Here are the 20 best men’s French shoe brands you need to know! Whether you are looking to treat yourself to a pair of Chelsea boots, stylish loafers, or sturdy leather white sneakers, in today’s article, I’ve compiled the ultimate list of the 20 best men’s French shoe brands to have on your radar. Many may be names you are already familiar with, like Berluti, Saint Laurent, or Lacoste. Still, in this round-up, I have also included lesser-known and younger street labels that have all mastered the centuries-old art of shoemaking. And if you’re looking for more affordable brands, I have you covered, too. Discover the 20 best men’s French shoe brands to revamp your footwear collection. For more recommendations, check out my previous article on the coolest French clothing brands for men.
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1. Octobre Éditions
I’m sure you’ll love Octobre Éditions! The idea behind this Parisian label is simple: to get back to menswear basics and create a Parisian-inspired wardrobe composed of pieces that can be revisited season after season. From the beginning, Octobre Éditions has made sustainability an important focus by choosing natural materials and always creating a strong relationship with their ateliers to ensure the highest quality. As a result, 95% of the brand’s pieces are handcrafted in their European ateliers. From boat shoes to essential sneakers, boots, derbies, and loafers, I’m sure you will find the perfect pair of shoes to add to your collection!
2. Veja
Since 2005, Veja, through its social and environmental commitment, has made it possible to wear shoes designed to last. With carefully chosen materials such as natural rubber and fish skin leather, Veja puts innovation at the heart of its production. The label offers stylish, well-thought-out sneakers designed to last long-term. With a distinctive V on the side, the sneakers in the Veja men’s collection are French men’s go-to shoes for everyday wear.
3. J.M. Weston
J.M. Weston is a French luxury shoe company founded by Édouard Blanchard in 1891 in Limoges. Specialized in producing men’s shoes for over a century, J.M. Weston blurs the boundaries between genders for its women’s collection. The label regularly unveils daring creations, such as their iconic “Le Golf” loafers or exclusive collaborations using noble materials such as calfskin. It’s one of my favorite men’s French shoe brands!
4. Sandro
Known for its clean lines and sophisticated aesthetic, Sandro is a luxury Parisian brand featuring refined and versatile men’s and women’s collections. In Sandro menswear, expect sleek lines and simple shaping, such as slim-fit turtleneck jumpers and tailored trousers that transition easily from your desk to dinner plans. You’ll find block colors alongside neutral tones, making it simple to mix and match your wardrobe from within the brand’s collection.
5. Berluti
The story of Berluti began in 1895 when a young 30-year-old Italian, Alessandro Berluti, brought his creative energy to Paris to practice his craft as a master shoemaker. He named his first model, a lace-up shoe, after himself, Alessandro, and the House took his surname, Berluti. Since then, every generation of the House has cultivated exceptional savoir-faire in mastering form and working with leather and patinas.
6. Celine Homme
Before Céline Vipiana was even thirty, she founded her eponymous brand as a made-to-measure shoe service for children. Since then, Celine has expanded into ready-to-wear and accessories—defining French savoir-faire through its unique lens. Today, Celine’s pillars of Parisian style and exceptional quality are reinforced by artistic director Hedi Slimane through the ateliers at 16 rue Vivienne.
7. Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent is a French luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, in 1961. Today, under the creative vision of Anthony Vaccarello, in the edit of men’s Saint Laurent ready-to-wear, you’ll find classic blazers, irreverent T-shirts, boldly printed sweatshirts, and classic denim jackets. Regarding shoes, expect edgy boots, sleek sneakers, Chelsea boots, and penny loafers.
8. Lacoste
Lacoste is a French clothing label founded in 1933 by the French tennis player René Lacoste (who became the best player in the world 1926-1927) and entrepreneur André Gillier. Whether playing a sport or going into town, Lacoste shoes for men go with practically everything! From sneakers for daywear to slides for lounging on the beach and loafers for a chic look, you’ll find a pair of shoes for every occasion.
9. Christian Louboutin
Known for his iconic red-soled shoes, Christian Louboutin is synonymous with fashion and luxury. When working in his studio in the ’90s, he grabbed a bottle of red nail polish from his assistant Sarah and painted a shoe’s sole. The brand’s signature style now extends to distinctive shoes and accessories for men. Check out the signature “Dandelion” loafers and spiked “Louis” sneakers.
