Just like the Café des Fédérations or the Brasserie Georges, this establishment has seen many people come and go. But this time, we’re not talking about quenelles, but soles! The “Crépin de Lyon,“recently renamed “Maison Baudière, “ has been crafting leather for 155 years. It is quite simply one of the oldest crépins (leather retailers) in France. The shop had recently been on the verge of closing down, but Jacques Baudière (4th generation) decided to take up the torch to perpetuate a craft that is as old as it is fascinating.
Maison Baudière, a 130-year-old Lyon tradition
©Maison Baudière – Facebook
When Jacques Baudière’s great-grandfather bought the shop in 1895, the Lumière brothers were shooting La Sortie de l’usine, the first film ever made. It was a different era… And yet, more than 130 years later, the storefront hasn’t really changed. It could easily be mistaken for a movie set.
With its wooden façade and oversized windows, there are no neon lights or automatic doors here; the door has a simple brass handle. You enter this crepe shop as if you were visiting a friend. It’s incredibly comforting. And who knows how many hands have shaken that handle over the years? Here, leather is king! It is everywhere and can be bought or repaired. Boxes of nails sit next to cowhides and crates of polish. The shelves, like the counter and the floor, are made of wood… the journey back in time is in full swing.
A story that could well have ended…
It’s a beautiful story that could have come to an end in 2022. Jacques Baudière Sr. passed the torch to his son, also named Jacques. The latter initially had no intention of taking over the business, but that changed! The two worked together, hand in hand, during the learning and transition period. The expertise of a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather is anything but insignificant.
©Maison Baudière – Facebook
Jacques Baudière passed away on January 4, leaving his son as the sole owner of the business. The first pages of Volume 4 of the “Maison Baudière” saga are now being written with the desire to keep this story going for a long time to come. All you have to do is revive your old pair of leather loafers and give your dad a nice belt for his next birthday!
📍Maison Baudière, 15 rue Turpin Lyon 2