Tannerie Dumas: the company in the skin

Run since 1926 by the same family of enthusiasts, the tannery-parchment factory Dumas is one of the last three in France. She invites all summer to discover her unique know-how.

Tannery-parchment making is a passion that has been passed down for four generations within the Dumas family. It was in 1926 that Marcel Dumas set up as a parchment maker and created the Dumas et Compagnie establishments in 1936. In 1954, his son André took over the management of the company, joined by his son Frédéric in 1986. And since 2020, Lucile Dumas, Frédéric’s daughter, joined the company, determined to continue writing the rest.

Tradition et innovation

The industry of tannery, tanning and then papermaking merges with that of Annonay. At first flourishing, the tannery declined in 1786 with the king’s decision to tax exported skins. The democratization of gloves revived the industry between 1840 and 1870, but the war against Prussia marked the beginning of a new decline in leather work. Only a few companies still exist, possessing unique know-how. The Dumas tannery has distinguished itself since its creation by its ability to innovate and open up new markets. When it was created, the company intended its parchments for lighting. In 1955, André was nicknamed “Dumas skin of the drum” because he was the only supplier of the Republican Guard and exported all over the world. He also created a tanning process that gave rise to “decorative skins”, sparking a boom in the decoration sector. Frédéric Dumas, in turn, will develop the decoration branch, and relaunch parchment activity from 2000. Schools of arts and crafts, medievalists, calligraphers and historians… Frédéric opens all fields to develop parchment, successfully .

Open the factory to the public

It was by exploring these thousand and one uses of parchment that Frédéric conceived the idea of ​​opening the factory to the public. His project materialized in 2010 with the creation of the Espace du parchment et du cuir, at the heart of the family tannery-parchment, labeled “Living Heritage Company”. The museum takes you on a journey through time: discovery of hide working from the first millennium to the present day, reconstruction of an interior from the 1930s, then a dive into the heart of Maison Dumas know-how: the fuller, the parchment manufacturing stages, a bird’s eye view of the workshops, the dryer… You can also extend your visit with fun workshops for all ages (calligraphy, assembly of a parchment booklet, etc.), courses and internships , a visit to the store.

Practical information :

4 La Combe du Prieuré, 07100 Annonay. Open Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., museum from €4. Guided tours, introduction to calligraphy, illumination: days and times on www.tanneriedumas.com – 06 81 11 17 08.

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