Maître Pipier Monsieur Nielsen

A travel tale from Saint-Claude

A brotherhood steeped in smoke 

The Confrérie des Maîtres-Pipiers de Saint-Claude is a French brotherhood that unites pipe makers and pipe lovers who share a passion for craftsmanship, culture, and tradition. Founded in 1966, it now counts over 1,000 members – among them well-known French figures such as Jean Richard, Michel Drucker, and Jacques Audiard.

Twice a year, the brotherhood holds formal ceremonies in Saint-Claude – the pipe capital of the Jura mountains – to induct new members. At each ceremony, they also crown the Premier Fumeur de Pipe de l’Année – the First Pipe Smoker of the Year – who is honored with a unique pipe crafted by a renowned pipe maker.
No trophies or handshakes here – you smoke your way to glory.

An invitation I couldn’t refuse 

In the fall of 2024, I was contacted by two representatives from the brotherhood. They wanted to nominate me for membership as Maître Pipier – in recognition of my and The Danish Pipe Shop’s many years of work promoting the world of pipes and pipesmoking.
And when someone offers you lifelong membership in a French brotherhood involving pipes and ceremonies, you say yes. Anything else would be downright rude.

2025 was no ordinary year: It was, in fact, the very first time the brotherhood had organized an international pipe show. Naturally, it was to take place in Saint-Claude – on Saturday, June 28 – and I was invited. It turned out to be warm, ceremonial, and thoroughly delightful.

A town devoted to pipes 
We arrived on Thursday evening. The otherwise sleepy town had been transformed into the epicenter of all things pipe.

On every street corner and café patio, pipe people from all over the world gathered with beer, wine, tobacco, and stories. Pipes were exchanged, tales were told – and I suspect a few mild cases of nicotine poisoning occurred.

The local shopkeepers had clearly been looking forward to the event – every window was decorated with pipes of all shapes and sizes.

You could almost smell the bruyère in the air.

A pipe show under the summer sun 
The pipe show opened on Saturday in the town’s community center. The Danish Pipe Shop had its own table, and we greeted a good share of the 400–500 guests who braved the heat. A heatwave had settled over the region, turning the show into something of a sweat-fest. I saw more than a few pipe smokers slowly melt into their chairs and beards – but they endured. A true show of dedication.
Luckily, logistics were spot-on: food, drinks, and plenty of shade (at least in theory). The atmosphere was great, and it was a joy to meet so many passionate pipe people in one place.

The initiation 

Later that day, it was time for the formal ceremony. Along with eight others, I was to be initiated into the sacred brotherhood. We were briefed in an adjoining meeting room – and as the first name on the list, I had the honor (and pressure) of being the one to knock on the large wooden door to the ceremonial hall. It felt a bit like walking into an exam – but with open flames and tobacco.
We were ushered in and stood in a semicircle in front of a large tobacco jar. Here it would be determined whether we were real pipe smokers – or just people who’d found a pipe at a flea market and googled “how to hold it.”
I had brought a Stanwell Poker 245 – the last pipe my father smoked and one I’ve used myself for 14 years. It had been polished for the occasion, and to top it off, it was designed by my friend and partner Tom Eltang. The symbolism was strong – and even more so when the pipe was later added to the museum’s permanent collection.

After a (mostly understandable) speech in French, I had to choose a new pipe – stamped Maître Pipiers – from a tray. No pressure. I then had to fill it with tobacco from the ceremonial jar, light it, and smoke it on the spot. All in front of a full audience, in a room with no ventilation, where 100 people were smoking pipes simultaneously and the temperature was somewhere between Turkish bath and inferno. I’m fairly certain I had a brief out-of-body experience – but mostly due to the heat.
The pipe was lit, and my credentials as a true pipe smoker were proven.

Finally, I received a diploma, the brotherhood’s signature necklace with bruyère emblem, and two additional pipes – and signed the great membership book.

That was it. I was officially Maître Pipier Monsieur Nielsen.

Tom Eltang rises in the ranks 

Naturally, I’m not the first Dane in the brotherhood. My friend and longtime collaborator Tom Eltang has been a member for years. But this year was also a big one for him: as the first non-French member ever, he was promoted and now has the right to wear the ceremonial robe alongside the brotherhood’s leaders.

It was a huge honor – and a rather warm experience. Tom wore the robe with dignity (and a sheen of sweat) while the room slowly transformed into a smoke-filled sauna.

Classic French elegance meets pipe smoker reality.

Dinner and Pipe Smoker of the Year 
In the evening, a grand banquet was held. 300 guests, five courses, and wine in generous supply. The highlight of the night was the honoring of French author Daniel Pennac as Pipe Smoker of the Year.

I must admit I didn’t know him beforehand, but the French guests certainly did – and it was clearly a big deal that he showed up

Impressive people behind it all 
The entire event was driven by three key figures: pipe maker Bruno Nuttens, Nicolas Stoufflet from Pipe Gazette, and Antoine Grenard from the Chacom factory.

On Sunday, we visited Chacom, where Antoine – in true weekend spirit – had the production line running. It was a pleasure to see.
Every time I visit a factory like this, I’m reminded of how much craftsmanship still goes into even the so-called “factory pipes.” Several of the models we saw being made are sold in our shop for around €80–€100 including VAT – which, in my opinion, is remarkable when you consider how many hands they pass through.

Well worth the trip 

Also on Sunday, a pipe smoking competition was held in the community center – but we skipped it. The temperature was still full blast, so instead we headed to the Rhône region to visit Bruno Nuttens in more vinous surroundings.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip. And if all goes according to plan, the Saint-Claude pipe show will now be a recurring event every other year. I’ll definitely be back – next time with fewer layers and a bit more deodorant.

By Nikolaj Nielsen, The Danish Pipe Shop
June 2025