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Gilbert Beugue
a craftsman shoemaker
Gilbert Beugue is a talented craftsman with a unique savoir-faire. He has been mending shoes for 36 years in his workshop measuring scarcely 4m2 in the heart of Moka. He pursues his passion and brings to life what has now become a rare art.
Focus on a man who inspires both strength and perseverance.
Gilbert Beugue lives in Petit Verger and set up his workshop on A7 Road in Saint Pierre 25 years ago. He learned the tricks of the trade from his father, who was himself a shoemaker. Gilbert was 16 years old in 1985 when he started to learn
the art of shoemaking after school in order to help him. He quickly took a liking to it. When his father left the trade to join a sugar factory, this self-taught artisan took over and continued to learn the intricacies of shoemaking. The student has now surpassed the master!
Breaking with the tradition whereby shoemakers usually don’t work on Mondays (“Lundi cordonnier”), Gilbert’s workshop is open from Monday to Saturday. In the past,
he was assisted by his wife Padmini, but he now works on his own, fixing boots, pumps, football shoes and sandals, among others. There is a nice mess inside with a number
of pairs of shoes scattered on the floor, bags piled here and there and tools spread all over his table. Gilbert manages
to work his way through the mess. Armed with his anvil, hammer, awl, knife and thread, he is busy at work. He offers various services including mending, resoling and forcing to his customers, and even repairs leather goods. This passionate artisan serves his customers’ needs with his usual good humour. “It’s important to enjoy the work you do,” he says.
Gilbert has built a solid reputation over the years and is regularly called upon for shoe repairs by the Orchid Shoes shop, located across the street from his workshop. He welcomes a dozen customers from all over the island every day and adjusts to their deadlines. “I try to please all my customers,” he says. Despite enjoying great success, Gilbert is aware that his trade is disappearing. He doesn’t plan however to give up anytime soon and will continue doing the same job until he retires in order to preserve this traditional craft and satisfy his loyal customers.
Address: A7 Road, Saint Pierre (opposite Orchid Shoes) Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Saturday: 8am to noon
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