Our History

La Scourtinerie is unique in France. It was founded in 1882 by Ferdinand and Marie Fert. In 1892, Ferdinand Fert patented the first loom for weaving Scourtins.

The great frost of 1956, however, forced the company to reinvent itself. Georges and Alain Fert, respectively the son and grandson of Ferdinand Fert, had the lifesaving idea to adapt Scourtins into trivets, rugs, and doormats.

Frédérique Fert, daughter of Alain Fert, joined the company in 1988. Her brother Arnaud followed in 2000, and Sophie Villeneuve Fert, daughter of Frédérique and great-great-granddaughter of Ferdinand, joined in 2014. Today, the Fert family has been weaving Scourtins for five generations.

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1882

Establishment of Fert Workshops

Originally located in the center of Nyons, La Scourtinerie quickly moved to the impressive building it still occupies today, a former silk mill.

Ferdinand and Marie Fert were weavers in Nyons, and in 1892, Ferdinand Fert invented and patented a new machine for the mechanical weaving of Scourtins using coconut fiber thread. These new Scourtins could be washed and reused for several years, and they quickly became a success.

1956

The Frost of 1956

The frost that hit the olive trees of Provence in 1956 devastated many olive growers of the time and, consequently, left the Scourtinerie without purpose.

During that harsh winter, the frost split the bark of most olive trees. They were uprooted and replaced with vineyards and apricot trees, which yielded crops more quickly. It took decades for olive farming to recover. The town of Nyons previously had 10 olive oil mills, but only one survived this infamous period. Additionally, the events in Algeria disrupted olive oil production, and orders for Scourtins came to an abrupt halt.

1956

The Brilliant Idea of Georges Fert

Georges Fert noticed that many people were using worn-out Scourtins as doormats. He had the lifesaving idea of transforming Scourtins originally made for oil mills into decorative and furnishing items while using the same machines. The “Scourtin de Provence” was born.

1958

The Unexpected “Publicity Boost”

Thanks to Jacques Tati! Indeed, the filmmaker boosted sales of the Scourtinerie’s rugs. In his film “Mon Oncle”, the house is decorated in a modern style with Scourtins used as “Japanese stepping stones.”

1979

The Opening of the Shop

In 1970, Alain Fert, the grandson of Ferdinand and Marie Fert, joined the family business. In 1979, he established the retail shop, which today offers Scourtins as well as local products and Indian crafts, originating from the country where coconut fibers are sourced.

Still circular and made of coconut fiber, they are now available as trivets, doormats, and vibrant rugs, with diameters ranging from 25 cm to 2.5 meters.

2013

The Museum Opens Its Doors

Frédérique and Arnaud Fert decided to create a museum showcasing the family history and the evolution of Scourtin manufacturing, now spanning 140 years and five generations.

2017

Creation of the Ombrières

In 2017, Arnaud Fert came up with the idea of using coconut fiber in a cross-weave pattern to create shade sails and canopies.

Thanks to its high resistance to weather conditions, rot-proof nature, and low wind resistance, the Ombrières from La Scourtinerie achieved immediate success.

2024

The Ombrières of Provence

The renowned Ombrières, designed and created in 2017 by La Scourtinerie, have become Les Ombrières de Provence by La Scourtinerie. This new identity celebrates our craftsmanship, our deep connection to Provence, and our commitment to enhancing your moments beneath our coconut fiber shade sails and canopies.

Given the growing success of this iconic creation, we have decided to give it a new momentum. Under the leadership of Arnaud Fert, the 4th generation of La Scourtinerie and the creator of this 100% natural shading solution, Les Ombrières de Provence has become a company in its own right.

La Scourtinerie and Les Ombrières de Provence continue on their respective paths with exciting projects, while remaining united by their shared history and unique expertise. You can still find Les Ombrières de Provence in La Scourtinerie’s shop in Nyons.

Today …

Ensuring the Quality of Scourtins

Frédérique Fert and Sophie Villeneuve-Fert, the great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter of Marie and Ferdinand, continue the family tradition in the ancestral workshop. Sophie now represents the fifth generation. The last Scourtinerie of France enjoys tranquil days by the banks of the Eygues.

In recent years, the Scourtin has regained its original function as a filter. While most of the production is still ornamental Scourtins, the return of traditional presses has led to the Scourtin being woven once again as an oil filter.

The priority has always been to ensure the quality of the products, as well as the preservation and transmission of this expertise.