La Botte Gardiane, a French family business with exceptional know-how since 1958

La Botte Gardiane

On March 28, 2019 National Geographic devoted an article to Camargue, this French region renowned for its wildlife and its infinite stretches of water forming marshes with a thousand and one colors. We discover the region of horses and gardians, these protectors of free bulls and horses manades with cowboy looks. In this harsh climate and uncultivated land, the gardian must be properly dressed. Unlike their American counterparts, a charter on the dress code of the gardians was drawn up on April 20, 2008 by the Nacioun Gardiano, an association founded in 1904 with the aim of "maintaining and glorifying the costume, customs and traditions of the country of Arles, the Camargue and the bullfighting countries" . One learns the "diversity of the colors is to be sought (...) the shirts with long sleeves and of the bright colors recommended" and that the "collar of shirt (is) closed". As for shoes, they must be "high boots (with or without laces) or leather boots (any other shoe is forbidden including santiags and pointed American or Mexican boots). No questions asked ! 

It is in this vein that the Camarguan brand La Botte Gardiane manufactures since 1958, the authentic boot of the gardians. We wish to highlight a pair that is close to our hearts, a "gardian boot" that is a little different and classic at the same time. 

Let’s have a closer look. 

Phot. Naudot, Carle, coll. Musée de la Camargue, PNR de Camargue. Num. David Huguenin (8301795). © Musée de la Camargue, PNR de Camargue.

La Botte Gardiane, a phoenix rises from its ashes 

1958 marks the creation of the company in the Gard hinterland which specializes in the manufacture of shoes and leather goods. The company flourished and developed considerably for more than two decades but went bankrupt in 1995, when the current owner, Michel Agulhon, took over and revitalized it. 

Under the impetus of the buyer's children - Antoine, Julien and Fanny - the company exports to the United States and even to Japan, one of the most promising markets. In 2007, and again in 2019, La Botte Gardiane was awarded the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, a government recognition mark for companies with excellent industrial and artisanal know- how. A real guarantee of quality. The company is even one of the first to obtain this distinction in Occitania. This label is awarded for five years and can be renewed, provided that the company continues to implement its industrial and artisanal know-how of excellence. 

For its 60th anniversary, in 2018, the company acquired a new workshop according to the "RT2012" standard aimed at limiting energy consumption. An avant-garde and necessary decision when we know the urgency on this subject. 

La Botte Gardiane exports about 25% of its production internationally, the Japanese public being particularly fond of this French know-how and the aesthetics of these very special boots. The company makes 12,000 pairs each year, each requiring a minimum of 60 operations per pair. Over the years, the company has expanded its offer and diversified its models. It is even possible to personalize an order and to make a pair made to measure! 

At La Botte Gardiane, you can choose your leather. Here is a non-exhaustive selection of suede calf, hydrocalf, suportlo, sheep leather and vegetable tanned leather. 

In the continuity of a fairer and more ethical manufacturing, La Botte Gardiane reuses its leather scraps to make the straps of the shoe boxes in which their creations are offered. Another important point, the Camargue house offers a care and repair service to give a second life to its shoes. A well-made pair of shoes that lasts - almost - a lifetime, that's La Botte Gardiane's goal. 

The "Boots" model: the other gardian boot 

For this article, we wanted to highlight a pair of classic and easy-to-wear black leather ankle boots. If we are particularly fond of the emblematic model of the house - which enjoys an international reputation - we wanted to show that the Camarguan company could also produce more classic shoes. 

As you can imagine, La Botte Gardiane did not invent this particular model, so much so that it is widely proposed in boot-making world. On the other hand, the company can boast of producing it by hand in their workshop in the South of France, without the intervention of any subcontractor. 

A guarantee of quality, the full grain leather used is supple and water resistant from the French tannery Degermann, located in Alsace. The tannery is probably familiar to you because it is also where Paraboot gets its supplies, we visited the factory last May. 

Why choose this particular boot model at La Botte Gardiane rather than elsewhere? There are several reasons. 

First of all, from an aesthetic point of view. You probably know our love for round-toed shoes - read our reviews of Tricker's, Crown Northampton or Solovair if you aren’t - so when faced with this model from La Botte Gardiane, how could we remain insensitive? The arch of the boot's platform is soft and not too pronounced, which makes it look solid and sleek at the same time. We love the elastic on the sides as well as the hidden tab at the back of the pair to pull on for an easier slip-on. La Botte Gardiane is proud of its craftsmanship and heritage, and rightly so, the brand's emblem is discreetly affixed to the heel of the boot, in tone on tone. We are in favor of a more streamlined design on shoes in general, but we must concede that the brand emblem has some cachet. 

Secondly, they are made of a full grain calf leather called Suportlo - literally "waterproof" - and are your best friends in wet weather. The thickness of the leather used at La Botte Gardiane is often thicker than the average of other bootmakers - between 2.4 and 2.6 mm - resulting in a strong resistance to the test of time that puts its natural patina on the pair. The extremely light, notched rubber sole gives this model an all-terrain look, but it does not make the shoe look massive. As for the assembly, it is welded. Although more fragile, the latter offers much more lightness and flexibility, moreover, the comfort is immediate! 

Eventually, the comfort precisely. The Camarguan house has succeeded in making these boots comfortable from the first wear! We've been wearing them for several months now, and we haven't had any blisters or foot pain to report. Let us specify that we opted for our usual size. Although an online store is available, it is always preferable to try on the desired model directly in store. If you don't have a La Botte Gardiane store in your city, there is a good chance that it is distributed in one of the many partner stores around the world. 

How to wear these Camargue boots? 

The great thing about boots is that they can be worn with everything. We love white five pocket trousers, here we're wearing our friend Arthur's jeans from SuperStitch. A western sawtooth shirt in demin from Via Piana and a white Uniqlo U tee. In all simplicity. 

The ultimate boot 

When we opened the door of the Parisian boutique on Rue du Bourg-Tibourg - the second one is on Rue de Charonne - we immediately understood what we were getting into. Fanny Agulhon, Michel's daughter, welcomed us in this warm hearted boutique where shoes are king. The models are tastefully displayed on shelves, the furniture is sober, the store breathes comfort and familiarity without tipping over into the intimate. 

We like brands that offer well-made products, especially made in France. For 320€, you can have these boots on your feet. Camarguan boots that are easy to wear rain or shine. They are terrain-proof, after all, these boots are made for walking.