1874 - 1919 : The adventure began in 1874, when
Jean-Baptiste Moutet bought the fabric store “Au coin de la rue” in the city center of Orthez in the South West of France. Finding the fabric supply unsatisfactory, he decided to tackle the problem at the source. As a result, in 1913 he set up his first weaving workshop to produce his own products, Pyrenean linen canvases used to make clothes.
1919 - 1941 : MECHANIZATION
Jean-Baptiste’s son, Georges Moutet, succeeded him with the idea of mechanizing the weaving process. This was done in 1919 with the purchase of equipment from an old factory in the Rhône Valley. Georges diversified production, allowing him to increasingly specialize in table linen.
1941 - 1980 : INDUSTRIALIZATION
Jacques Moutet revolutionized the workshop by investing in Jacquard looms. In the 1970’s demand for production was so great he built an ultra-modern factory making Moutet one of the first French household linen companies.
1980 - 2010 : THE MOUTET STYLE
At the end of the 1990s, the crisis hit hard the weaving sector. This did not deter Catherine Moutet, wife of George II, Jacques’ son : she rolled up her sleeves and steered the company
through the storm, becoming the first woman to manage Moutet. Catherine reinvented table linen by working with international designers to create unique and colorful collections.
SINCE 2010: PROMOTING OUR EXPERTISE
Benjamin Moutet, great-great-grandson of the founder, redefined weaving in 2010 by strengthening its local roots and obtaining the “Basque Linen Geographical Indication” while developing innovative projects. Passionate about creation, he founded a research and development program called “Open Factory”, aimed at expanding the limits of weaving.