Manufacture Le Parapluie de Cherbourg is a traditional company where the umbrella is considered a unique object, a true work of art. Our craftsmen perpetuate traditional know-how and design original creations every day, combining robustness, refinement and elegance. From design to manufacture in our workshops, each of our exceptional umbrellas goes through numerous stages of production. Discover what each one looks like, and delve into the secrets of the Manufacture Le Parapluie de Cherbourg.
Manufacture Le Parapluie de Cherbourg is much more than an umbrella manufacturer. We're passionate about umbrellas, and want our customers to discover just how valuable a daily companion this splendid accessory can be. Before arriving in your hands, here are some of the steps each of our creations goes through.
The first step in umbrella manufacture is, of course, the selection of an exceptional fabric. Our experts select rolls of fabric, particularly taffeta, with excellent properties. These must be beyond reproach, being both water-repellent and incredibly robust, all in elegant colors.
Once the rolls have been received, the first step in making an umbrella is quilting the fabric, i.e. folding it into several layers. The fabric is then cut using a custom-designed die, according to the specifications of each umbrella model: golf, cane, bell, among others.
Our umbrella factory produces models with eight tips. One of these is reserved for the embroidery of our logo, always in tone-on-tone. Here again, absolutely nothing is left to chance. Our policy is to leave no stone unturned, which is why this step is carried out with the utmost meticulousness. In fact, every one of our umbrellas has a perfectly centered logo.
But that's not all: once the logo has been embroidered, our manufacturers make sure that no threads protrude. When they do, the thread is cut by hand to ensure the finest possible finish.
Note: La Manufacture can personalize your umbrella by embroidering your initials. In this way, your umbrella can become a unique and personal object that you'll enjoy using over time.
The strap is an essential part of any umbrella. It's the part that closes it when it's time to put it away. Each strap is cut and sewn in our own umbrella-making workshop.
A second type of strap is also made to the same exacting standards. These are the straps used to make holdall bags, which allow you to carry your umbrella over the shoulder or across the chest.
The canvas-making stage is of particular importance, and it's what guarantees the extraordinary sturdiness of our umbrellas. In fact, each of the eight tips of our umbrellas, as well as the brand's signature, are assembled using a serger. The use of this specific type of machine enables us to produce top-quality finishes and seams.
What's more, this step ensures that the seam is strong and, above all, waterproof. So you can be sure of staying dry, even in the pouring rain.
It's interesting to note that the lanyard is sewn on at this stage, opposite the embroidered logo. Finally, the canvas is finished with a peripheral hem. Finally, needles are sewn to the canvas for the finishing touch. Once again, our craftsmen use a special machine to produce a highly resistant seam for each needle.
At this stage, the previously assembled canvas is sewn to the ribs of the future umbrella. We use a special machine here, enabling us to achieve impeccable finishes. The know-how of our seamstresses is fully expressed in this task. They sew a precise number of stitches on each rib, according to the different umbrella models in our collection.
Each of our umbrellas has a unique finish. One of our key areas of expertise is fittings. These are the metal parts of Cherbourg umbrellas. They include the bucket, the needles, the plate and the emblematic Cherbourg ring.
The aesthetic appeal of our fittings is particularly important to us, which is why we offer them in a range of materials: chrome, gold, ruthenium and palladium.
Finally, our umbrella factory adds the finishing touch with the handle. For this part, we select noble woods such as hornbeam, maple, chestnut, rush and beech. Wood is not an insignificant choice. It offers a pleasant, soft and warm grip, even in cold weather. This is how these elements are assembled on the mas, bringing the assembly of a Cherbourg umbrella to a close. However, there are still a few steps to go before our umbrellas reach your hands.
Before an umbrella can be installed in one of our 90 sales outlets, it has to go through a steaming stage. This "irons" the canvas with steam, giving it a perfect finish. The umbrella then dries overnight.
Finally, the umbrella undergoes a meticulous quality check. Once we feel that everything is perfect, we can proceed to the final step: folding the umbrella.
At the Le Parapluie umbrella factory in Cherbourg, it takes a total of 47 individual steps to produce an exceptional piece. Each stage is perfectly mastered and controlled by passionate manufacturers with a taste for work well done.
It's worth pointing out that when we create a new model to enrich our collection or as part of a collaboration, it can take between one month and two years. That's how long it takes to produce a fully realized umbrella of excellent craftsmanship.
What's more, the know-how of the Cherbourg-based Manufacture is unique. We train our own craftsmen in our workshops. It's worth noting that there is currently no national training program for umbrella makers. We are therefore the guardians of a unique know-how, which we make sure is passed on to the next generation of master umbrella makers.
If you'd like to find out more about our history and discover the umbrella factory on a guided or self-guided tour, come and visit us at our workshops in the heart of Cherbourg.
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