Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Jun 22, 2026
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Are you looking for a French artisan or company to buy your handpan from? Do you want to know if there’s a workshop near you? Can a handpan manufacturer in France provide you with your precious instrument?
Having been in the handpan world myself for over 10 years, I know just about every workshop that handcrafts this type of percussion instrument. That means I can give you a detailed list of these professionals so you can check whether any of them are located near you.
The largest handpan manufacturer in France is Metal Sounds, located near Toulouse. There are also a few independent artisans working solo, such as Aciel Handpan, Angel Handpan, and Koan Handpan.
Once you’ve taken the time to read this article, you’ll learn:
- Whether there are handpan makers near major cities in France
- The full list of professionals who craft this sound instrument in mainland France
As a result, you’ll have all the key information you need to meet them and visit their workshops.
Now, it’s time to take a closer look at these renowned French professionals.
Are there handpan makers in Paris, Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Montpellier, Lille, or Rennes?
In the immediate vicinity of major cities, it’s clear that you won’t really find handpan manufacturers. Most of them are located either in small villages or in mid-sized towns, except for Angel Handpan, which is based in Bordeaux, and Mayura, near Lyon. So you’ll almost always need to travel outside the city if you want to visit them. For example, Metal Sounds is located in Verfeil, a 30-minute drive from Toulouse, and the same is true for the other makers. You won’t find a manufacturer in one of France’s major metropolitan areas, only retailers.
Who are the different artisans producing this percussion instrument in France?
Although the handpan or Hang drum originated in Switzerland, France surprisingly has a fairly large number of artisans who make handpans. Be careful, however, because some well-known brands are not French at all, and confusion is common. PANArt is Swiss, while Opsilon is German and Yishama comes from Israel. Below you’ll find a list of almost all French manufacturers.
Metal Sounds, a handpan manufacturer on the outskirts of Toulouse
Metal Sounds stands out as one of the pioneers of the handpan in France. Founded in 2011, the company even gives its creations a very specific name: the Spacedrum. In fact, one of their models appears in my top 10 best handpans. Today, Metal Sounds holds official “Artisan d’Art” status and runs workshops in the Hérault and Vaucluse regions. Made-to-order production generally takes three to four weeks, and you can expect to pay around NZ$3550 for the 8-note Evolution model and up to NZ$4930 for a model in a chromatic scale. Located in Verfeil in the Haute-Garonne department (31), it can be worth visiting them if you’re from Toulouse. Here’s an example of what they produce:
Aciel Handpan, the benchmark in the Côtes-d’Armor
Behind the name Aciel is Michael Colley, who has been crafting handpans since 2012 in the small town of Corlay in the Côtes-d’Armor department. The name Aciel blends “acier” (steel) and “ciel” (sky), and this artisan works with two materials, nitrided steel and stainless steel, on 53 to 54 cm shells. Offering several lines, you can expect to pay between NZ$2370 and NZ$2960 for a handpan with 9 to 11 notes. His models are highly regarded and sold internationally.
Angel Handpan, the veteran from Bordeaux
Phil Langel, the founder of Angel Handpan, has so much experience in the field that he crossed paths with Felix Rohner, the inventor of the Hang, back in 1989, when the steel drum was his instrument of choice. Based in Bordeaux, the shells of his instruments are hand-formed, and he stands by an uncommon choice: carbon steel rather than nitrided steel, for a tone colour all his own. Diameters range from 530 to 550 mm. It’s hard to find a maker more deeply rooted in the history of the instrument in France. Prices vary depending on the number of notes chosen.
Mystical Steel, all-stainless steel instruments from the Périgord
Nestled in the heart of the Périgord, the Mystical Steel workshop has been run by Vince since 2017. What sets it apart is that in 2023, it took a radical turn by offering only stainless steel handpans, completely discontinuing nitrided steel models. His instruments measure 53 cm in diameter and 1 mm thick, tuned to 440 Hz by default, with the option to switch to 432 Hz. If you live near Montpellier or Nice, you might be interested in one of these handpans. Expect to pay around NZ$2860 to NZ$2960 for a 9-note model. The engravings are done by Marion, his workshop partner.
