OUR STORY
Le Béret Français Sarl was founded in 2012 by Rodolphe Grosset, an entrepreneur passionate about “Made in France,” with the aim of reviving French beret production, a traditional craft that was in decline.
Vision and Mission
The company’s ambition has always been to preserve and modernize the traditional craft of beret-making by combining:
- 100% French manufacturing, from knitting to finishing,
- The use of premium materials such as French Arles merino wool,
- Expertise passed down by experienced artisans, and
- Investment in modern machinery to enhance quality and production capacity.
This approach aims to make authentic, high-quality, French-made berets accessible to all, while ensuring their long-term viability in the face of imports and international competition.
Awards and Certifications
The company has held the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) certification since January 2016, a government designation that recognizes French companies for their excellence in artisanal or industrial craftsmanship.
Development and Production
- After humble beginnings with just a few employees, Le Béret Français now employs a permanent staff of about ten people, supplemented by seasonal workers to meet demand.
- Since 2018, production has been entirely concentrated in Bayonne (64), in the heart of the Basque Country, where the history of the beret is deeply rooted.
Projects and Global Reach
The brand has successfully expanded its reach internationally and built a reputation beyond the local market, largely thanks to its annual participation in numerous trade shows such as Who’s Next, Maison & Objet, and MIF (Salon du Made In France). It has also secured official licenses for major sporting events, such as the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Preserving Heritage
More recently, the company has set out to revive historic beret brands by drawing on old archives, coats of arms, and designs from the Manufacture Bayonnaise de Bérets Basques, founded in 1910, and by reviving the Le Bonnet Français brand to diversify its range of accessories made in France.
Timeline – Le Béret Français
- 2012 – Official founding of Le Béret Français by Rodolphe Grosset in the village of Laàs (Béarn), the birthplace of the beret, to revive traditional French beret-making
- 2013–2014 – First phase of development: small-scale artisanal production, recruitment of skilled artisans, and gradual modernization of machinery to improve quality
- 2016 – Awarded the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, recognizing the company’s excellence in artisanal and industrial craftsmanship
- 2017 – The company recovered historical archives and revived certain traditional Basque beret models, preserving local heritage
- 2018 – Complete transfer of production to Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to benefit from facilities better suited to its growth and to increase production capacity
- 2020 – Production of protective masks made from organic cotton during the first lockdown for the city of Bayonne in response to the COVID-19 crisis
- 2022 – Investment in an embroidery machine and launch of a beret customization service
- 2023 – Official licensed supplier of berets for the Rugby World Cup in France and the FFR (French Rugby Federation), marking the national and international prominence of the French beret
- 2024 – Official licensee for the Paris Olympic Games and partner of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Rugby League, boosting the brand’s visibility and showcasing its French craftsmanship
- 2024 – Promoting France’s artisanal heritage with the relaunch of the Bayonne Basque Beret Manufactory
- 2025 – Revival of the Le Bonnet Français brand, which will now be produced in Bayonne
- 2026 – Creation of a beret under official license from the video game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, illustrating the convergence of French craftsmanship and the world of video games