The story begins in 1870, when Jean-Baptiste Rautureau, an artisan bootmaker, founded a shoe-making workshop in La Gaubretière, Vendée. This first workshop marked the birth of a manufacturer of children's shoes in France, renowned today for its high standards and passion for the craft.

One hundred years after Jean-Baptiste Rautureau, an artisan bootmaker based in the Vendée village of La Gaubretière, his great-grandsons, brothers Yvon and Guy Rautureau, joined ERG (Etablissement Rautureau Gaubretière) and transformed it into an innovative, high-performance company, able to stand out both for its manufacturing expertise and its original lines, like this emblematic sandal created in 1970.

This was the first Pom d'Api sandal built using a traditional assembly method, which we still use today on our plagette line.

Driven by the desire to express their creativity to the full, the two brothers decided to develop a children's range, giving birth to Pom d'Api. This round, cheerful name echoes the famous French nursery rhyme "Pomme de reinette et pomme d'api".

The apple became the emblem of their creations, immediately recognized by footwear professionals for their quality and originality.

Recognized for the originality of its designs, Pom d'Api was awarded the Oscar for Creativity in Milan in 1976. This distinction marked a turning point: retailers and designers discovered the unique universe of the apple brand, where innovation blends with poetry. Pom d'Api quickly became a household name in France and abroad.

In the early 1980s, Pom d'Api inaugurated its first boutique in the heart of Paris, followed by other openings in the provinces and abroad. Building on its success, the brand established itself as an essential reference in the world of children's footwear.  

All our Pom d'Api stores: discover. 

In 2013, the Shoemakers group created Shoo Pom, a brand combining style, comfort and accessibility. For over 10 years, our teams have been inspired by the creative world of children to design models in their image that they love: colorful, playful and sparkling. 

Designed to accompany children on their daily adventures, each collection features shoes they love to wear. Each step becomes a discovery, and each shoe a unique playmate. 

Discover our ShooPom brand website, right here.

In 2016, Rautureau's children's division, with the Pom d'Api and Shoo Pom brands, became independent of the adult brands. The children's division then became the Shoemakers Group, a footwear company specializing in children's footwear.  

The company's head office is located in Chambretaud, in the Vendée region, not far from the historic site, in order to preserve the company's values. The group has its own design office, where patternmakers and model-makers create new models based on know-how handed down from generation to generation.  

To celebrate the occasion, Pom d'Api unveils an exclusive collection revisiting its iconic models. The Billy Papy model has a vintage, colorful air, while the Plagette Strap and Waff Papy sandals are clad in top-of-the-range leathers. 

These reissues reflect Pom d'Api's heritage of quality baby and children's shoes, designed with care and faithful to the brand's know-how. 

They're talking about us in the press:

• Fashion Network
• Les Echos
• Judicial Informer

In winter 2024, Tartine et Chocolat and Shoemakers are launching a licensed shoe collection called Tartine et Chocolat Souliers. The collection is both modern and authentic, with clean lines and classic colors to suit every stage of life, from first step to junior. The very essence of Tartine et Chocolat can be found in the revisited timeless designs and refined details.

The Tartine et Chocolat Souliers collection: discover.

In the spring of 2025, Bonton and Shoemakers are launching a licensed shoe collection called Bonton Shoes. These shoes offer comfort and quality, while respecting Bonton's DNA: a creative, colorful universe resolutely focused on children. The shared ambition of the two brands is to provide children with a complete daily wardrobe, accompanying them on all their adventures. 

The Bonton Shoes collection is available on our Shoo Pom website: discover.