Unique in the world, the Beret Museum is located in Nay, on the banks of the Gave River, between Lourdes and Pau, where the beret originated, even though history has since associated it with the Basque Country.
Consecrated by the world of design and haute couture, the beret no longer simply represents a national identity, it is also a highly prized fashion accessory for many women.
Renewal does not mean denying one's past, and the Lauhlère company, taken over by Rosabelle Forzy, has decided to pay a true tribute to one of the department's emblems, steeped in both Béarn and Basque culture.
In 2012, the historic Laulhère beret factory was on its last legs.
After filing for bankruptcy, the Oloron-Sainte-Marie-based company found itself before the Pau Commercial Court.
“I then made a takeover bid with the Cargo group,” explains Rosabelle Forzy, the company's CEO. “It would have been really sad to lose this 180-year-old company with its unique expertise.”
Rosabelle Forzy then relaunched production and reverted to the founder's name, Laulhère, replacing the name used until then: Béatex.
In 2014, she bought out her competitor Blancq-Olibet, also located in the Béarn region, and merged the two companies in Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
The collections followed one after another, and in December the brand opened a boutique on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré (Paris VIII).
Today, Laulhère is the last historic beret manufacturer in France, custodian of a unique and exceptional ancestral heritage. With the acquisition of its counterpart Blancq-Olibet, the company brings together all the remaining beret heritage, has set itself the task of preserving this priceless cultural heritage within French heritage, and is now working to revive the beret, both in France and abroad.
Beret Museum
Place Saint-Roch
64800 Nay
Tel.: +33 (0)5 59 61 91 70
museeduberet@wanadoo.fr
Translated with DeepL.com
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