“The clog is back in fashion”

It is cold in Mickaël Toudic's workshop, installed in the former bishopric stud farms built in the town center of Saint-Pol-de-Léon, a small tourist town in North Finistère, a stone's throw from Roscoff. The clog maker is at work, woolen hat screwed on his head and clogs on his feet. “We're comfortable in it, it insulates from the cold and the heat,” smiles the 46-year-old craftsman.

Mickaël Toudic is the last clog maker from Finistère. The forty-year-old, an automobile mechanic for two decades, took over the Saboterie de Léon in 2021. In France, they are not more than ten to exercise this profession of yesteryear, recognized as a living heritage. There is no school, know-how is passed on “from hand to hand”. Mickaël Toudic was trained by his predecessor, Michel Cousin.

Between 1,000 and 1,200 pairs per year

“I like woodworking,” confides the former mechanic. Promoted to Guarantee Manager, he was starting to feel antsy in his legs when he saw the announcement from Michel Cousin wishing to hand over. He learned alongside him for six months. “Starting from a tree trunk to make a shoe is magnificent,” marvels Mickaël Toudic. The artisan produces between 1,000 and 1,200 pairs per year, from sizes 35 to 46.

The demand is real. The clog is all the rage, even among young people. “It’s coming back into fashion. People are looking for crafts, healthy and sustainable products ». And for the Finisterian, the clog is undoubtedly “the shoe for going outside, in the garden. With Crocs, our feet are wet,” he gently points out. Do we still need to overcome prejudices?

We all tried on our grandfather's clog when we wore size 35 and he wore size 46. Obviously, it was heavy and we walked poorly.

Mickaël Toudic repeats it again and again: “The clog is light and comfortable. To try is to adopt it. » What he encourages us to do. Allowing us to remove another preconceived idea: we do not slip our delicate foot directly into the clog, we first put on charentaises made of wool and felt. Hence the comfort.

The clog maker also follows trends. To the classics, united, are added more fancy models like the ladybug or leopard one (from 74 euros). It costs 85 euros for a personalized pair.

Six months of drying

In the craftsman's den, the clogs occupy entire sections of the walls, sitting on various workbenches, offering a different appearance depending on the stage of manufacture. Their design is long-term.

Mickaël Toudic sources his beech wood from the National Forestry Office. This precious material is cut to obtain lanes, thick washers with a diameter equivalent to the size of the desired hoof. These will become square blocks destined to be hollowed out to obtain the shape of the hoof. The professional works with old machines dating from 1920 and 1940.

The shoes go through the smokehouse for eight hours, “a natural treatment against worms and fungi”. The heat at the same time drives out the humidity. The hooves will then dry for six months. The craftsman then undertakes the finishing touches: sanding, varnishing, sewing, etc.

Orders throughout France

“It’s a very varied job. I'm a bit of a lumberjack, painter, mechanic, tailor,” says the craftsman, who also takes on the role of salesman. His shop adjoins his workshop. “There is always passage. » He makes 60% of his sales in store, 40% online. It ships orders throughout France, a little abroad such as in the United States.

A customer just comes through the door to pick up a pair of Charentaise shoes for her husband. “He’s always in his clogs in the winter to do some tinkering. »She is frankly not attracted. One day we will have to try Mickaël Toudic to slip him.

La Saboterie de Léon, Place de l’Évêché in Saint-Pol-de-Léon. www.sabot-breton.com/

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