In 1874, Jean-Baptiste Moutet, the youngest son of a farmer’s family, buys “Au Bon Coin”, a fabric shop in Orthez, Béarn (south-west of France) and starts his own business. In 1913, he opens his first weaving workshop, equipped with four manual looms, allowing him to produce his own “coutils”, solid fabrics forssss work clothes.
Georges Moutet takes over from his father Jean-Baptiste in 1919. He industrializes the weaving and diversifies the production, specializing more and more in table cloth. In the early 1930ies, following the development of tourism at the basque coast, what was once called “Toiles du Béarn/Fabric of Bearn” becomes “Linge Basque/Basque linen”.
Jacques Moutet, in the third generation, transforms the enterprise into a radically modern factory, located in the suburbs of Orthez and adds new weaving looms producing in Jacquard technique. During the 1970ies, thanks to Jacques, Moutet becomes one of the major French weavers of home linen.
Relocation and globalization at the end of the 1990ies brings the factory into a deep crisis. But in 1999, Catherine Moutet takes over and becomes the first woman managing the family enterprise. She saves the business by collaborating with international designers who create unique collections of colorful and original table cloth and dish towels for her.
Since 2010, Benjamin, grand-grand-son of the founder, manages the enterprise. He is surrounded by a young and dynamic team, and focusses on “100% made in France”. Furthermore, he develops several innovative projects (“Open enterprise”, “Linen of the Pyrenees”).