Hermes to open 26th leather goods site in Charleville-Mezieres
The Maroquinerie de Charleville-Mézières becomes the third site of Hermes’ Ardennes Leather Goods and Saddlery hub, following the inaugurations of the Maroquinerie de Bogny-sur-Meuse in 2004 and the Maroquinerie de la Sormonne in 2023. The École Hermes des savoir-faire, established in Charleville-Mézières in 2021, provides training for the Ardennes hub’s artisans and oversees the CAP and CQP vocational qualification assessments in leatherwork and cutting respectively. To recruit its artisans, the house relies on the École Hermes des Savoir-Faire and its partnership with the France Travail employment agency.
Hermes will open its 26th leather goods site in Charleville-Mezieres in 2027, employing 250 artisans.
It’s the third site in the Ardennes hub, supported by the École Hermès des savoir-faire.
Built sustainably on a historic site, the 5,800 m² facility will feature solar panels, eco-materials, and promote artisanal heritage, craftsmanship training, and sustainable transport access.
The proximity of the three Ardennes manufactures promotes the learning of Hermes’ unique expertise and the transmission among artisans of the house’s culture and the gestures of the leatherworking and saddlery metier, Hermes said on its website.
The architectural project incorporates the conservation and conversion of the Deville brownfield site, an emblematic industrial location in the Ardennes capital, thus preserving its manufacturing legacy, which is etched in the collective memory. The site is located in the historic centre of the city, just a few minutes from the station, allowing the artisans to commute using sustainable transport. Designed by Coldefy & Associés – the architects behind the Maroquinerie de la Sormonne – the future manufacture will comprise three main sections. The original buildings, with their striking gables, will house the administrative offices and cafeteria, while the extension will be dedicated to the table work, cutting and stitching workshops, as well as the site’s logistics operations. These two buildings will be connected by a large entrance hall, which will serve as a communal hub and crossroads within the manufacture. The entire complex will cover a total surface area of approximately 5,800 m².
The extension is oriented north-south to let natural light into the workshops. Hermès is working with local businesses on the construction project, and is using insulating materials such as timber framing, straw insulation and natural earthen render, and exterior brick walls. The energy-positive building will be equipped with nearly 1,400 m² of solar panels and will be connected to the district heating network, which is powered by renewable energy, and thus will achieve E4C2 certification.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
