The Great French Shoemakers
In France, footwear is not merely an accessory: it is an art form, a living heritage shaped by centuries of craftsmanship and innovation.
Despite the profound transformations the industry has undergone, some maisons have succeeded in preserving artisanal excellence while subtly introducing modernity into their creations.
Through this article, Saphir Médaille d’Or pays tribute to nine emblematic brands that continue to manufacture exceptional shoes in France.
Despite its Anglo-sounding name, J.M. Weston is a thoroughly French house. Founded in 1891 in Limoges by Édouard Blanchard, it owes its renown to his son, Eugène, who refined the family’s craftsmanship in the United States. There, he discovered Goodyear welt construction—a stitching technique that would become the brand’s hallmark.
Upon returning to Limoges, he brought this spirit of innovation and high standards to the maison, laying the foundation for a tradition that continues to this day. Every pair of J.M. Weston shoes is the result of a meticulous process involving several hundred manual operations at the brand’s historic workshops.
Among its most iconic creations, the 180 loafer, launched in 1946, epitomises the Weston spirit: timeless elegance paired with outstanding craftsmanship. Its name is a tribute to the 180 precise steps required to craft it—a testament to a demanding savoir-faire handed down through generations.
J.M. Weston continues to write its story at the crossroads of French classicism and contemporary boldness, staying true to its pursuit of excellence and artisanal roots.
Behind Paraboot stands Rémy Richard-Pontvert, a visionary shoemaker who, as early as 1908, designed shoes built to withstand the elements—robust, yet stylish. Inspired by American dockworkers, he innovated by using a sole made of natural latex—a novel material at the time for high-end footwear—stitched directly to the upper. A quiet revolution, but a foundational one.
The name "Paraboot" reflects this dual inspiration: “Para” refers to the Brazilian city where the rubber came from, while “boot” is a nod to Anglo-Saxon ankle boots. From the outset, the brand set itself apart by combining functionality, resilience, and elegance.
Remaining faithful to Norwegian welt construction—a demanding method ensuring waterproofing and durability—Paraboot established itself as a benchmark for premium outdoor footwear. A symbol of this excellence, the "Michael" model—launched in 1945—achieved runaway success in the 1980s, even saving the company from looming decline.
To this day, Paraboot continues its family legacy in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans, at the foot of the Chartreuse mountains. Every pair is crafted with care and a century-old savoir-faire, reaffirming the brand’s unwavering commitment to local, sustainable, and exacting production.
It was a bold move: to relaunch 100% French shoe production in an industry largely offshored—funded through crowdfunding. A daring ambition that Jacques & Déméter has successfully realised. Based in Cholet, in the heart of a historic shoemaking region, the brand proudly champions a wholly French-made product, from design to the final stitch.
Jacques & Déméter embodies a new balance between artisanal tradition and contemporary transparency. Each shoe reflects a deep commitment: showcasing local craftsmanship, favouring quality materials, reducing intermediaries, and offering sincere, sustainable, and accessible luxury.
The brand attracts with a range of shoes that are both elegant and timeless, designed for a discerning clientele who value aesthetics as much as ethics. With clean lines, high production standards, and a strong value system, Jacques & Déméter carves out a unique path in the French high-end footwear scene.
https://www.jacquesdemeter.fr/
Founded in 1958 in La Calmette, in the Gard region, La Botte Gardiane was born with a clear ambition: to design robust and durable Camargue boots perfectly suited to the needs of the gardians, the iconic cattle and horse herders of the region. From the beginning, the house has upheld an excellent craftsmanship rooted in the centuries-old traditions of southern France.
Taken over in 1995 by Michel Agulhon, La Botte Gardiane entered a new era. While strengthening its historic know-how, the company modernised its collections and expanded into sandals, shoes, and leather goods—all still handcrafted in its workshops in Aigues-Vives. Each piece reflects rigorous leather selection, precise cutting, and refined finishing—hallmarks of rare quality.
A living symbol of this heritage, the traditional Camargue boot—affectionately nicknamed the “Gardiane”—embodies the very soul of the house: timeless style, authentic comfort, and pride in a craft deeply rooted in the southern landscape.
Today, La Botte Gardiane continues to write its story, remaining true to its values of quality, durability, and local production, while appealing to clients who value authenticity and artisanal elegance.
https://www.labottegardiane.com/
Founded in 1934 by Eugène Heschung in Steinbourg, in the heart of Alsace, Heschung has maintained its familial and artisanal spirit through the generations. From the start, the maison asserted a distinct vision: to create shoes that combine elegance, sturdiness, and comfort, designed for demanding outdoor use.
Drawing on exceptional traditional techniques—particularly Norwegian and Goodyear welting—Heschung built its reputation crafting solid boots for foresters and winter sports enthusiasts alike. This artisanal excellence was officially recognised in 1968, when the brand became the official supplier to the French ski team at the Grenoble Winter Olympics.
Even today, Heschung upholds this legacy of excellence by blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Among its signature models, the Ginkgo boots—subtly combining leather and fabric—perfectly represent the spirit of the house: understated, authentic, and built to last.
