Behind the Scenes at Atelier Desbois

In the heart of Paris’s 17th arrondissement, Atelier Desbois passionately preserves the art of traditional shoemaking. We had the privilege of stepping inside this iconic workshop to follow its artisans in their daily work. From the outside, the vintage storefront already sets the tone. Once through the door, however, the workshop reveals a much larger world than one might expect. Spread across several workspaces, it houses an impressive array of machines, each dedicated to a specific stage in the repair and restoration of shoes and leather goods.

In the boutique, shelves filled with shoes and accessories patiently await their owners. At the center of these displays, Saphir products hold pride of place. Several workbenches allow visitors to observe certain repairs, while in the back workshop, sanding, finishing, and maintenance machines set the rhythm of daily work. Throughout our visit, we witnessed several restorations showcasing the full extent of Atelier Desbois’ expertise. In particular, we followed the replacement of protective sole pads, the final step of which involves recoloring the shoe’s edge using Saphir’s Teinture Française to restore a uniform finish. We also observed the restoration of a suede leather marked by time, as well as the repair of a leather bag, including the complete reconstruction of its handle. These examples illustrate the diversity of repairs carried out each day by the artisans and their mastery of various restoration techniques.

In a second workshop, other specialized equipment is dedicated to stitching and resoling. We had the opportunity to observe the creation of a Goodyear welt. Before assembly, the new leather sole is carefully moistened to soften it and facilitate stitching. This operation is carried out using an old machine that is still in use today—a true witness to the history of shoemaking. At the back of this workshop, a large stock of leather soles, protective pads, and heels is neatly arranged on large shelves, ready to meet a wide range of repair needs. The walls, meanwhile, are decorated with worn-out soles, hung like true trophies—silent witnesses to the many soles that have been replaced.

Atelier Desbois uses Saphir products at every stage of the restoration process to give shoes a second life. We share with them the same ambition: to sustainably extend the life of footwear through regular care, high-quality repairs, and products suited to each type of leather.

We warmly thank Bruno Desbois for opening the doors of his workshop to us and for sharing his daily life, as well as the passion and high standards that define his craft.