His father is Jean-Pierre Lachenal. Edmond Lachenal married Anna Cloarec. They have two children: Raoul and Jean-Jacques. Both will be recognized ceramists.

From 1867, Edmond Lachenal is an apprentice potter in Vaugirard with Victor Rouvier. In 1870, Edmond Lachenal enlisted in the National Guard, as a volunteer in the 127th battalion.

He was hired by Théodore Deck, a ceramist known for his technical innovations, his writings and his creations. In 1875, Lachenal was exempted from military service. He became head of workshop at Deck. He created his own workshop in 1881 in Malakoff, then moved to Châtillon-sous-Bagneux. He then transferred his workshop to 22 rue de Verneuil in Paris.

Continuing the work of his master, Edmond Lachenal developed matte enamel "with pastel, velvety and frosted tones", to quote Maurice Rheims. This invention, recognized by sculptors as enhancing their works, allowed him to collaborate with several of them.

He participated in many exhibitions. For the Universal Exhibition of 1889, he sent a pair of cream earthenware vases, decorated with red branches in relief. He also presented a service, decorated with animals, for Sarah Bernhard, which earned him a gold medal. It is the fame he enjoys then that will lead the magazine Les Annales to order the dinner service. He was present at the Universal Exhibition of 1900, at the Salon de la Société nationale des beaux-arts from 1891 and at the Salon des artistes décorateurs of which he was an active member in 1904.

Also in 1904, Edmond Lachenal gave up ceramics and passed on his workshop to his son Raoul. He then turned to acting and played with Sarah Bernhardt. He also devoted himself to easel painting and pastels. However, his name continues to appear, for example, in the catalog of the Salon des artistes décorateurs of 1920, in which his son Raoul exhibited, it is mentioned his change of address to 1 rue Delannoy in Versailles.

He was named Knight of the Legion of Honor by decree of August 16, 1900 and Officer by decree of December 30, 1933.

Edmond Lachenal died on June 10, 1948 at his home in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and was buried in the Cimetière Communal de Châtillon.