The story of the Rondinaud family is intimately linked with that of the ‘Charentaise’. This product was born of hardship and necessity during the reign of Louis XIV, in Charente The genuine ‘Charentaise’ is the resultant of the paper felts recycling process. Indeed the paper felts were woollen and after being used for the pressing and absorbing the paper paste they became waterproof. We can then make soft comfortable soles out of them.

The slipper’s top part, called ‘upper’ came from the production surplus of the local weavers manufacturing uniforms for the royal navy.
The sole and upper were sown with hemp wire, using a cross-stitch called ‘herringbone stitch’ in this region. The ‘Charentaise’ were used at this time as flexible slippers or socks that could easily slip into a clog.

The contemporary ‘Charentaise’ <> was created in 1907 by the Rondinaud family, which was settled in La Rochefoucauld since centuries, thus carrying on the local tradition of cobblers and shoe-makers. In the early 1950’s, Jean Rondinaud decided to export his product worldwide.

Since this time, innovation and creation of new styles, the search of new materials became permanent objectives. A strong work ethic and an excellent understanding of the market enable us to create, in partnership with our clients and suppliers, a harmonious collection which is ever-responsive to the needs of the market.