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

The Agnelle glove factoryExceptional expertise

The 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 major breeding basin (cows, lambs, kids) the Haute-Vienne and in particular Saint-Junien (30 km west of Limoges) developed a skins and leather industry as early as the XIᵉ century.

Glove-making expertise has spanned 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 reinforces 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 story.

The boldness and innovation of its managers over the generations has enabled Agnelle to make its mark with the haute couture houses. In the 1970s the first collaboration with Christian Dior was born, followed by numerous prestigious contracts with Yves Saint-Laurent, Lanvin, Lancel, Louis Vuitton… Agnelle now resonates with luxury à la française. In 2008, Agnelle exported its know-how to the United States through collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone, Ralph Lauren.

The talented little hands at the glove factory are making Agnelle, its know-how, but also the region shine throughout the world.

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 right through to the finishing touches. Reservations are required at the Tourist Office, and guided tours are only available for groups that have already formed.

You can also take the opportunity to treat yourself to a lovely pair of gloves in the factory shop.