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

The Agnelle glove factoryExceptional expertise

Agnelle glove factory

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

Leather in Saint-Junien

Thanks to the exceptional qualities of the waters of the Vienne and a large breeding basin (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 know-how 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.

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 during the war. Since then, Agnelle has remained a family and women’s business.

The audacity and innovation of the women at the helm over the generations have enabled Agnelle to make a name for itself with the haute couture houses. The first collaboration with Christian Dior took place in the 70s, followed by numerous prestigious contracts with Yves Saint-Laurent, Lanvin, Lancel, Louis Vuitton… Agnelle is now synonymous with French luxury. In 2008, Agnelle exported its know-how to the United States through collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone and Ralph Lauren.

The glove factory’s talented little hands are making Agnelle, its know-how and the region famous the world over.

They wear Agnelle gloves

You’ve probably seen, perhaps unknowingly, 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 discover the history of glove-making and how a glove is made, from the reception of the treated skin to the finishing touches. Reservations are required at the Tourist Office.

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