Bistro collection from Fermob

Truly iconic

The concept of folding chairs for café terraces came about in the 19th Century in France.

By allowing the owner to fold them away and store them off the terrace, it meant they could avoid paying a license for a permanent terrace.

The design was patented in 1889 as “Simplex” by Edouard Leclerc (not to be confused with the founder of the E.Leclerc supermarket!), the same year as the Eiffel Tower was opened and Fermob have developed the modern version from that patent.

Not just for cafés

Fermob have extended the range since they re-invented it and Bistro now offers the most extensive choice with ten tables (plus a couple of special tables, like the high table and the balcony table), four chairs (plus a high, bar chair) and even a sun lounger.

We’ve even used our chairs when camping; they fold up flat and weigh less than 5 kg.

The colours

Most of the Bistro collection is available in all the Fermob colours:

The exception is limited to two of the four chairs available; the Bistro Classic chair (with lacquered, painted wooden slats) and the Bistro Duraflon® chair (resin slats) are only available in two colours:

Cotton White

Cedar Green

The table sizes

Ranging from the smallest at 37 cm × 57 cm, up to the 117 cm diameter, Bistro tables can accommodate from two people up to eight.

And a choice of four round tables (from 60 cm diameter up to 117 cm diameter), four rectangular tables and two square tables, it should be possible to find a table for any space.

You might want to also see…

There are some other collections from Fermob that you might want to consider alongside Bistro.

The Floreal range has three sizes of circular table with perforated patterns to the tabletop.

Caractère and Cargo tables are more substantial, larger variations on square and rectangular folding tables.

Bistro+ is a recent addition to the Fermob collection and features thicker tops with seamless edges.