style preserves available at scale without losing their homemade feel.

In 1971, Jean and his wife Suzanne launched Bonne Maman. Suzanne wrote the name in a handwritten style for the first jars, while the gingham-patterned lid helped to create an instantly recognisable identity. The packaging was simple, warm and deliberately familiar, echoing the jars that might have been found in a French kitchen cupboard.

That visual identity has remained remarkably consistent. The gingham lid, handwritten label and clear glass jar all suggest something personal and homemade, while the production expertise behind the brand ensures consistency from one jar to the next.

Over time, the range expanded beyond traditional fruit preserves. Bonne Maman now includes biscuits, tartlets, madeleines, palmiers, cookies, compotes, spreads, honey, chutneys, marmalades and limited-edition seasonal products.

The brand remains family-run under the Andros group and has grown into a global leader in the preserves market. Its appeal, however, remains refreshingly straightforward: familiar recipes, quality ingredients and a generous taste of France.

Why We Stock Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman has become one of Ratton Pantry’s strongest non-flour brands. We value the range because it works across everyday shopping, hospitality, gifting and baking.

Recognisable quality
Bonne Maman is a trusted name with a consistent standard, making it an easy choice for customers who want dependable flavour and presentation. The brand states that its products are made without artificial colours or artificial flavours. Always check the current ingredient list for a specific dietary requirement.

French biscuits and cakes
The range goes well beyond jam. Madeleines, tartlets, palmiers and cookies bring something distinctive to afternoon tea, coffee service, hampers and dessert tables.

Practical portion formats
Mini 30g jars and individual 15g sachets are useful for hotels, bed and breakfasts, events, breakfast service, gift boxes and portion control. They offer a polished presentation without requiring a full-size jar at every setting.

A versatile pantry staple
Conserves and marmalades can be enjoyed at breakfast, used in baking or served alongside pastries and desserts. They bring fruit, colour and sweetness to a recipe with very little preparation.

What Makes Bonne Maman Worth Buying?

Bonne Maman conserves are not limited to toast. Their smooth, fruity texture and balanced sweetness make them useful in both sweet and savoury settings.

Try them:

• Spread over toast, crumpets, brioche or sourdough.
• Spoon into yoghurt, porridge or rice pudding.
• Serve alongside croissants, scones and pastries.
• Use as a filling between sponge layers or biscuits.
• Swirl through cheesecakes, loaf cakes and breakfast bakes.
• Warm gently to glaze fruit tarts or finish a dessert.
• Pair marmalade with chocolate, citrus cakes or buttery pastries.

Remember that a conserve contributes both fruit and sweetness. When using it in a recipe, reduce the added sugar if necessary and taste the mixture before baking.

The range also includes ready-to-serve French treats. Madeleines are soft, delicate and buttery, while tartlets offer a crisp pastry base with a rich, fruit-led filling. Palmiers bring a light, caramelised crunch, and cookies provide a more substantial accompaniment to coffee or tea.

For example, the Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve listing states that it is prepared with 50g of fruit per 100g of finished product. Exact ingredients and nutritional information vary by flavour, so please check each product page and label before purchase.

In the Range at Ratton Pantry

Explore the full Bonne Maman collection for French preserves, mini formats, spreads and seasonal lines.

Mini conserves for breakfast and hospitality

Our Bonne Maman Conserve 30g Mini Jars are available in flavours including strawberry, raspberry, bitter orange marmalade, blackcurrant, apricot and honey, subject to availability.

These small glass jars are attractive enough for breakfast tables, hotel trays, hampers and gifts. Trade pack options are also available, making them a practical choice for businesses serving multiple guests.

In Stock | Same Day Dispatch up to 2pm, Monday to Friday | Express Delivery Available

Individual sachets for easy portion control

The Bonne Maman 15g Mini Sachets are individually wrapped and designed for straightforward serving without glass jars.

They are useful for hotels, bed and breakfasts, pubs, travel, camping, picnics and catered events. Flavours include strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant, apricot, honey and orange marmalade, depending on current availability.

This line is currently shown as sold out, but you can use the product page to check for updates or request notification when stock returns.

