GLLU: sustainable furniture made in Normandy
GLLU designs and makes 100% Norman, sleek and sustainable furniture in Malaunay, near Rouen. The Normandy Economy Awards, organised by AD Normandie, put the business in the spotlight for its "Made in Normandie" category. Let's find out more. Explore Gllu’s lovingly-made wooden furniture 9 people put their experience and craftsmanship into the Malaunay workshop to…
Exploring Nuclear Training and Risk Prevention in Normandy
19 year old Lisa Guilbert has a nuclear maintenance vocational diploma from Lycée Emulation Dieppoise is now in the final year of her nuclear environment HND. Under the watchful eye of her mentor, Guillaume Robin, she's continuing her apprenticeship at EDF as part of the risk prevention team at Penly nuclear power plant near Dieppe. Let's…
Rowing in Normandy
21 year old Louis Thermy hails from Montpellier and has lived in Rouen for 4 years. Every week he has a date with the Seine. Why? He's a member of the regional youth rowing academy and trains non-stop in Rouen with the goal to join the French team and compete in the 2028 Olympics. Let's…
Introducing Bioeconomy For Change (b4c)
In the space of a few years, Bioeconomy For Change (B4C) has become the flagship network for the bioeconomy in France, Europe and internationally. What do they do exactly? They help their members in their innovation and industrialisation projects surrounding biomass. The business cluster joined forces with the Region in 2021 and uses the area's…
Interview with Frédéric Vardon, a devoted Normandy chef
Frédéric Vardon was born in Eure. His parents were butchers/caterers and came from farming stock between Orne and Calvados. He is now a famous chef at Le 39V, a restaurant in the golden triangle in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. He began his career in Paris at Au Trou Gascon, went to work for Michelin-starred…
Waltersperger, a glass manufacturer with real expertise
Bresle Valley in Seine-Maritime has been known as the glass valley since the 15th century. It alone accounts for over 70% of the perfume bottles produced worldwide and keeps countless traditional trades alive. Let us introduce you to Waltersperger, a living heritage company and the last semi-automatic glass manufacturer in France. Stéphanie Tourres Responsable -…
Mijuin: flying the flag for French products
What is Mijuin? It's a start-up based in Seine-Maritime that wants to provide easier access to flax through local distribution channels. The winner of the Tomorrow's Topics category at the 2023 Normandy Economy Awards is a garment factory where quality meets sustainability Why flax production is at the heart of Mijuin’s sustainable mission "It controls…
Maison Berger: Over a century of expertise
Maurice Berger, a pharmacy technician, created the Lampe Berger in 1898 as an air purifier. Fast forward to the present day and it's now a fully-fledged home accessory. Let's go behind the scenes of the company based in Grand-Bourgtheroulde, in Eure, since 1975. Maison Berger Paris, history https://youtu.be/gZXsEoAuLx4 It all began in 1898 after a…
LEIZUP: improve your social life
Moving to a new place is hard, even if it is Normandy! It may be a lovely place to live but moving to a new region can mean big changes: no family close by, new routines etc. Yoann Poher and Samuel Guillot launched Leizup to help people settle in and combat loneliness. It's a 100%…
Visit the last sequin factory in France, Langlois-Martin, located in Orne
Let's meet Jean-Baptiste Drachkovitch (on the right), co-director of Langlois-Martin, the last sequin manufacturer in France, alongside Pascal Bernard since 2010. The business was founded in 1919 and left the Paris area in September 2018 for Saint-Ouen-sur-Iton in Orne. The factory opened its doors to visitors for the first time as part of the European…
Horse riding in Normandy
Lolita is a 6th year medicine student from Caen. She's loved horse riding since she was a little girl and now indulges in her hobby in Ranville, Calvados. Let's meet her! https://youtu.be/eY8oSgSg1-Q A passion for horses "I fell in love with riding when I was 6 and attended the riding centre in Sully until I…
Climbing in Normandy
39 year old Laura Pugin from Doubs first came to Normandy 12 years ago. She fell in love with the Eure area and that's where, 3 years ago, she discovered climbing. It was an instant hit. Let's find out more. https://youtu.be/IOFYj5Xfh3Y A latecomer to climbing Laura, a school teacher in Val-de-Reuil, discovered her passion for…
Discover Golf in Normandy: Scenic Courses and Rich History
An "albatross", "birdie" and "eagle" are just a few terms to "fly the green" in golf, a popular sport in Normandy. Golf in Normandy offers breathtaking scenery, top-tier technical challenges and a warm welcome, making it a favourite destination for golf lovers. Augustin agrees. Whether you're a fellow golfer or want to find out more…
Trail running in Normandy