KOAN, pure stainless steel in Haute-Loire
In Yssingeaux, in Haute-Loire, KOAN has been crafting handpans solo since 2013. Here, there is no mass production: each piece leaves the workshop as a one-of-a-kind creation, shaped from start to finish by the same pair of hands. The maker made a clear choice by switching to 100% stainless steel production, a steel that produces a clear, bright sound with beautiful sustain and true corrosion resistance. The process is simple and straightforward: a modest deposit is all it takes to place an order. For example, a 10-note KOAN, delivered with its case and ding, costs around NZ$2860. Shipping is available both within France and internationally.
BackEyePan, the solitary artisan of the Vercors
In the heart of the Vercors, in Autrans-Méaudre, Isère, BackEyePan has been crafting his handpans since 2016 in a shared workspace called “la jolie colo,” halfway between Grenoble and Pont-en-Royan. The artisan works alone on his handpans, which, according to him, allows each piece to have its own sound. The very thin metal and long shaping phases mean that no two instruments are ever quite alike. The scale catalogue is especially extensive, from Amara to Voyager, including Hijaz, Kurd, and Equinox. You’ll have to wait about three months to get one, and expect to pay between NZ$1970 and NZ$2960 for basic models.
Tympan, the sound sculpture from Charente
Behind Tympan Handpan is Eloïm Devaure, who discovered the Hang in 2009 while watching a video on YouTube. Ten years later, in 2019, he finally launched his handpan workshop in Saint-Claud, in Charente. He readily describes himself as a sound sculptor, much like the artisans at PANArt. His handpans, made of nitrided steel and subjected to several heat treatments, gain stability over time. About twenty scales are available, and a workshop visit lets you try several models. Ideal for beginners who want solid guidance.
Easka, rounded sound at the foot of Sainte-Victoire
In Peynier, Provence, in the shadow of Sainte-Victoire Mountain and very close to Aix-en-Provence, Gilles has been crafting Easka handpans since 2018. His signature is a warm, rounded tone, achieved using carbon steel produced through a patented process for which he holds a licence, a fairly rare material in the trade. He has also begun exploring a type of stainless steel with promising results. Another distinctive feature is that his instruments are intentionally compact in size (44, 51, or 53 cm / 17.32, 20.08, or 20.87 in), making them easy to take along on trips or into nature. Customisation is extensive, both for the scale and the decoration. Please note: production is sometimes put on hold, so it’s best to contact him to check availability.
Solopan, the travel handpan from Normandy
Ancelot Dairou is the artisan behind the Solopan brand. His story is quite fascinating, as he was a street performer travelling the world before encountering a handpan for the first time while in China. It was love at first sight, and he played the instrument for four years before launching his own handpan-making business in 2020 in Granville, on the Normandy coast of the English Channel. His speciality is offering smaller-than-average handpans, between 50 and 53 cm in diameter, so nomads and travellers can take them along more easily. Here is one of his creations:
Baopan, nitriding as a signature in Brittany
Baopan is the story of Franck Guuinic, who has been crafting handpans since 2014 in his workshop in Colpo, in the heart of Morbihan. Every single musical instrument that passes through his hands is invariably treated with a nitriding step, which protects the steel and shapes the handpan’s tonal character. Scales are fully customisable, giving you an instrument that fits your musical world. Baopan is a regular at the Handpan Festival. Budget to expect: between NZ$1970 and NZ$3940 depending on the notes.
Shellopan, the collective of makers near Strasbourg
Shellopan is unlike any other workshop on this list. Founded in 2016 in the Strasbourg region of Alsace, it is first and foremost a collective and a true musical fablab, where several people build and tune the instruments. As a result, you won’t find one signature sound on every instrument, but rather a certain variety that depends on the artisan or artisans who worked on it. Beyond sales, Shellopan also offers tuning services and supports those who want to understand what happens behind the scenes in the manufacturing process. For an instrument, expect to pay generally between NZ$1970 and NZ$2960.
Eforia Instruments, Annecy’s hidden gem
Nestled in the heart of Haute-Savoie, near the city of Annecy, Eforia Instruments is the story of a music enthusiast who turned to the handpan for its enveloping tones and intuitive playability accessible to all. He offers two families of instruments: nitrided steel, starting at NZ$2170 for an 8-note model plus the ding, and stainless steel, starting at NZ$2370. The classic scales are available, from Amara to Equinox and Kurd, with the option to add notes upon request. This is worth considering if you live near these mountains.
