The art of French shoes
For over 75 years, Le Formier has been perpetuating the tradition of French know-how in the manufacture of men's shoes. Our factory, located in La Romagne (49), is witness to a unique heritage where passion and high standards combine to create exceptional shoes.
From design to finishing, each step of our manufacturing process is carried out in France by experienced craftsmen. From the initial sketch to the choice of materials, including cutting, stitching, assembly and finishing, more than 45 people work to bring your shoes to life.
The art of French shoes
For over 75 years, Le Formier has been perpetuating the tradition of French know-how in the manufacture of men's shoes. Our factory, located in La Romagne (49), is witness to a unique heritage where passion and high standards combine to create exceptional shoes.
From design to finishing, each step of our manufacturing process is carried out in France by experienced craftsmen. From the initial sketch to the choice of materials, including cutting, stitching, assembly and finishing, more than 45 people work to bring your shoes to life.
A legacy passed down from generation to generation
At Le Formier, know-how is not just a word, it is a precious heritage passed down from generation to generation. Our teams of experienced craftsmen share their knowledge and passion with new talents, ensuring the sustainability of this unique know-how.
In our workshop, old and new employees work hand in hand, some passing on their precise gestures and knowledge of materials, others bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas. This intergenerational transmission is essential to guarantee the quality and authenticity of our shoes.
This is how Le Formier perpetuates the tradition of French footwear while remaining attentive to new trends.
Behind the scenes
of our workshop
Meet the men and women
who shape French
Le Formier shoes.
Behind the scenes
of our workshop
Meet the men and women who shape French Le Formier shoes.
1. The stylist
It is in the heart of our workshop that the stylist gives birth to our men's shoe models. A true architect of elegance, he translates his inspirations into precise sketches, where each line, each volume is carefully studied. He is the guarantor of the visual identity of Le Formier.
His work is not limited to drawing. He is constantly looking for new materials, new shapes, new color combinations. He listens to the evolutions of fashion, while remaining faithful to the values of the brand: quality, comfort and elegance.
In close collaboration with the last maker, he ensures that his creations are both aesthetic and functional. Every detail counts: the shape of the upper, the height of the heel, the length of the lace... All these elements are meticulously studied to offer optimal comfort and a refined look.
His talent and creativity are essential.
2. The former
Le Formier: an evocative name. A tribute to the master sculptor of the last, a crucial and secret element of the comfort and allure of the shoe.
It is the last maker who gives each model its personality, by defining its line, volume and comfort. Each last is unique, sculpted by hand, with millimeter precision. This last then serves as a model for making the shoes.
At Le Formier, the last is at the heart of our know-how. It is what makes our men's shoes unique pieces, designed to last.
3. The pattern maker
If the designer imagines the lines and the last maker sculpts the shape, it is up to the pattern maker to bring this creation to life by transposing it onto the leather. Pattern making is a crucial step in the manufacture of a shoe. The pattern
maker is a true leather architect. From the designer's sketches and the shape made by the last maker, he creates patterns, i.e. detailed plans of each piece of leather that will make up the shoe.
In short, the pattern maker is the link between the drawing and reality. His expertise is essential to bring our designers' creations to life and ensure the quality of our products.
4. The cutter
If the pattern maker draws the outlines, it is the cutter who brings these shapes to life by transforming the hides into pieces of leather ready to be assembled. The cutter is a leather artist, who knows how to reveal the natural beauty of this noble material.
It is essential to position the patterns optimally on the hides to limit waste and optimize the use of the raw material. It is a real puzzle work, which requires both a sense of aesthetics and great rigor.
5. The pricker
Once the leather pieces have been precisely cut, it is up to the stitcher to assemble them to bring the shoe to life. The stitcher is a craftsman of great dexterity, whose work requires patience, attention to detail and a keen sense of aesthetics.
He makes precise and resistant stitches, assembling the different parts of the shoe with extreme care. Each stitch is designed to ensure both the solidity and the finesse of the shoe.
For 20 years, Le Formier has relied on a close and privileged partnership with a Tunisian workshop for the stitching of its products to compensate for the lack of manpower in France, while maintaining a major part of its production in its French workshop. This strategic choice allows us to offer you quality shoes at an affordable price, while preserving our French know-how and our social values.
6. The editor
After being carefully sewn, the different parts of the shoe are ready to be assembled. This is where the assembler comes in, a craftsman of great dexterity who will join the upper to the sole to create a complete shoe.
At Le Formier, we have chosen an innovative bonding technique that guarantees foolproof strength. Unlike traditional methods that require stitching or screwing, our technique allows us to obtain a lighter, more flexible and more elegant shoe.
7. The pamperer
After assembly, the shoe is almost finished. It is up to the shoemaker to add the final touch and reveal all the beauty of the work. The polishing is a crucial step, which requires a careful eye and precise know-how.
The shoemaker takes care of all the little details that make the difference:
Le Formier shoes are then packaged in their box, ready to join your feet.
In the interests of transparency and traceability, each product sheet offers you a complete overview of the manufacturing of our shoes, from the production stages to the manufacturing locations.
Le Formier shoes are then packaged in their box, ready to join your feet.
In the interests of transparency and traceability, each product sheet offers you a complete overview of the manufacturing of our shoes, from the production stages to the manufacturing locations.
LE FORMIER, c’est bien plus que des chaussures. C’est un engagement envers l’excellence, le savoir-faire français et la passion du sport.
LE FORMIER, c’est bien plus que des chaussures. C’est un engagement envers l’excellence, le savoir-faire français et la passion du sport.