A slice of France

Discover - or rediscover - the history of Paraboot: grounded in the historical background of the French industry, a human adventure, made possible by the encounters of passionate women and men; a family that linked its destiny to the company's, since now 4 generations.
Safe journey in the heart of a preserved universe, where traditions, daring and innovation blend.

Paraboot turns a page of its history
The two historic factories, in Izeaux and Fures, close down. All business activities have been united, under the brand-new roof of the new factory, in Saint Jean de Moirans.

1945 – 2015: 70 years of Michael, crossing different periods of time, revolts and trends
Without ignoring its roots, the model Michael does evolve with society. It’s timeless and carries the brand’s values with pride, on 5 different continents. Throughout recycling and collaborations, the model has known 70 interesting years, filled with emotions.


The on-going development of the Paraboot network
Paraboot, located in Izeaux, Isère, has become one of the last emblems of “Made in France” and “sewn shoes” in the world of footwear.

The family saga lives on
With the arrival of Marc-Antoine in Production, Paraboot enters its fourth generation.


A new, more urban orientation
The collections are from now on more urban, manufactured according to the age-old rules of shoemakers, using the most noble materials. The positioning was high-end but not luxury. Paraboot also diversified, creating a women’s...

The plebiscite of “the” Michael saves Paraboot from disappearing
Whilst negotiating with the Trade Tribunal, Michel Richard went to Italy in search of more efficient equipment. He sought to understand the methods of his most formidable Italian competitors. In the end, he met...


The dark years
In 1973, aware that he had been focusing on products and contact, rather than on management, taking little interest in profits or financial ratios, Julien called on his son Michel – a graduate with experience in the world of multinationals – to streamline the company that had fallen into the trap of the post-war years.

A new direction – extreme shoes
Skiing was quickly abandoned but other sports were approached, leading to interesting new human encounters: in 1970, Gil Delamare and Colette Duval, fiancés from heaven, were at the origin of...


Mountain passion; the Galibier brand changed… and climbed!
Julien Richard had to find new outlets wherever there was a need for specific, technical shoes. He found what he was looking for in leisure sports activities, which were booming.
The Galibier brand, by then ousted by Paraboot for work shoes, became...

A daring wager – stitching at all costs
Julien, Rémy Richard's son, enters the company in 1937, he is 20 years old.
The Phoney War, followed by the Occupation, obviously slowed down production due to a lack of raw materials.


The Paraboot brand registered
Rémy Richard registered the Paraboot name in 1927, from "Para" – a port in Amazonia, where the latex was exported from, and "boot" – the interesting new shoe he had discovered in the United States. As you can see, it was a far more meaningful decision than simply creating a brand with a trendy English-language-sounding name. And so, the Paraboot technique and style were born!

Rubber becomes the DNA of the Paraboot brand
From Paris to London via Amsterdam, Rémy Richard loved travelling and tradeshows, where he collected plenty of medals.
In 1926, although he didn’t speak a word of English, he set sail for the United States. With an eye for innovation, he noticed...


« Chaussures Extra » takes its first steps
Throughout another agent he had taken under his wing, Rémy met Juliette Pontvert, the daughter of a wealthy notary in the Sarthe region. He married her in 1910, and founded Richard-Pontvert. He provided his knowhow, designs and equipment; she contributed her dowry money as capital. Rémy launched the "Chaussures Extra" brand – and a collection of fine high-end shoes.

The audacity and entrepreneurial spirit of Rémy Richard
It all began in the late nineteenth century in Izeaux, a small village at the foot of the Alps. Rémy-Alexis Richard, born in 1878 into a humble farming family, became a semi-skilled cutter at Chevron, one of a score of shoe factories in this Isère village. These factories...

Paraboot turns a page of its history

1945 – 2015: 70 years of Michael, crossing different periods of time, revolts and trends

The on-going development of the Paraboot network

The family saga lives on

A new, more urban orientation

The plebiscite of “the” Michael saves Paraboot from disappearing

The dark years

A new direction – extreme shoes

Mountain passion; the Galibier brand changed… and climbed!

A daring wager – stitching at all costs

The Paraboot brand registered

Rubber becomes the DNA of the Paraboot brand

« Chaussures Extra » takes its first steps

The audacity and entrepreneurial spirit of Rémy Richard

Relive more than 100 years of history of a family shoe business.