©Ganterie Agnelle à Saint Junien ©philippe Laurençon Ot Porte Océane Du Limousin

Agnelle glove factoryExceptional expertise

Agnelle glove factory

Haute-Vienne, a land of many riches, is exported all over the world thanks to its many areas of expertise: porcelain, enamel, but also leather and hide work. The Agnelle glove factory in Saint-Junien, one of the region’s longest-established companies, is a major player thanks to its exceptional expertise and its many collaborations with top fashion houses.

Leather in Saint-Junien

Thanks to the exceptional qualities of the waters of the Vienne and a large livestock breeding area (cows, lambs, kids), the Haute-Vienne region, and in particular Saint-Junien (30 km west of Limoges), developed a leather and hide industry as early as the XIᵉ century.

Glove-making expertise has endured through the ages, culminating today in the meeting of Saint-Junien craftsmen and French luxury companies such as Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Yves Saint-Laurent, Castelbajac and Hermès. The perpetuation of this activity at such a high level confirms Saint-Junien’s status as the French capital of luxury leather gloves, and has earned it the “Villes et Métiers d’art” label.

©Ganterie Agnelle Saint Junien|visitlimousin

The Agnelle glove factory

The Agnelle glove factory was founded in Saint-Junien in 1937. Created by Joseph Pourrichou for his son Lucien, it was the latter’s wife who took over the reins of the glove factory during the war. Since then, Agnelle has remained a family and women’s business.

The boldness and innovation of the women at the helm over the generations have enabled Agnelle to make its mark with haute couture houses. The first collaboration with Christian Dior took place in the 1970s, followed by a number of prestigious contracts with Yves Saint-Laurent, Lanvin, Lancel, Louis Vuitton… Agnelle is now synonymous with French luxury. In 2008, Agnelle exported its expertise to the United States through collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone and Ralph Lauren.

The talented little hands at the glove factory have put Agnelle, its expertise and the region on the map the world over.

They wear Agnelle gloves

You’ve probably seen, perhaps without knowing it, the Agnelle gloves worn by many celebrities…

Beyoncé

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Rihanna

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Lady Gaga

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Visit the Agnelle workshop

The Porte Océane du Limousin Tourist Office invites you to discover the Agnelle luxury glove workshop in Saint-Junien. Come and find out about the history of glove-making and how a glove is made, from the moment the treated skin is received to the finishing touches. Reservations must be made with the Tourist Office, and guided tours are only available for groups already formed.

You can also take advantage of the opportunity to buy yourself a pretty pair of gloves in the factory shop.

Ganterie Agnelle : Magasin d'usine

A craft in the skin! Founded in 1937, this company is fighting on all fronts to make the glove an essential fashion accessory. Agnelle works discreetly with couturiers and...

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Where to buy Agnelle gloves

Atelier Saint-Junien – Agnelle
30 boulevard de la République – 87200 Saint-Junien

Boutique Madeleine – Agnelle
19, rue Duphot – 75001 Paris

Online at www.agnelle.com

Accessibility

Access to the Saint-Junien workshop is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Leather shopping

After gloves, treat yourself to Daguet bags and belts at the second factory outlet in Saint-Junien.

The leather museum

The “Cité du Cuir” takes you on an immersive journey through the ages and trades to discover, step by step, the manufacturing cycle of the leather glove. Guided tours, temporary exhibitions and introductory workshops for children and adults animate the museum all year round.