Hermès has unveiled its newest chapter in the story of French craftsmanship with the opening of its twenty-fourth leather workshop in L’Isle-d’Espagnac, a tranquil hamlet in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Designed to celebrate the value of time, precision, and human touch, the new site embodies the brand’s unwavering dedication to traditional savoir-faire — while embracing contemporary sustainability and innovation in workshop architecture.
A leather workshop rooted in time and place
Spanning 5,800 square meters, the new leather workshop brings together 260 artisans devoted to handcrafting Hermès’ legendary creations — including Kelly and Birkin bags — entirely in France. The space represents more than a production facility; it is a living ecosystem of skill and creativity.
Each artisan, trained through the École Hermès des savoir-faire, continues the brand’s tradition of mentorship, where techniques are transmitted from one generation to the next. As Hermès describes it, craftsmanship here is a humanist culture grounded in proximity, precision, and patience — a quiet act of resistance in a world obsessed with speed.
Workshop architecture: modernity meets heritage
The building itself, designed by Bordeaux-based architecture firm Guiraud-Manenc, merges cutting-edge design with environmental responsibility. Set on the former Bel-Air airfield, the workshop architecture combines modernity with a profound respect for nature and locality.
Constructed using low-carbon materials — including Charente stone, raw earth, straw insulation, poplar, and red cedar — the structure reflects its regional landscape. With its east-west orientation and vast glass façades, natural light floods the artisans’ workspaces throughout the day. The planted roof, equipped with 1,800 square meters of solar panels, works alongside a geothermal system to make the building energy positive and fully aligned with Hermès’ Harmonie sustainability framework.
Sustainability and the spirit of French craftsmanship
Beyond design, the new leather workshop reaffirms Hermès’ belief that sustainable growth begins locally. By producing exclusively in France, the maison not only ensures the preservation of French craftsmanship but also supports regional employment — creating 300 new jobs in Charente and strengthening its network of workshops across the South-West.
The surrounding landscape, rich in native flora and fauna, has been carefully preserved. Green transport routes and shared parking facilities encourage sustainable commuting, aligning daily operations with the same thoughtful balance that defines the brand’s approach to luxury.
Photography by YANN STOFER / WALLPAPER
