Today's 'My Paris' features a fabulous place where you can have your shoes expertly repaired, altered or renewed...la maison Pulin.
Pulin is a family business established in 1946, and the knowledge of shoemaking and repair has been passed from generation to generation.
Roger Vivier is one of many fashion houses that trust Pulin with their after-sales services, and it was through RV I first came across Pulin. They did a fantastic job of re-soling my Marlène and Belle Vivier pumps.
RV generously shared the address, and when it came to renewing the soles of my Hermès Jumping boots, I took them Pulin. In previous years I had them resoled by Hermès, but H only works with leather, and after a few sliding (and near falling) incidents, I longed for a firmer grip on the pavement
and decided this time on rubber soles instead.
Pulin is located very nearby the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (in a little side street behind Madeleine), and so much more than just a shoe repair place. They also make made-to-measure shoes and alter your existing pairs, all done expertly by hand.
For my box leather boots, Monsieur recommended Saphir
As for the result, I could not be happier. Below my mocca boots when they were still new,
and here both pairs, ready for a winter full of walking, rain or shine!
The new soles, with a thickness of just 1.5 mm.
For those who are living out of town but plan a visit to Paris, you can always send your boots and shoes to Pulin a couple of weeks ahead of your stay, and then pick them up when in town. Or, if you are staying for a week, you could drop them in on a Monday, and collect them by the following Friday.
The cost of re-soling both pairs was 88 EUR.
Pulin - Bottier
5 rue Chauveau Lagarde
75008 Paris
Tel: +33 (1) 42 65 08 57
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It looks like a wonderful shop MaiTai. And I agree about the rubber soles for boots, so much better and safer for negotiating wet pavements!
ReplyDeleteSorry for not having commented for ages, but I've really enjoyed catching up on all your adventures! I love your new scarf and your last post with the two looks, as well as your autumn trip to Paris.
Now I'm off to re-read all the posts I've missed!
Have a wonderful week,
Melusine x
Welcome back, my dear Melusine! So nice to see you again <3 Glad you enjoyed the post, and catching up on previous ones. Have wonderful rest of the week too! x
DeleteI love this post! I could spend weeks just watching the cobblers at work. Shoemaking and even repair is fascinating to me. I will have to visit on my next trip to Paris.
ReplyDeleteYour boots look almost new again. Perfect!
Monsieur is very charming and friendly, I am sure he'd be delighted to have you watch!
DeleteMT, you are the best!!! You educate us on all the places that make life worthwhile and you find the most intersting people! The photos really do bring your words to life :) Based on the line outstide the shop, it looks like trenches are the next big thing!
ReplyDeleteFinally, today my CLF scarves arrived...WOW. The colors just pop off the scarf! Are they using a different process? The stars look like they twinkle! So artfully done! AND...the 2012 ribbon is added bonus!
A million thanks for bringing this one to my attention--I would have missed it otherwise ! Let the joy begin....Best, P
I love putting these profiles together, so happy you enjoy them too. Many congratulations on your CLFs! Isn't it just wonderful how those twinkling stars end up around the neck... it's such a beautiful design.
DeleteYou make shoe polish and brushes look so elegant!
ReplyDeleteI tend to have the rubber soles put on before I even wear my boots. Keeps them lasting a long time.
Such beautiful work. Thanks for sharing with us!
Awh, it's not me... the shoe polish and brushes were elegant! Happy you enjoyed the post :-)
DeleteOh do I remember slipping and sliding because of the soles! When I was a kid, I had a pair of sandals with a hard plastic heel that would skid along smooth surfaces, and at the shopping mall one day, my dad had to hold my arm so I wouldn't go splat on a routine basis. How funny that you should mention this in a blog right after I thought of that a few days ago. They certainly did a lovely job, and the price was fair.
ReplyDeleteWe were shoe twins as kids! LOL. What a sweet memory with your Dad though, I only remember a grazed knee.. Enjoy a lovely weekend!
DeleteI agree with P, dearest MaiTai. Your blog is such a huge lesson on 'joie de vivre' and one of my most cherished daily breaks.
ReplyDeleteYour boots look like new and Bottier Pulin is a very useful place yo know. Thank you for sharing it with us. Have a great day! M xx
Oh my dear sweet Manuela, your lovely compliment made me so happy. It's been so many years, and therefore means a lot you still enjoy it here. Hugs xx
DeleteI really do!
DeleteEach post is so rich and inspiring and you, my dear, very sweet and kind. Have a lovely week ahead. Look forward to your return. Hugs to you too, M.
I love artisan shops like this, they are so special and so very rare nowadays.
ReplyDeleteThey are rare gems indeed. A lot of them seem to be tucked away in Paris, making the city so special and wonderful.
DeleteOf course thanking you for the once again great info, - summed up so nicely and with such lovely pics - but then I'm also excited to read that your boots are now not fit for another trip Vienna! Hubby and I have also gotten into the habbit of adding some rubber to our (fall/winter) shoes, so we're fit to walk around without slipping on wet leaves or snow. It's been quite a while so a visit is strongly suggested! :D xox, Macs
ReplyDeleteAwh, my dear sweet Macs, the boots are Jumping with joy at the prospect of walking on Vienna's beautiful streets one day! Rubber soles on the feet and Glühwein in hand, winter here I come ;-) xox
DeleteDear MT,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your secrets with us, it's always really interesting to know the useful places to go to in order to have something fixed with top quality materials and elegance at the same time.
