The production of paper is a long tradition for the valley of the Meurthe,  since the creation of the first paper mills back in XVI century. It is in this convenient environment that Papeteries de Clairefontaine started their production in 1858, in the town of Etival Clairefontaine, situated next to Meurthe river 90 km from Strasbourg. Taking advantage of rags supplied by the local textile industry, Clairefontaine is going to become in a few years one of the most important factories of the region. To complete its offer, the company will start the manufacturing ofenvelopes in 1880 then to follow those of notebooks.