If you love trails and running, then lace up and come to Normandy! Gaylord agrees. The 43 year old is leaving Seine-Maritime and Orne behind for Eure this summer: he runs every weekend and this is his chance to explore new playgrounds. Let's find out more. https://youtu.be/WKOKFwkWS_U How trail running in Normandy enhances community and…
Land sailing in Normandy
20 year old Mathilde Larose was born and bred in Cherbourg and recently found a new hobby: land sailing. The accomplished athlete is a youth and sports education apprentice and found out about the well-known Normandy sport at the Office des Sports de Sciotot in the Manche. https://youtu.be/qLwhsYzxxiU Love at first sail "I was introduced…
CERDATO designs sustainable materials of the future in Serquigny
CERDATO (Centre de Recherche, Développement et Assistance Technique de l’Ouest) in the Eure area (27) is one of the Arkema group's biggest R&D labs. 250 researchers work here, researching and developing high-performance materials that are mainly bio-based and recyclable. Making history in Normandy What do the carpet on the SS France ocean liner, shoes worn…
Multiple Perspectives on Milling: Sacha Greneche Showcases Normandy’s Precision and Talent
He won the excellence award at the French WorldSkills event in 2023 and will represent France on the world stage at the event in September 2024: Sacha Greneche, a BTS student in Conception des processus de réalisation de produits (process design in manufacturing) in Lisieux, will champion Normandy milling expertise. Let's hear multiple perspectives about…
Fakear, the electro-prodigy from Normandy
With a new album, Hypertalisman, and a concert at the legendary Salle Pleyel, 2024 has been a milestone year for a Normandy artist who is often described as an electro prodigy. To celebrate the Music Festival, let's take another look at the no-holds-barred interview with Théo Le Vigoureux, aka Fakear! https://youtu.be/AinMnIZEffg French contentHe got thousands…
Virtuoz Feelobject: Revolutionising Accessibility for the Visually-Impaired
The start-up based in Petit-Quevilly has designed an innovative tactile map concept for people with a visual impairment. Virtuoz is already in place at Disneyland Paris, the Assemblée Nationale and will be at the Fan Zones at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Getting your bearings in a new place is simply impossible when you have…
FLEXIKEG: Revolutionising Sustainable Kegs for a Greener Future
FLEXIKEG makes sustainable and durable kegs and won the Innovation award at the most recent Normandy Economy Awards, organised by the economic development agency AD Normandie. It's a major asset to help countless businesses embrace the challenge of sustainability transition. New Generation Kegs: Lighter, Recyclable and Versatile What's the idea? Make kegs that are lighter,…
Jean-Louis Louvel, eco-friendly entrepreneurship
Jean-Louis Louvel is president of the PGS Group near Rouen in Seine-Maritime and was named "Entrepreneur of 2023" by EY. It's a first for a managing director in the region. Let's meet a Norman with inspiring values and his sights set on a more sustainable world. What does PGS stand for? Palettes, Gestion, Services (Pallets,…
AJ Hackett: Normandy, a natural choice
He introduced people to adrenaline-pumping experiences when he bungee jumped off the Eiffel Tower in 1987. AJ Hackett has set up bungee jump sites around the globe attracting thrill-seekers from all over the world. What fuels him? Creating unforgettable experiences in incredible places. One of them is the Souleuvre site in Calvados, the famous New…
Parapluie de Cherbourg: an umbrella for any weather
A popular film around the world, a magical soundtrack and an umbrella shop that became famous despite being pure fantasy... at the time. Jacques Demy's film inspired 22 year old Jean-Pierre Yvon to create his own brand and Le Véritable Cherbourg umbrella factory in the heart of town in 1986. His son, Charles Yvon, now…
In the Suisse-Normande area, Cotral Lab, world leader in custom-moulded hearing protection devices
In the workplace, the different kinds of harm caused by regular exposure to noise are recognised today, such as tension, tiredness, difficulty in concentrating, irritation or hearing loss. In order to combat these problems, Laurent Capellari founded Cotral Lab 26 years ago, at Condé-sur-Noireau, in the Norman county of Calvados. His aim? To provide custom-moulded…
Eco-Technilin: an international showcase for norman know-how
Based at Valliquerville near Yvetot in the Norman county of Seine-Maritime, Eco-Technilin is Europe’s leading supplier of non-woven products made from natural fibres (flax, hemp, kenaf, jute), mainly used for car interiors. Video portrait. Sustainable development The company was created in the year 2000 by an agricultural cooperative, in order to make the most of…
D-Day: A Norman’s tribute to veterans
The wonderful story that you are about to read comes from one of our Normandy Ambassadors, living out in the USA, Virginie Feutry-Durr, without whom this D-Day 2024 would be lacking one of its key ingredients. In 2022, due to her background and her commitment, she was able to lead an American airline company, a…