As you know everything and anything about Hermes, do you by any chance know where the gorgeous jumping boots are produced? I know they are made in Italy, somewhere in the Veneto region, but maybe you know the place and the name ofthe producer?
I would like to have a pair of boots made to order for me in the same quality as the jumping boots that I need for riding ;)
thanks a lot
laura
Dear Laura, happy you enjoyed Pulin's profile. Re your question, I don't know the name of the Italian boot maker who makes the Jumping boots for Hermès. But here a couple of pics of the atelier:Jumping boots
DeleteI doubt they'd take individual commissions, though.
I luff it that you know all these secret gems.
ReplyDeletex
Happy you enjoyed, my dear FF xx
DeleteCongrats on the successful completion of your 'sole' project! Not only will your boots and shoes last forever,your feet will thank you,too,after a day of walking. I put these rubber soles on all of my shoes and boots before they ever hit the ground. My cobbler is very talented. Unfortunately, he does not possess the charming smile of your man.
ReplyDeleteWarning to all ....if you feel the urge to dance....make sure you know how to move your upper body and pick up your feet! These sole protectors DO NOT slide(that is the purpose)! Bobble head doll moves be damned...just dance;-)
Have a glorious week,dear friend...T xx
My feet are grateful indeed, the added comfort is an unexpected, but very welcome side effect! Thank you for sharing the extra tip.. had not thought of it, but it makes complete sense, of course! The RVs are perfect for dancing though.. as if you need further convincing ;-) Have a most wonderful weekend! xx
DeleteYou are the sweetest most giving friend to all, dearest MaiTai, for always sharing your treasures so very generously with us <3 Your beautifully restored boots are impeccable, and I'm most happy to know that you'll be safe in them now. As Tabitha said, these wonderful artisans are so very cherished and all so rare now. Thank you for bringing to life so vividly monsieur's love for his art. Hope you're having a most happy week. Sending you much love and warmest hugs always xox
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thank you for your sweet thoughts, my dear friend, we are gratefully all well <3
Dear Mai Tai
ReplyDeleteThank you again for yet another great address. Beautiful workmanship and excellent price - 1/3rd of the cost of Zurich! so I will def be taking my shoes to Paris the next time I go there. Thank you also for having the discipline to continue with your blog, I have learn't SO much from you and it is so kind of you to share so much.
Kindest Regards
SarahB
Thank you for sharing another parisian gem, your city is like a treasure chest brimming with these wonderful craftsmen. Isn't heartening when skills are passed from generation to generation, keeping it alive. Ax
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful place for shoe care. We need more like this, I am looking at the Saphir cream which one is it exactly there are two similar one's?
ReplyDeleteThankyou Cx
Dear Carla, the one I have is called Creme 25 (based on shea butter), and the label also says 'Medaille d'or 1925 Paris', hope this helps!
DeleteThanks so much for the lovely and kind comments, my dearest Scarf Enthusiast, SarahB, msT and Carla. So happy you enjoyed the post! Have a wonderful weekend xox
ReplyDeleteHi MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteWhat good timing for this post. I have a new pair of Jumping Boots on hold at Hermes and have been on the fence about purchasing them.
I live in California and it rains a lot here, almost every day. One sales person told me that they can't get wet and another told me they would be ok. For $2400 a pair I want to make sure that they can be worn in the winter outdoors or else what good are they ;-)
Have your boots been able to stand the rain?
Does the very stiff back just above the heel break in over time?
How long before you had to re-sole your boots?
Thanks,
L
Where I live, it does not rain very often, but I wear my jumping boots in all conditions and have not had any problems. They will of course get wet when it rains, but if you add rubber soles, at least the moisture won't get through. It is very important to nourish the leather regularely, particularely if they get soaked often. Re the heels, they do soften over time. Mine took a while though, but are comfortable now. It may help to know that these are actual riding boots (the heel needs to move up and down while jumping). Good luck!
DeleteThanks. How long did your soles last before you needed to replace them?
DeleteIt all depends how often you wear them. The black pair got a lot of wear in the first winter, so I replaced the soles and heels in the following year. These were leather soles, though. I am using rubber soles for the first time, and have no experience yet how long they last.
DeleteCher Mai Tai
DeleteI am eager to learn how rubber soles have lasted ?
Merci, Louise
Incredibly well. So far, there was no need to replace them.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing your information of the care of your jumping boots! Maybe I have the same question as Carla about the Creme 25 Medaille d'Or from Saphir; which one do you use for your mocca ones, the Pommadier creme or the Cordovan creme and did Monsieur recommand the dark brown color or the colourless one?
ReplyDeleteThere is no info marked on the jar, but after a google search it seems that mine is the Pommadier (shea butter based), whereas the Cordovan is 'Neat foot oil based'. I wanted the color of my boots to deepen and darken, and with Monsieur's help decided on 05 (marron foncé).
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Mai Tai for your quick and useful answer!
ReplyDeleteWish you and your family the finest of life, love and friendship this holiday season and throughout the New Year! Warm regards from The Netherlands.
Glad it was helpful :-) Wishing you a most wonderful and happy New Year too!
DeleteThank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us
ReplyDeleteyou really understand what you're talking about! Bookmarked.
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