Visiting the real umbrellas of Cherbourg

In the spotlight of the popular movie Les Parapluies de Cherbourg featuring the famous French actress Catherine Deneuve, a young entrepreneur, aged 22 at the time, embraced the trend. In 1986, Jean-Pierre Yvon founded a factory in the centre of Cherbourg to produce a key item of any wardrobe – a trusty umbrella. Le Parapluie de Cherbourg brand now thrives under the management of his son, Charles Yvon.  

quality guaranteed

 ‘My father’s ambition was basically to create a harmonious range of umbrellas with the right model to suit each and everyone,’ explains Charles Yvon, CEO of Le Parapluie de Cherbourg. ‘We produce resilient and robust umbrellas, that guarantee to keep you dry and stylish, anti-blast models which can withstand wind speeds up to 155km/h and entirely made in Cherbourg, right in the heart of the town.’

Making a parapluie de Cherbourg involves a hand-assembly process consisting of no less that 37 steps. As such, its excellence and know-know have been recognised and awarded the distinctive Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant quality label by the French government. These umbrellas were also recently granted the ‘100% Made in France’ accreditation granted to products featured in the prestigious official shop at the Élysée Palace, the residence of the President of the French Republic. Profits from the sales of these products contribute to financing the palace’s restoration.  

Exported worldwide

‘Alongside other local brands, we have been selected to represent the finest French manufacturing companies hailing from the Normandy region. This in turn instils a powerful sense of pride and confidence when it comes to exporting our products worldwide,’ says Charles Yvon.  

Every year, the factory manufactures more than 10,000 umbrellas, 15% of which are exported. After our global success in France, Le Parapluie de Cherbourg is looking to expand its products in key international markets such as Japan. 

High-profile clients 

Known for their strength, quality and durability, umbrellas made by Le Parapluie de Cherbourg are also known to attract great sentimental value over time, with umbrellas now being passed down in the family from generation to generation.

Le Parapluie de Cherbourg is constantly innovating and has just filed three patents for the invention of the Parapactum, a completely new approach to umbrella manufacturing, namely a security umbrella, which are already being used by presidents, heads of states and celebrities.