Crafted by French artisans, the Le Creuset line of cast iron enameled pieces represents some of the finest in cookware. Pieces like the heavy duty Le Creuset Dutch ovens can last a lifetime and are often handed down in families, adding to the romance of the brand.

Actually they call their Dutch ovens "French" ovens, and they're built to make the slow cooking process as even and moist as it's meant to be. If you're in possession of an inherited pot, you'll notice they've made some improvements in their Signature Enamel series over the years. For example, the exterior and interior is now even more resistant to chipping, and those tiny little handles have doubled in size so no more fumbling in your oven mitts occurs during the oven removal process. Also larger is the newly heat resistant top knob. And in case you're comparison-shopping, these solid pots are the lightest per quart in their iron cookware category. But beyond the famous Dutch oven, today's full Le Creuset set includes a wide range of options, from woks to roaster and grill pans to fondue sets. And Le Creuset colors have grown with the times as well; everything from fennel to flame or cassis are pronounced and rich and very collectable.

Also popular and equally as colorful is Le Creuset bakeware. The stoneware comes in all shapes and sizes, offering deep dish bakers, large oval gratins, oval covered casseroles, and rectangular baking sets. Or if you're in the market for conventional pots and pans, you might look into their incredibly strong Forged Hard-Anodized series. Guaranteed never to warp, with a nonstick surface that's dishwasher safe, they've captured the premium qualities of their cast iron in a practical cookware package.

Le Creuset is in a class by itself. The renowned French cookware maker has produced fine enamel-coated cast-iron Dutch ovens, pots and pans, casseroles and other high-quality cooking vessels in the same French city since 1925.

Le Creuset's products have a unique ability to stand the test of time. The company's Dutch ovens are de rigueur in contemporary kitchens, and the iconic Flame color which graced the first Le Creuset piece still manages to look both modern and rustic. The cookware's durability is due in part to the use of sturdy, heat-retaining cast iron. Coating each piece in a glaze of porcelain enamel makes it easy to thoroughly clean and eliminates the need to season the iron. Enamel is also responsible for the rich hues for which Le Creuset is so well-known.

Le Creuset has weathered many culinary trends and a great deal of cookware competition over the decades. The company has adapted well, expanding its lines to suit increasingly sophisticated cooking needs and a global customer base. Besides its classic French ovens, braisers, saute pans, stockpots, skillets, roasters and other traditional cookware, Le Creuset now produces a number of specialty items for the kitchen. Fans of international fare can now make Swiss fondue, Moroccan tagine, French crepes, Indian papadum or Japanese sukiyaki in their own homes with Le Creuset's specialty cookware.

The company's catalog also includes items made from a variety of materials. In addition to its original enameled cast iron, Le Creuset employs stainless steel, enameled steel, forged hard-anodized aluminum, stoneware, textiles and silicone. Le Creuset's ability to embrace tradition while keeping an eye to the future ensures that kitchen cabinets of the future will contain pieces from the famous cookware maker's catalog.