Le Tanneur
Qatar Luxury Group (majority) and Tolomei group · France
Le Tanneur is a French leather goods company with roots in Belley, in the Ain department, dating to 1898. It makes handbags, wallets and luggage and has been controlled by Qatar Luxury Group and, according to French Wikipedia, the Tolomei group.
| Founded | 1898 (current company 1989) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belley, Ain, France |
| Ownership | Controlled by Tolomei group; Qatar Luxury Group a major shareholder |
| Products | Handbags, wallets and luggage |
| Signature | Tann's satchel (1978) |
| Website | le-tanneur.com |
What is Le Tanneur?
Le Tanneur is a French leather goods maker whose origins in Belley, Ain, go back to 1898 and to a leather goods maker and a tanner. French Wikipedia notes that the current company dates from 1989. It produces handbags, wallets and luggage and has also subcontracted leather goods for other fashion brands.
History
The house won awards at the 1900 Exposition universelle for a seamless leather purse and became a military supplier in 1914. By 1974 it had over 1,000 employees and was France's leading tannery. It launched the Tann's satchel in 1978, closed its Bourg-en-Bresse factory in 1993, and later went through insolvency, with a takeover that kept 262 jobs. Brands it has kept include Le Tanneur and Soco, and Tann's was sold in 2014.
Ownership
French Wikipedia says Qatar Luxury Group acquired 85.73 per cent through a tender offer in 2011 and that a recapitalisation in 2017 involved Tolomei Participations, and describes the company as controlled by the Tolomei group. The page does not reconcile these figures, so ownership is described cautiously.
Business model and distribution
The sources mention workshops in Corrèze and Ain, a factory outlet in Bourg-en-Bresse that closed in 2019 and the sale of the Upla distribution business in 2005. No store count or revenue figure is given, and no verified leadership information for 2026 is available.
Why it matters
Le Tanneur is one of the French leather goods names that has kept domestic workshops through several ownership changes. It is relevant for readers following the industrial side of French accessories and the fate of heritage manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Le Tanneur?
According to French Wikipedia, Qatar Luxury Group acquired most of the company in 2011 and the Tolomei group is described as controlling it. The page does not reconcile the exact shareholdings.
Where is Le Tanneur from?
Le Tanneur is from France. Its roots are in Belley, in the Ain department, where it was founded in 1898.