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1874

Moutet’s textile journey began in 1874.

Jean-Baptiste Moutet purchased LE BOIN COIN and established the AU COIN DE LA RUE draper’s shop in Orthez.

The shop sold different fabrics and offcuts.

1913

After acquiring four hand looms, Jean-Baptiste Moutet began manufacturing.

Consequently, ticking trousers and cattle blankets were entirely manufactured in Orthez and sold on-site.

1919

The official birth of Béarn household linen inspired by cattle blankets, a strong white cloth which protected animals from the sun and insects.

The seven stripes on these blankets symbolised the seven Basque provinces, hence the name BASQUE LINEN.

1937

In view of this success, a new workshop was opened. Cattle blankets became table linen and new woven cloths appeared with red, blue, green and yellow stripes.

In 1941, Georges Moutet died. His 17-year-old son, Jacques, decided to take over the business, with the support of his mother.

1950

Thanks to a progress in skills and technology, the cloths became lighter, the threads became finer and the colours were no longer limited to stripes.

Patterns were designed in-house and converted onto punch cards; these were our first jacquards.

The company grew and became the no. 1 manufacturer of Basque linen in France.

1973

A new factory measuring 10,000 m² opened. With 100 weaving looms and 250 employees, it produced day and night.

With the arrival of Georges Moutet, Jacques’ eldest son, who was a HEC business school graduate and textile engineer, production looked resolutely towards modernity.

1980-90

Faced with international competition, Georges Moutet decided to position the company in a more high-end and export market.

Sadly, globalisation didn’t spare any companies and bled the textile industry dry. In 1998 the Tissage Georges Moutet company went into liquidation.

1999

On 1st of January 1999, TISSAGE MOUTET, a new organisation under the initiative of Catherine Moutet, decided to rise to the challenge.

Her aim: to keep an exceptional know-how in Orthez by relying 100% on the local area. Major designers, noteworthy cultural sites, starred chefs… many were touched by this approach and chose to join her.

It was the start of a new era.

2019

Now 100 years old, the company is managed by Benjamin Moutet, 5th generation.

Around him, the average age is about thirty years, and the transfer of know-how between generations continues.