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Ramblings of a retiree in France
French fancies: Garnier-Thiebaut
I don’t know about you but I love crisp, white, high thread count bed linen and fluffy white towels. Hotels’ laundry takes a bit of a hammering so I’m always keen to see which brands they use. It’s often a French brand called Garnier-Thiebaut!
With roots dating back to 1833 in France, Garnier-Thiebaut has become known as the designer and manufacturer of the highest quality table linens, bed linens, and accessories for the finest hotels, restaurants, casinos, clubs, and homes around the world.
Garnier-Thibeaut has pioneered many of the textile industry’s design and technology inventions for the production of fine linens. Today, the company’s manufacturing facility in Gerardmer, France is Europe’s most advanced centre for the design, colour and production of fashion fabrics — notably, table linens, bed linens and other textile accessories — for the hospitality industry and the home. Renowned for its luxurious damask designs, Garnier-Thiebaut is the only fine linens company that produces more than two complete collections each year.
Now part of the HDM Finance group, a family owned business since 1723, operated by its 13th generation. HDM is one of the biggest textile groups in Europe for the hospitality industry comprising a number of companies, though Garnier-Thiebaut is the only company in the group with a retail division.
How it all began
1833: Like many beautiful stories, Garnier-Thiebaut’s journey begins with the wedding celebration of two linen merchants, namely Virginie Thiébaut and Jean-Baptiste Garnier in 1833 who gave birth to Garnier-Thiebaut in Gerardmer, a beautiful French village built around a lake.
The water in the region was ideal to whiten the linen and made it the perfect place for textile companies to flourish. Soon Garnier-Thiebaut was renowned for its strong and bright products and kept developing through constant innovation.
The factory is destroyed by WWII bombing in 1944 and it took five years for the plant to rise from its ashes and the looms to buzz again.
The heirs of Garnier-Thiebaut decide to sell the family company in 1969 which retained its name and soul despite the successive changing of hands.
There was a sea change in the company in 1995 when its then CEO, Paul de Montclos, decided to enter the retail market. As part of his expansionary plans, Garnier-Thiebaut USA was created in New York in 1997. Further acquisitions followed, particularly in the US, whose HQ is now based in Arlington, VA. Subsequent CEOs have continued his vision and the company’s success.
Sustainability
The company has done much to improve its effect on the environment.
1. It uses the heat generated by its looms to heat the offices.
2. Its manufacturing capabilities are based in the heart of the Vosges forest which it is are committed to maintain by minimising consumption and waste.
3. The bees on our dyeing site are proof of the quality of the company’s environment.
4. The factories have their own purification station so that the water discharged into local rivers is always clean.
5. The company’s own water turbine produces much of the electricity it uses.
6. The company is committed to keeping jobs in France and promoting the Vosges region.
7. The company has created a 100% plant based detergent to help its customers and employees take care of our environment too.
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Great to know more about this company Sheree. I have several of the kitchen towels and they have worn like iron, and are still beautiful after many years inn use!
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Lovely to get your feedback
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This company sounds like a dream come true that I wish that other companies could emulate. 😉
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There are lots of companies trying to do the right thing
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The linen is just amazing!
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It is indeed
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I have a fondness for fine thread-count linens, nothing can compare!
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I agree Eliza
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I love high quality linen and table cloths. Very commendable that they are thinking about the environment. I have heard from several countries, that private companies are more advanced in this area than their governments.
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French government is also forward thinking on environment
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💜 Hmmm, I THINK!!! YOU!!! Know what I’ma gonna say next; so I AM NOT!!! gonna say it Control Freak, oops “I said it again” ~ Brittany Spears
…💛💚💙…
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I am glad they are thinking about the environment!
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Many French companies do
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I agree with your choices. I don’t remember the makers but I kitted out my house in Sigoules with the best linen I could find.
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May have been the same brand Derrick
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Could be. It was a good quality shop in Bergerac
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There’s nothing better than a big fluffy comforter and climbing into soft sheets, especially after a long day! I dream of one day having a table that I can make a pretty tablsecape with for the holidays.
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Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get there sooner rather than later Lyssy
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Yes, then I can get my Golden Retriever puppy to go with it 🙂
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Oh, I love golden retrievers, they’re such loving, friendly dogs. Good choice Lyssy.
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I grew up with one and she was the sweetest! Once I have a nice yard I will get one.
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I shall look forward to that
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Hmm, I never heard of this company but it sounds exquisite. Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure Katherine
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I’m going to look into this company! Sounds amazing
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Definitely worth checking out
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