Hermès Opens New Workshop in Gironde
Text Jahwanna Berglund
Hermès lays the first stone for the Maroquinerie de Loupes leather goods workshop in Gironde and reaffirms its commitment to creating long-term jobs and transmitting exceptional know-how in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Situated in the town of Loupes (Gironde), this new facility—Hermès’ twenty-fifth leather goods workshop in France—is set to open in 2026. Once operational, it will employ 260 artisans, each trained in the maison's renowned craftsmanship. The Maroquinerie de Loupes will be Hermès’ second production site in Gironde, following the launch of the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul workshop in September 2021.
“A Boost for Employment and Training with Strong Local Roots
The Gironde hub will foster the transmission of saddlery and leather craftsmanship, preserving and sharing Hermès’ exceptional know-how. At the École Hermès des savoir-faire, an apprentice training centre accredited by the French Ministry of Education and established in the Gironde hub in 2023, Hermès artisan trainers teach the techniques of leatherworking excellence. As Ministry-certified assessors, they award both the French vocational CAP qualification in leatherworking and the CQP (Certificate for Professional Qualification) in cutting and stitching.
To meet its recruitment needs, Hermès collaborates with local partners such as France Travail Nouvelle-Aquitaine, GRETA-CFA Aquitaine adult education services, and the Charles Péguy high school in Eysines. The next training intake begins in October 2024, with applications currently open on the École Hermès des savoir-faire website: https://ecole.hermes.com/.
Anchored in Nouvelle-Aquitaine for the Long Term
Hermès has deep roots in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with existing workshops such as the Ganterie-Maroquinerie de Saint-Junien (Haute-Vienne) and the Maroquineries de Nontron (Dordogne), Montbron (Charente), and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul (Gironde). By 2025, L’Isle d’Espagnac (Charente) will join this network, followed by the Maroquinerie de Loupes, which will become the sixth production site for Hermès Leather Goods and Saddlery in the region.
By creating high-quality jobs and contributing to sustainable regional development, Hermès strengthens its position as a socially responsible company. The establishment of the Maroquinerie de Loupes has been a collaborative effort with the Communauté de Communes du Créonnais and Sysdau, the mixed syndicate responsible for l’Aire Métropolitaine Bordelaise.
Architecture Designed to Respect the Environment
The design of the new workshop was entrusted to Patrick Arotcharen Architecte, the firm behind Hermès’ first workshop in Gironde, the Maroquinerie de Guyenne (Saint-Vincent-de-Paul).
Nestled in naturally wooded grounds, the workshop will feature curvilinear lines that harmonize with the landscape’s natural contours and existing trees. Key features include a multi-tiered layout, with the water reservoir, car park, and workshop stacked to minimize land use. Hermès is also working closely with an ecologist to preserve and enhance the site’s biodiversity.
The building will incorporate low-carbon concrete for its foundations and use wood and bio-sourced materials for its structure. To limit its energy footprint, it will include rooftop solar panels, underground geothermal probes, and a rainwater recovery system that will meet 70% of the site’s water needs. Aligned with the Hermès Group’s environmental goals, the Maroquinerie de Loupes will be a positive-energy building, designed to comply with the Harmonie framework, Hermès’ sustainable real estate guidelines.