Mini hazelnut chocolate spread

The Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread 25g Mini Jars bring a smooth, rich and gently roasted flavour to breakfast and gifting.

Bonne Maman states that the spread contains 20% hazelnuts and no palm oil. Serve it with toast, croissants, crêpes, waffles or brioche, or warm it gently as a sauce for ice cream and desserts.

This product is currently shown as sold out. Availability can change, so please check the listing for the latest stock position.

Limited-edition Advent Calendar

The Bonne Maman Limited Edition 2026 Advent Calendar with Free Hardback Recipe Book is a seasonal gift containing 23 miniature conserves and one surprise Christmas gift item.

The 2026 edition includes unusual festive flavours such as pear and mandarin with cinnamon, raspberry with dark chocolate, white nectarine and peach, salted butter caramel and lemon with lavender.

The current listing is available to pre-order for late October 2026 delivery. It is a limited product and previous editions have sold quickly, so ordering early is recommended.

For more preserve ideas, explore our wider jams, conserves and preserves collection.

Which Bonne Maman Product Should You Choose?

• For everyday breakfast: Choose a full-size Bonne Maman conserve, marmalade or spread when available.
• For hotels and guest accommodation: Choose the 30g mini jars for an attractive, traditional presentation.
• For events and portion control: Choose the individually wrapped 15g sachets when available.
• For baking: Choose a fruit conserve or marmalade for fillings, glazes, swirls and pastry accompaniments.
• For afternoon tea: Explore madeleines, tartlets, palmiers, cookies and other French biscuit lines.
• For gifting: Choose the mini jars, unusual biscuit selections or the seasonal Advent Calendar.

Bonne Maman states that its conserves, marmalades and compotes are gluten free, while its cakes, biscuits and tartlets contain cereals and are not gluten free. Always check the individual product label before buying for a dietary requirement.

Discover Bonne Maman at Ratton Pantry

Bring a little French tradition to your breakfast table, baking cupboard or hospitality offering with Bonne Maman.

Orders placed before 2pm from Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day, with express next-day delivery options available. Stock and seasonal availability can change, particularly for mini formats and the Advent Calendar.

If you are buying for a hotel, café, bed and breakfast, hamper business or event, please apply for a Ratton Pantry trade account. We can help you choose suitable pack sizes and plan reliable supplies.

Bonne Maman FAQs

What does Bonne Maman mean?

Bonne Maman translates as “good mother” or “grandmother” in French. The name reflects the brand’s warm, homemade style and its association with traditional family recipes.

Where was Bonne Maman founded?

Bonne Maman was founded in Biars-sur-Cère in the Lot region of France. The village is located between the Cère and Dordogne rivers and is known for its orchards and fruit-growing heritage.

When was Bonne Maman launched?

Jean and Suzanne Gervoson launched Bonne Maman in 1971. The brand was created within the family-run Andros business, which had been founded in Biars-sur-Cère in 1959.

Are Bonne Maman products made without artificial colours and flavours?

Bonne Maman states that its products are made without artificial colours or artificial flavours. Ingredients vary between products, so always check the current label for a specific dietary requirement.

Are Bonne Maman products gluten free?

Some Bonne Maman products are gluten free, but the whole range is not. Bonne Maman states that its conserves, marmalades and compotes are gluten free. Its cakes, biscuits and tartlets contain cereals and are not gluten free. Check each product label before purchase.

Can I use Bonne Maman conserves in baking?

Yes. Conserves can be used to fill cakes, sandwich biscuits, glaze tarts, swirl through bakes or serve alongside pastries. Remember that the conserve adds both fruit and sweetness, so you may need to adjust the added sugar in your recipe.

What are Bonne Maman mini jars used for?

The 30g mini jars are useful for breakfast service, hotels, bed and breakfasts, hampers, events, gifts and portion control. Their glass jars and gingham lids also give them a familiar, premium presentation.

When should I order the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar?

The Advent Calendar is a limited seasonal product and availability changes each year. It is best to order early once the current edition is released, particularly if you are buying several calendars for gifts or events.