Jacques et Déméter

Founded in 2011, Jacques et Déméter is dedicated to 100% French footwear manufacturing. By progressing from cemented to Blake and finally Goodyear welted construction in the prestigious Malinge workshops, the brand offers a level of artisanal quality and transparency that is rare in contemporary fashion.

Maxime Van Rothem and Valentine founded Jacques et Déméter in 2011 with a name full of symbolism: "Jacques" for the classic French masculine identity and "Déméter," the Greek goddess of the harvest, representing the feminine. The couple started with modest beginnings in Romans-sur-Isère, the historic capital of French shoemaking. Initially, the brand offered cemented construction models at a price point of around 250 euros - a necessary strategic choice, as producing high-quality welted shoes in France for an unknown brand under 450 euros was economically impossible at the time.

A major turning point arrived in 2014 via a successful crowdfunding campaign on Ulule. The funding allowed the brand to move upmarket, transitioning to Blake construction and sourcing premium leathers from top-tier French tanneries in the Rhône-Alpes and Midi-Pyrénées regions. To prove their durability, the shoes were subjected to rigorous real-world testing, including six months of wear without maintenance during multiple trips between France and Cambodia, which they survived remarkably well. Today, the brand has fully embraced Goodyear welted construction, with production moved to the prestigious Malinge manufacture in Cholet. This historic workshop, active since 1859, is the same facility that produces for high-end names like Corthay and Caulaincourt. With four generations of expertise, every pair is cut, stitched, and finished entirely in France. Frequently cited on communities like les passionnés alongside Paraboot and Heschung, Jacques et Déméter remains one of the most honest and transparent choices for 100% "Made in France" footwear.