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Ramblings of a retiree in France
French Fancies: Andrée Jardin
When you think of France, what comes to mind? Likely food and most definitely style. The effortlessness, the beauty, French design turns the most humdrum of tasks into something out of a Renoir painting. Sunday afternoon chores? There’s a French broom for that. Preparing dinner for your family after a 10-hour work day? There’s a French pepper mill for that. Trying to swat mosquitoes away from a picnic cheese spread? There’s a French pocket knife for that. Yes, for the next few weeks, I’m going to be writing about some iconic French household brands. First up, Andrée Jardin.
For over 60 years, Andrée Jardin has been making beautiful wood brushes in Brittany, France. Andrée Jardin and her husband, George-René Julio, drew on their old-school know-how when they opened up their factory in 1947, and they’ve since maintained their sense of traditional beauty while incorporating modern, whimsical design touches. Their brooms, brushes, and dusters are some of the only high-quality options made in a traditional way.
It’s a family-owned company passed down from father (George-René Julio – a trained brush-maker who apprenticed in Nantes) to son to grandson. With the advent of plastics the demand for high-quality brushes went by the wayside, but the company has since revived their classic designs. They are pieces of true craftsmanship, from the beechwood handles to the natural bristles, and make housework less of a chore!
How it all began
A century ago, on the banks of the Erdre, not far from the slaughterhouses of Talensac, George-René Julio, the future husband of Andrée Jardin, began his apprenticeship as a brush maker in Nantes.
When the Brasserie Pechon where he worked closed, Georges-René Julio set up his own business with his wife Andrée Jardin at 167 rue des Hauts Pavés in Nantes. He bought horsehair from the nearby slaughterhouses, and prepared it for use in the manufacture of all kinds of brushes, as well as mattress. From the start the choice of natural raw materials was an essential element of production..
SARL JULIO et Fils employed four of the couple’s children: Hélène, Henry, René, and André. The company starts to concentrate on making brushes for industrial use, such as in flour mills, ship yards and laundries.
André took over the family business in 1984 and the company continued to specialise in tailor-made technical brushes for the local industry (agriculture, aeronautics and agri-food), offering products of incomparable quality.
In 2008, while thinking about the company’s direction, Jean-Baptiste and François-Marie proudly assumed the reins of the family business. They begin by resuscitating the company’s know-how of yesteryear in collaboration with well-known designers to create decorative brushes.
In 2020, the brothers created the Andrée Jardin brand – named for their beloved grandmother – a range of high-end brushes for consumers.
Today
Today, Andrée Jardin’s desire is to create as many home accessories as possible that respect the environment, are beautiful and functional and reflect a French way of life.
Buying Andrée Jardin products means saying no to all-plastic mass production and waste while saying yes to natural, hand-crafted, timeless, well-thought-out and well-made objects. Not a bad philosophy!
(All images courtesy of Andrée Jardin)
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Great story and a lovely product. How did the company due during WWII?
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It only started in 1947
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Duh. Thanks. I don’t know why I thought it started in the 1920s. Just re-read the start and almost made the same mistake. Think I misinterpreted this line. A century ago, on the banks of the Erdre, not far from the slaughterhouses of Talensac, George-René Julio, the future husband of Andrée Jardin, began his apprenticeship as a brush maker in Nantes.
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Easy mistake to make, sorry.
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This is a very interesting history. I enjoyed how the company faced change and challenge.
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Thanks Robbie
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I think the demand for wooden brushes should only increase in the future as we all turn our back on plastic.
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Exactly and they’re so much more attractive and tactile
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What a wonderful introduction to this brand; thank you for sharing their history! Alisa
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Pleasure Alisa
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Getting rid of plastic is always a great idea! Very interesting post Sheree!
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France is getting rid of it all over.
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So very good to see
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Just the sort of products I love
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Me too
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I love this story, and the evolution full circle at the product. I will check out the products.
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Thanks Dorothy
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it feels the brush version of the Opinel knives story. I love my Opinels. Those brushes are the kind of products I love too. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
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My pleasure Mich
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