An umbrella
Made in France

At François umbrella factory, you can be sure of an umbrella made in France.

Since 1882 and 5 generations in our family, our boutique and workshop is still located in the same place in the historic center of Poitiers. Our Made in France umbrellas are made on site in front of our customers, who can witness every stage of the process, from the making of the umbrella to the final ironing, before it goes on sale in our boutique. Labelled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, we represent the excellence of French umbrella manufacturers.

Materials of incomparable quality.

Carbon fiber ribs (like kite structures) to withstand all weathers, even seaside winds. Fabrics in polyester taffeta, 100% cotton or jacquard weave. We rigorously select our materials thanks to our suppliers, with whom we've been working hand-in-hand since 1950 and who know the umbrella inside out. Handles in curved solid woods such as maple or chestnut, beechwood shaft - everything is done to make the umbrella as solid and elegant as possible. Because the quality of an umbrella depends on its sturdiness, wind resistance and ability to be repaired throughout its lifetime.

Combining tradition and modernity.

Each generation has brought its own improvements, while preserving the traditional gestures handed down by our ancestors: Pierre and Louis François, Léa and Émile François, Fernand and Angelina François, Pauline and Sieur François. After the difficult period of the 1980s-1990s, when it was necessary to consume and buy “cheaply”, we've bounced back and modernized with a new website that allows us to ship our umbrellas all over the world, even to the windiest countries ! Our workshops and store which we have brought up to date, and new materials and fabrics for our umbrellas.

But we've kept two traditional umbrellas at home, made in the same way for over a century. The English umbrella is made from a single piece of wood, like a walking stick, in solid chestnut or hazelnut, hot-bent and turned from the same piece of wood. With its high-end brass finish, it's a highly sought-after umbrella in Europe.

The Sheperd's umbrella with its large-diameter, waterproof, UV-resistant cotton canvas and lightning-resistant rattan ribs, is like a parasol, but entirely handmade.

Our ethos is to manufacture small quantities, but above all quality, and to be as close as possible to our customers, with affordable prices so that everyone can afford a beautiful French umbrella. We don't use resellers for our umbrellas.

We sell directly from producer to consumer, with no middleman ! With François, you're assured of a Made in France umbrella.

“Price is forgotten and quality remains”

Michel Audiard