Le Formier

Rooted in the French art of living, Le Formier embodies an authentic elegance where style, comfort and high standards come together. The brand designs timeless shoes created to accompany everyday life with character and balance. Made in France at the Cléon manufacture in Anjou, each model reflects careful attention to materials, design and durability. Blending heritage with modernity, every pair expresses a contemporary vision of French style.

The collection The brand Our commitments

The Le Formier brand

Le Formier is a French men’s footwear brand that combines elegance and comfort, crafted with expertise in France. We carefully select high-quality materials and design timeless models—from derbies and boots to sneakers—created to bring refined style to everyday wear.

A story of transmission

A legacy forged in resilience

It was during his captivity in a Stalag in Germany during the Second World War that René Cléon, a shoemaker by trade, crafted his very first leather shoe lasts by hand. Five years spent far from his homeland, dreaming of freedom and nurturing a simple yet powerful idea: to create a workshop dedicated to French-made shoes once he returned to Anjou. The story truly began in 1945, in the family home in La Romagne, located in the historic cradle of French shoemaking. Equipped with his first stitching and assembly machines and supported by a small team of apprentices, René Cléon laid the foundations of a craft that continues to thrive today. Over the decades, the workshop gradually grew into a true manufacturing house. In the 1970s, his sons Jacques and Louis-Marie took over, carrying forward the same passion for well-made shoes. They continued to develop the company while remaining faithful to its founding values: local production and the creation of quality men’s footwear designed to last.

Return of René Cléon
after 5 years in captivity

Creation of the shoe workshop in La Romagne, in Anjou.

The workshop was taken over by Jacques and Louis-Marie Cléon, his sons.

The company grew and became a family-owned factory.

Birth of the brand
THE FORMIER.

A project rooted in Cléon's artisanal heritage, with the aim of offering shoes Elegant and responsible men's clothing made in France.

Launch of the first LE FORMIER models.

The brand finds its place among lovers of casual chic style and French know-how.

Launch of our first women's capsule collection, inspired by the iconic BROCARD model.

A new step to further advance our vision of sustainable, accessible and unisex elegance.

1945

René Cléon returns after 5 years of captivity

Creation of the shoe workshop in La Romagne, in Anjou.

1973

The workshop was taken over by Jacques and Louis-Marie Cléon, his sons.

The company grew and became a family-owned factory.

2001

Birth of the LE FORMIER brand.

A project rooted in Cléon's artisanal heritage, with the aim of offering men's shoes Made in France, elegant and responsible.

2022

Launch of the first LE FORMIER models.

The brand finds its place among lovers of casual chic style and French know-how.

2025

Launch of our first women's capsule collection, inspired by the iconic BROCARD model.

A new step to further advance our vision of sustainable, accessible and unisex elegance.

Cléon & Co - marque chaussures françaises Le Formier

"LE FORMIER was designed for the men and women who are shaping the world of tomorrow."

At Le Formier, we have made a strong choice: to design and produce our men’s and women’s shoes in France, in our family manufacture located in Anjou, a historic cradle of French shoemaking. At a time when production is often outsourced and driven by ever-lower prices, this choice may seem bold. For us, however, it reflects a true conviction: bringing together elegance, French expertise and fair pricing.

"LE FORMIER was designed for the men and women who are shaping the world of tomorrow."

At Le Formier, we have made a clear commitment: to design and manufacture our men’s and women’s shoes in France, in our family-run factory located in Anjou, a historic heartland of French shoemaking. In a time when production is often outsourced in pursuit of ever-lower costs, this choice may seem bold. For us, however, it reflects a true conviction: bringing together elegance, French craftsmanship and fair pricing.

Commitments The Formier

The values that guide us

InnoSHOE Guarantee

All our shoes are certified InnoSHOE, ensuring they are free from harmful substances. This certification reflects our commitment to creating footwear that is safe, durable and respectful of both people and the environment.

Responsible

We carefully select our raw materials, prioritizing short supply chains in order to reduce our carbon footprint. Each model is designed with high standards in mind to meet the expectations of more responsible men’s fashion.

Distinctive

Our men’s shoes are designed to combine style, comfort and character. With refined details, bold combinations and a unique visual signature, they embody a timeless vision of French elegance.

Cléon & Co - fabrication française chaussures Le Formier

The name, the form, the soul

LE FORMIER: a tribute to a founding craft of French shoemaking.

Behind every shoe made in France lies a last. And behind every last stands a rare and valuable craft: that of the formier, the artisan who sculpts wooden shoe lasts. This craftsperson is one of the historical pillars of shoemaking. Without the last, there is no shoe. Without the gesture, there is no transmission. By choosing the name LE FORMIER, we wanted to root our brand in the French tradition of craftsmanship—one shaped by wood, leather and time. It is a tribute to those who carve, refine and perfect the forms that create the foundation of comfort and style. LE FORMIER represents men’s shoes made in France, thoughtfully crafted from a heritage of know-how that continues to evolve.