Cimalp

Cimalp is a French outdoor clothing brand founded in 1964 by mountaineer Paul Sailler. Based in the Drôme, it makes technical clothing and equipment for outdoor and mountain sports.

What is Cimalp?

Cimalp is a French brand of sportswear and outdoor equipment based in Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence in the Drôme. It was founded in 1964 by Paul Sailler, a mountaineer from the Isère region.

History

Cimalp's early products included stretch alpine trousers made with textiles from Nemours, and in the 1970s the brand became known for its stretch corduroy knickers. Since 1991 it has belonged to Manufacture Drômoise de Confection, then led by Raymond Marsanne; his son Lionel Marsanne took over the company in 2008. In 2023 Cimalp announced a new site in Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence combining offices, a retail store and a logistics centre, and the brand marked 60 years in outdoor clothing in 2024.

Products and positioning

The brand designs sportswear and outdoor equipment for mountain activities, building on its heritage in stretch mountain trousers. It also promotes Nordic walking, including in the UK market. In 2025 it became the official supplier of the Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade.

Distribution

Cimalp sells mainly through its own website, which serves France, the United Kingdom, Ireland and other European markets, as well as its own store.

Why it matters

Cimalp is one of the long-standing independent French outdoor brands, combining six decades of mountain heritage with family ownership and a direct-to-consumer model.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cimalp from?

Cimalp is a French outdoor clothing brand based in Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence in the Drôme.

Who founded Cimalp?

Cimalp was founded in 1964 by Paul Sailler, a mountaineer from the Isère region.

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