French Beret Makers: Then There Was One
The traditional industry struggles against inexpensive imports
This article is for subscribers only.
The beret Basque, which has been as much a symbol of France as baguettes and Gauloises, is an endangered species. On Feb. 10, Laulhère, a 174-year-old beret company, became the country’s sole maker of traditional berets after it bought Blancq-Olibet, its only French competitor, which was almost 200 years old.
Cheaper knockoffs from China, India, and the Czech Republic have made survival hard for local makers of berets. Men’s berets made by Laulhère can cost anywhere from €40 ($55) to €75, and women’s are priced between €20 and €95. Imports can cost as little as €2.