Ederod, handmade steel forged in Besançon
Behind Ederod is Florent Recouvreux, who has been hammering his instruments in Besançon since 2012. What sets him apart? He doesn’t just tune the steel; he’s completely reinvented it. That same year, he developed his own sheet metal, treated throughout its entire thickness, to achieve a sound all his own. In fact, he gave his final creation a special name: the Endro®. The instrument, tuned in fifths, is played with the fingertips. It is now in its fifth generation, a sign of research that never stops. With a 50 cm diameter and customisable scales, expect to pay between NZ$2960 and NZ$3940.
Mypan, when the handpan becomes sculpture in Saintes
Mikaël Chedhomme, aka Mike, embarked on this adventure by founding Mypan in 2015 near Saintes, in Charente-Maritime, between Bordeaux and La Rochelle. His background as a metalworker gave him a head start in mastering steel, but what strikes you first about him is his artist’s eye. For him, a handpan is not just an instrument: it is a unique work of art where aesthetics matter as much as tone. He even takes this approach further by creating abstract paintings using patina on steel, a direct extension of his work on the Ding. His instruments, made of nitrided DC04 steel (53 cm / 20.87 in), are available in custom scales, with limited spots each year. Price: around NZ$1970 to NZ$3550.
Mayura Handpan, advanced customisation in Lyon
Based in Lyon since 2015, Mayura is one of those workshops that likes to let the customer choose. Classic steel, Ember Steel, stainless steel: each has its own tone. The manufacturer works with Ayasa and Shellopan shells as well as hydroforming, and offers several diameters depending on the desired sound. Custom engravings and finishes are part of the process, resulting in truly unique pieces. As for lead times, you’ll need a little patience: two to three months for steel models, up to five months for Pantam Steel. A deposit starts the order, and the case is included. For anyone seeking an instrument that truly reflects their personality, the Lyon workshop is worth the visit. Listen to one of their creations:
ADN Pan, the wellness instrument near Avignon
ADN Pan has set up its workshop in the south of France, near Avignon in Provence, and crafts its handpans 100% by hand. Each instrument is presented as unique, with its own emotional colour: one might be mysterious, another melancholic, and another downright joyful. The available scales cover the great classics, from the enchanting Hijaz to the soothing Celtic, including the universal Kurd. What sets ADN Pan apart is its target audience: beyond beginner and experienced musicians, the workshop also speaks to music therapists and yoga and meditation enthusiasts. The handpan is as much a musical instrument as it is a tool for relaxation and recentring. It’s an approach that will resonate with anyone seeking a soothing sound experience.
Pan'H, the Ariège workshop born from the festival
Pan'H has a rather unique history, since its workshop is run by the very creator of the Handpan Festival, France’s largest gathering dedicated to the instrument. Based in Pailhès, in Ariège, he has been crafting handpans from nitrided steel on 53 cm shells since 2017. This close connection to the beating heart of the French handpan community is easy to feel: it’s hard to be more in tune with players’ expectations and current trends. The instruments cover a wide range of scales and skill levels, from beginners just starting out to musicians looking for a second instrument. In terms of price, expect to pay between NZ$1970 and NZ$3940 depending on the options and the number of notes on the handpan.
Trust a French brand when buying your handpan
France has nothing to envy other countries when it comes to handpans. From the historic giant Metal Sounds to independent artisans who fine-tune each piece by hand, the selection is broad and the quality is there. With all the information you’ve discovered in this comprehensive article, you now know all the handpan manufacturer addresses across France.
However, working with an artisan who works alone can come with drawbacks. Between the higher price, wait times that can exceed several months, and a necessarily more limited selection in terms of design and instrument scale, this option certainly won’t suit everyone. That’s why I recommend the online shop Instruments du Monde, which offers dozens of handpan models to satisfy even the most demanding musicians. For example, you’ll find this magnificent handmade handpan with excellent value for money.
Discover this handpan right now by clicking on the image below:
Now that you’ve taken these tips into account, do you know the difference between a Hang drum and a handpan? I invite you to find out in this interesting article that explores the historical roots of this sound instrument.