10. Moncler
Moncler was born in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, a small village in the mountains near Grenoble, with a focus on sports clothing for the mountain. In 1968, Moncler debuted a streamlined, lightweight down jacket developed for the French alpine skiing team at the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. This coat became the precursor to Moncler’s signature model, which remains a top seller today.
11. Salomon
In the heart of the French Alps, Salomon was founded in 1947 by François Salomon and is a major brand in outdoor sports equipment. Today, the brand’s inventive offering is developed at its design headquarters in Annecy and covers a range of activities, including running, skiing, and hiking.
12. Bobbies
Founded in 2010, Bobbies is a French shoe brand that produces exceptional shoes and leather goods. Designed in Paris, their creations are developed in Portugal from raw and noble skins of Italian origin. Bobbies create unique models that are easy to wear, timeless yet fashionable, and iconic. It’s one of my favorite men’s French shoe brands!
13. Faguo
Faguo is a responsible French sneakers brand founded in 2009 by Frederic and Nicolas during their university exchange semester in China. The name “Faguo” means “France” or “Country of Law and Manners” in Chinese. To compensate for the carbon emissions due to shoe production, Faguo’s concept is simple: the label plants a tree for each pair of shoes, apparel & accessories sold.
14. Bexley
Eric Botton created the brand Bexley without any industry knowledge or training in Lyon in 1985. Since then, Bexley has firmly established its name, approach, and philosophy within the landscape of men’s ready-to-wear. The brand offers quality pieces that stand the test of time and transcend fashion trends, as well as shoes and clothes to which everyone can be themselves and to which everyone can relate.
15. M. Moustache
M. Moustache is a French shoe brand created in 2012 by three friends: Antoine Vigneron, Guillaume Alcan, and Thibault Repelin. Because reducing impact is the only way to make fashion positive, choosing raw materials is essential for M. Moustache. This is why the brand favors eco-responsible materials to reduce the carbon footprint of its products. Discover their trainers, boots, derbies, running shoes, sandals, socks, and more.
16. Septième Largeur
Septième Largeur is a French shoe brand founded in 2009 by Mathieu Preiss and his uncle Marcos Fernandez, a shoe pioneer. Since the beginning, the Parisian label has been committed to making high-end men’s shoes accessible to the greatest number of people. Over the years, Septième Largeur has continued to perfect the art of coloring leather. Still called “Patina,” it elegantly imitates the passage of time, which remains the best guarantee of a well-made shoe today.
17. Kleman
Kleman is a shoe brand founded in 1945 by René Cléon, a french shoemaker. The story began in the family home in La Romagne, specializing in Kneipp-sewn mixed models, then the business grew, and a factory was built. The label offers a raw, authentic, and timeless unisex style. Kleman offers models that charm both men and women and seek a certain efficiency in a pure and uncompromising style. The Padrod leather shoes and other boots and derbies have remained unchanged since the 1980s. The production remains exclusively carried out in France in their workshops in Anjou.
18. Maison Corthay
Maison Corthay was founded in 1990 by Pierre Corthay and his brother Christophe. The company’s founder, Pierre Corthay, did his apprenticeship in 1979 at the French “Compagnons du Devoir,” one of the world’s most rigorous training schools for artisans. Then, he worked for renowned footwear brands such as John Lobb and Berluti. As a result, knowledge, skill, audacity, and innovation distinguish Maison Corthay, which is famous for its exceptional footwear for men.
19. Caulaincourt
Caulaincourt is a French brand founded in 2008 by Alexis Lafont to offer an unprecedented experience, combining traditional know-how and bold creativity. While the Maison has built its notoriety around the dress shoe, it has quickly emancipated itself by offering collections responding to various styles and uses that allow its customers to wear shoes in all seasons and for all occasions.
20. Heschung
Heschung is, above all, a family story! Eugène Heschung created the factory in 1934, his son Robert takes commitment and his little son, Pierre, now perpetuates the craftsmanship and values of the brand. As a result, the men’s shoe collection is in harmony with the brand’s core values of authenticity and expertise. From derbies to Oxford, loafers, and boots, the style is timeless, the lines sober and clean, an exclusive encounter between elegance and attitude.
Bonjour! I’m Léonce, the founder of Léonce Chenal, a blog dedicated to French fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I’m French, and I'm originally from a small town near Annecy. I launched Léonce Chenal in 2018 while working as a data analyst in London to share my love of effortless French style. After living in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, I’ve now settled in the beautiful city of Bordeaux. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me baking pâtisseries, exploring hidden museums, or searching for the perfect perfume. I hope this space brings a touch of beauté to your everyday life!