Founded in 1740 in one of the towers of the castle of Vicennes, with the support of King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. In 1745, thanks to a royal privilege, it obtained the monopoly on the fabrication of painted and gilded porcelain in France, and was the only one authorized to use 24 carat gold. In 1756 it moved to Sèvres, the town from which it receives it name, and came under control of the crown in 1759.
In 1753, when Louis XV became the main partner in the factory, it was allowed to use the royal monogram as its stamp, to which a letter was added to indicate the year of production. These marks were used until 1793.