Behind the Scenes at Maison Mauriès

At Saphir, we are committed to showcasing the artisans who preserve the craftsmanship of leather and help extend the life of your shoes every day. With this in mind, we met Maximilien Mauriès, founder of Maison Mauriès, a traditional shoe repair workshop nestled in the heart of Montmartre. Yet nothing initially destined Maximilien Mauriès to become a shoemaker. After studying business and spending several years in the banking sector, he decided to follow his passion for fine footwear and retrained as a shoemaker around ten years ago. Today, his workshop has become a must-visit destination for lovers of quality shoes.

Behind its charming blue storefront, the workshop immediately immerses visitors in an authentic atmosphere. Well-worn workbenches, historic machines still in operation, the scent of leather and shoe polish, and shoes waiting to be repaired all contribute to its warm and inviting character. For one morning, we followed Maximilien and his team as they carried out everything from routine repairs to more technical restorations. “The repair we perform most often is protective work. Most of it involves fitting protective sole pads and heel protectors.” But the workshop's expertise goes far beyond that, encompassing resoling, leather goods repairs, and complete leather care. All of these services help extend the life of a pair of shoes. “If you want to keep a beautiful pair of shoes for a long time, you have to accept that they'll wear over time and repair them when necessary. Soles are a bit like the tyres on a car: they wear out, you replace them, and the shoes keep on going.”

During our visit, Maximilien introduced us to the restoration of an elegant pair of smooth leather brogues, carefully cleaned, nourished, recoloured and enhanced with a beautiful mirror shine. We also followed the restoration of a pair of ankle boots combining smooth leather and suede, demonstrating the importance of adapting both techniques and products to each material. Throughout these restorations, Saphir products naturally accompanied every stage of the process: cleaning, nourishing, recolouring, protecting and finishing.

Maximilien Mauriès also shared his perspective on the evolution of the industry. “It's not so much the craftsmanship that has changed, but the quality of certain leathers. Today, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to control costs, and that can sometimes be reflected in the hides they use.” In his view, this evolution affects the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to tanneries. Nevertheless, the finest shoemakers continue to uphold demanding manufacturing standards, and quality shoes are still designed to be cared for, repaired and passed down rather than replaced.

This philosophy is part of a broader movement that is restoring the value of the shoemaking trade. “There's a genuine revival of interest in repairing instead of throwing things away. More and more people are embracing this mindset. I truly believe the profession has a bright future. The real challenge will be training the next generation well enough to pass on this expertise.”

Our visit to Maison Mauriès is a reminder that a fine pair of shoes is much more than a simple accessory. It is an object that develops character over time and deserves regular care to accompany its owner for many years. At Saphir, we fully share this philosophy. Preserving leather, passing on the right care techniques, and supporting artisans with products of exceptional quality are at the heart of our commitment.

We warmly thank Maximilien Mauriès for opening the doors of his workshop to us and for giving us the opportunity to discover his daily work.