Petit Bateau
Regent L.P. · France
Petit Bateau is a French childrenswear and underwear brand from Troyes, whose origins go back to a hosiery factory opened in 1893. After 37 years in the Rocher Group, it was sold in September 2025 to Regent, a US private equity firm. Best known for cotton babywear, bodysuits and striped tops, it also sells collections for adults.
| Founded | 1893 (trademark 1920), Troyes |
|---|---|
| Founder | Pierre Valton |
| Owner | Regent L.P. (since 2025) |
| Previous owner | Groupe Rocher (1988 to 2025) |
| Headquarters | Troyes, France |
| Segment | Childrenswear and underwear |
| Website | petit-bateau.com |
What is Petit Bateau?
Petit Bateau is a French brand of clothing and underwear, originally for babies and children and since the 2000s also for women and men. It is known for soft cotton basics such as bodysuits, pyjamas, underwear and Breton style striped tops. The company is headquartered in Troyes, in the historic French knitwear region of Champagne.
History
The brand's roots lie in the Valton hosiery factory opened in Troyes in 1893 by Pierre Valton. His son Étienne Valton is credited with creating short cotton underpants for children, and the Petit Bateau trademark was registered in 1920. The brand became part of the French beauty and fashion group Groupe Rocher, owner of Yves Rocher, in 1988.
In January 2025 Rocher announced it would sell its children's fashion activities. In September 2025 FashionUnited reported that Petit Bateau had been sold to Regent L.P., a Beverly Hills based private equity firm that specialises in reviving heritage brands and has owned DIM, Bally and La Senza. Wikipedia gives revenue of 240 million euros for 2024.
Products and positioning
Petit Bateau sits in the premium part of mass childrenswear, combining everyday basics with a strong heritage image. Its range includes:
- Babywear, bodysuits and sleepsuits
- Children's underwear and pyjamas
- Striped tops, raincoats and everyday clothing
- Women's and men's basics
Business model and distribution
According to Wikipedia, the brand operates close to 400 own shops and about 4,300 partner points of sale, with an e-commerce site launched in 2006. It is present in Europe, Japan, China, the Middle East and the United States. In 2022 it launched a childrenswear rental service in France, an early test of circular models in kidswear.
Why it matters
Petit Bateau is one of the best known French heritage brands in childrenswear. Its sale by Rocher to a US turnaround investor marks a new chapter and makes it a case to watch for how heritage brands are repositioned under financial ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Petit Bateau?
Petit Bateau was sold in September 2025 by Groupe Rocher to Regent L.P., a US private equity firm based in Beverly Hills. Rocher had owned the brand since 1988.
Where is Petit Bateau from?
Petit Bateau is a French brand from Troyes, in the Champagne region. Its origins go back to a hosiery factory opened there in 1893.