Founded in 1925 in Pontacq, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Le Soulor stems from the know-how of the Paradis-Pommiès family. Initially, the workshop specialised in sturdy, hobnailed boots with leather soles, made for local shepherds, trackers, foresters, and farmers. The house also crafted boots for aviators—merging durability with technical precision.
Today, Le Soulor continues this artisanal heritage from its workshop in Nay, mastering the demanding Norwegian welt known for its strength and longevity. Each pair is the result of meticulous handcrafting, faithful to traditional methods while responding to modern needs.
The brand offers both mountain and city footwear, built to last and accompany all adventures, with constant attention to material quality and local production.
Among its signature models, the Vignemale—named after the highest peak in the French Pyrenees—captures the mountain spirit of Le Soulor. Inspired by pastoral traditions, this rugged, authentic model celebrates the outdoors and the demands of the toughest terrain.
True to its roots, Le Soulor remains a rare maison where a passion for leather, skilled craftsmanship, and love of the mountains come together in every creation.
Founded in 2008 by Alexis Lafont—an aficionado of fine footwear, noble materials, and the art of patina—Caulaincourt offers a unique vision of men’s shoes: one that merges artisanal precision, aesthetic audacity, and timeless refinement.
The name “Caulaincourt” is both personal and historical, honouring Armand de Caulaincourt, Napoleon I’s master of the horse and Alexis Lafont’s ancestor. A symbolic lineage underlining the elegance, sense of service, and quest for excellence that define the brand.
From its inception, Caulaincourt has stood out with a bold stylistic approach, where creativity converses with French shoemaking traditions. The treatment of materials, the search for unique patinas—true pictorial works on leather—and the ambition to offer elegance without compromising comfort are all part of the maison’s DNA.
Through its collections of shoes, boots, and high-end sneakers, Caulaincourt skilfully navigates the line between classic and modern, offering clients a rare signature: that of living, personal, and deeply artisanal luxury.
https://www.caulaincourt.paris/fr/
Berluti’s story begins in 1895, when Italian bootmaker Alessandro Berluti set up in Paris. He quickly imposed his unique vision of men’s footwear, blending craftsmanship with avant-garde elegance. After the First World War, the maison unveiled the Berluti Oxford—crafted from a single piece of leather with seams subtly hidden around three eyelets—a technical and stylistic tour de force.
At the heart of the Parisian bespoke atelier, each Berluti pair is entirely handmade through an exceptional process combining precision, noble materials, and creative flair. Each shoe becomes a unique piece, perfectly tailored to the wearer’s feet and desires.
Among the maison’s most iconic models is the “Andy,” a loafer designed in 1962 for artist Andy Warhol. With its sleek look and precise construction, the Andy perfectly embodies Berluti’s philosophy: a refined balance between bold modernity and fidelity to tradition. Over the years, it has become a symbol of timeless elegance and free spirit.
To this day, Berluti perpetuates its bespoke excellence, offering clients a unique experience where artisan precision meets bold design.
https://www.berluti.com/fr-fr/homepage/
Founded in 1990 by Pierre Corthay, a renowned shoemaker trained at John Lobb and Berluti, the Corthay house quickly made a name for itself in Parisian luxury footwear. From the outset, it stood out for its bold aesthetics and commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, pushing the boundaries of traditional men’s shoemaking.
Corthay is recognised for sculptural forms and sleek silhouettes—a result of technical mastery and a constant quest for uniqueness. The maison offers both ready-to-wear collections—each pair reflecting a balance of sophistication and individuality—and an exclusive bespoke service for aficionados of one-of-a-kind pieces.
Among its iconic creations, the “Arca” derby holds a special place. With its reversed lacing and two elegantly offset eyelets, it has become a true icon among connoisseurs. The Arca perfectly encapsulates Corthay’s spirit: refined, daring, and designed for those seeking distinctive luxury.
Today, Corthay continues to share its savoir-faire worldwide, remaining true to its ambition: to deliver exceptional footwear to a discerning clientele seeking both elegance and character.
Founded in 1866 in London by visionary bootmaker John Lobb, the house quickly became a benchmark in bespoke shoemaking. Riding on its success, John Lobb opened its first Paris boutique around 1900, anchoring its know-how in the world capital of elegance.
Since 1976, the Paris branch of John Lobb has belonged to the Hermès Group, which has preserved and enhanced the maison’s artisanal spirit. Based on rue de Mogador, the bespoke workshop upholds a tradition of excellence where each shoe is crafted entirely by hand to match the customer’s exact morphology and preferences. From initial sketch to final finish, several months of meticulous work are required, involving craftsmen with rare and demanding expertise.
One of the maison’s most iconic models is the “William,” a double-monk strap shoe that has become a classic in refined men’s wardrobes. Combining durability, comfort, and understated elegance, the William perfectly embodies John Lobb’s values: discretion, skilled craftsmanship, and timeless sophistication.
Even today, John Lobb Paris continues to advance the legacy of exceptional shoemaking, where elegance lies in every detail and each shoe offers a promise of authentic, lasting refinement.
https://www.johnlobb.com/fr_fr/