A world-renowned sock factory in the middle of mining country? We found it hard to believe, so we went to see.

The Perrin factory is an institution in Montceau-les-Mines. Having arrived in the town the day before, we noticed this from the people we met in Montceau. "Ah, you're going to Perrin?", "Of course I know, who doesn't?" I didn't know, but I'm not going to say it too loudly. However, Perrin socks have been talked about recently. Awarding the " living heritage label " which rewards old-fashioned know-how, appearance in a Capital on M6 dedicated to made in France. A little buzz with a shipment of socks to Emmanuel Macron , who gave a nice response for the Montceau factory.

"We even make reversible underwear..." Well, you have to wash the other side before using it, eh!

The factory is located in the city center. A large brick building. It is Constance who welcomes us and shows us around. Because the factory can of course be visited. Like a museum, but incredibly lively. There are about 2,500 visitors per year. Constance started in one of the company's boutiques. "We have 8 in France, I was in the one in Nantes, but all the production is done here."

The Perrin factory was born in 1924, no less. It was created by Francis Perrin (nothing to do with the actor, too bad) and has never stopped since. It is a family business. Currently, it is the 4th generation of Perrins who are at the helm.

Several brands are manufactured here: Perrin, Dagobert à l'envers, la chaussette Française and Berthe aux grands pieds, each of which has its own little reputation . They also produce for others, such as Le Slip Français (which remains in my opinion one of the best brand names of recent years), Dior , or Jacadi . "Our know-how is sought after" . Socks, tights, gloves, hats, briefs, boxer shorts, sweaters, scarves... "We even make reversible boxer shorts ". Incredible, reversible. Well, you have to wash it before using it, the other side, eh!

Award of the “living heritage label”, which rewards traditional know-how

After the explanations on the rich history and the different brands, we dive into the lair of the Perrin factory. Here, no big chains, no infernal pace. We feel the attentive workers. There are only 80 of them, which can create a healthier atmosphere than in mega-structures. The reserves, the sock corner, the tights, the darning corner (by hand, the old-fashioned way), the inspection (the final check), the ironing, the forming (yes, you have to give it the angle of your ankle to this sock), the design office located in the middle of the factory and where the engineers seem rather relaxed'...

We learn everything about manufacturing. The little secrets and ancestral know-how that are passed down from generation to generation. Did you know that tights are actually just two big socks that you put together?

The socks come out of the open machines, like a tube, in a cylinder, and are finished meticulously. The hosiery workers are busy. A hosier is the one who feeds the machine with thread. The machines can produce different socks depending on their number of needles. Small, large, with or without elastic, with loops…

Among the 80 weaving machines, we notice old cuckoo clocks from another age. The factory is the last in France to use old English machines from the 50s. Bentley Komets , which offer a particular mesh. Gérard is in charge of them. In the house for 30 years, he is a bit of a magician of old machines. "The parts no longer exist. We have to make do with the parts we have on site. But they still work, it's beautiful". And it's true that these machines have a certain style.

After a visit to the loading dock ("we export to Europe, Germany, Belgium... A little to Japan too, but most of it is sold in France " ) , we say to ourselves that Perrin has succeeded, at a time when French textile production has collapsed for 30 years, in retaining its splendor thanks to its know-how.

We end up at the store. There's color, some crazy products, and you can leave with socks (and everything else) at a reduced price. The Perrin factory is a classy corner of Burgundy to know and try.

Text: Antoine Gauthier
Photos: Cedric De Montceau