Nearly a hundred years ago, Joseph Renard, one of the first Compagnons du Tour de France (members of an elite French craft guild), opened his saddler workshop in Place du Palais Bourbon. Many of his tools are still used today by our expert leatherworkers.

Traditional saddler leatherworking has its roots in horse riding. Today, the term refers more generally to a hand-sewing technique, using a single thread and two needles. It's this saddle stitch which is the hallmark of traditional leather craftsmanship.

Atelier Renard quickly expanded, attracting other talented craftsmen who continued to build on the workshop's techniques and expertise. Later, Jean-Pierre Renard took up his father's mantle.

Craftsmanship is a story of shared knowledge and constant practice.

At Atelier Renard, we like to talk about the "art of handmade" to describe the artful movements which are shared, learned and repeated until they become second nature.

The ultimate movement happens when the mind and the hand move as one, as a whole.

Passed down from generation to generation, the practical skills of leatherworking require real practice and can always be refined. Even today, we continue to improve our technique.

We know who we are and the value of what we do. We believe in the importance of our unique savoir-faire which we continue to share with new generations, driven not by trends but by our passion for excellence.