Bollé
Bollé Brands · France
Bollé is a French eyewear and sports equipment brand founded in 1888 by Séraphin Bollé in Oyonnax. It makes sunglasses, ski goggles and helmets and is part of Bollé Brands.
| Founded | 1888, Oyonnax, France |
|---|---|
| Founder | Séraphin Bollé |
| Group | Bollé Brands |
| Owner | A&M Capital Europe (since 2018) |
| Website | bolle.com |
What is Bollé?
Bollé is a French sports eyewear brand founded in 1888 by Séraphin Bollé in Oyonnax, in eastern France. It is the flagship of Bollé Brands, a group that also includes Bollé Safety, Cébé, H2Optix, Spy Optic and Serengeti.
History
The company diversified into protective equipment in 1950, adding safety goggles and masks, and began marketing ski goggles in 1960, the category with which the name is most closely associated today. The group was owned by Vista Outdoor before A&M Capital Europe, a London-based private equity firm, acquired Bollé Brands in 2018.
Products and positioning
Bollé's range centres on performance products for outdoor sports:
- Sunglasses for sport and lifestyle
- Ski and snowboard goggles
- Ski and bicycle helmets
- Safety eyewear, sold through the Bollé Safety business
The brand positions itself on technical lens and protection features rather than fashion seasons, with products used in skiing, cycling and other outdoor activities.
Why it matters
Bollé is one of the oldest names in sports eyewear and an example of a European heritage brand consolidated into a multi-brand eyewear group under private equity ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bollé from?
Bollé is a French brand founded in 1888 by Séraphin Bollé in Oyonnax, France.
What does Bollé make?
Bollé makes sunglasses, ski goggles, ski and bicycle helmets, and safety eyewear.