Abstract: An optical element retaining device has a substrate and a convex section integrally bonded to the substrate for retaining at least one optical fiber. The convex section includes at least one groove for retaining the optical fiber. A mold having at least one groove is used to form the convex section. A mixture of, for example, ceramic powder and a binder is filled in the groove of the mold. The substrate is brought into contact with the mold with the mixture being placed between the mold and the substrate. Then the mold is removed from the substrate while leaving the mixture defining the convex section on the substrate. The substrate and the molded convex section are burned or sintered to permanently bonded to one another.