What Abatilles does

Abatilles (legal entity Société des Eaux Minérales d'Arcachon, SAS, founded 1925) is a French natural mineral water producer operating from a single protected source in the Abatilles district of Arcachon (157 boulevard de la Côte d'Argent). The source is captured at 472 meters depth in a captive Eocene aquifer fed by rainfall on the Massif Central, with water naturally filtering through geological layers at a rate of approximately one kilometer every 300 years. The product is characterized by zero nitrate content, low mineralization (372 mg/L dry residue), and an unchanged mineral composition since 1925; the water is bottled untreated without human contact, with 12,500 internal quality controls performed annually and final 2025 inaugurated Engagé RSE "Statut Confirmé" certification from AFNOR.

The company's core products are L'eau de tous les jours (still water for daily family consumption) and La Bordelaise (still and sparkling in glass and PET formats) marketed under a Bordeaux wine-inspired visual identity. Distribution is split between an exclusive HORECA channel — 4,000+ restaurants in France including 30 Michelin-starred establishments such as Christopher Coutanceau, Les Prés d'Eugénie, Le Taillevent, and the Four Seasons George V — and a family-consumer channel supported by 2025–2026 lifestyle merchandise (t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote and beach bags, foutas, ecocups, a centenary book, and 75cl collector bottles) sold direct-to-consumer via the brand's e-commerce site. The company is independently owned by Jean Merlaut (wine merchant) and Hervé Maudet (managing director, restaurant specialist) since 2013, with 50 employees on 100% permanent contracts, only 38% of the prefecture-authorized pumping volume utilized, and a verified ESG footprint (96% of raw materials sourced in France, 70% of 2024 production carrying pre-mandate solidarity caps, –45% energy consumption versus 2008). International expansion is not currently undertaken; direct-to-consumer delivery is limited to metropolitan France.

Name

Abatilles

Legal name

Société des Eaux Minérales d'Arcachon

Website

https://sourcedesabatilles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Abatilles is a French natural mineral water producer bottling untreated water from a single 472-meter aquifer in Arcachon, distributing primarily through 4,000+ upscale French restaurants and family consumers, with centenary-branded lifestyle merchandise sold via DTC e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Bottled Natural Mineral Water

NAICS

Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Water Bottling (Naturally Mineral) (AFAFACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE)

Keywords

• Natural mineral water
• Premium bottled water
• HORECA distribution
• Sparkling still water
• Centenary merchandise collection

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcachon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bottled Mineral Water Sales: Core revenue from selling natural mineral water, both still (L'eau de tous les jours, La Bordelaise plate) and sparkling (La Bordelaise pétillante), in PET and glass bottles of various sizes. Distribution through HORECA sector (4,000 restaurants in France, 30 Michelin-starred) and retail.
2. Branded Merchandise (Centenary Collection): Limited edition lifestyle products for centenary celebration including t-shirts, tote bags, beach bags, sweatshirts, aprons, ecocups, notebooks, keychains, candy boxes, mugs, and commemorative books.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Abatilles bottles and sells natural mineral water drawn from a single 472-meter deep Eocene aquifer in Arcachon, France. The portfolio includes still water (L'eau de tous les jours, La Bordelaise plate) and sparkling water (La Bordelaise pétillante) in PET and glass formats, distributed primarily to the upscale HORECA sector (4,000+ restaurants, 30 Michelin-starred) and family consumers, with packaging inspired by Bordeaux wine codes. The company also sells a centenary lifestyle merchandise collection (t-shirts, ecocups, tote bags, books, collector bottles) through its own e-commerce site.

Product overview

Abatilles is a French natural mineral water company offering two core water product lines — L'eau de tous les jours (flat, for everyday family consumption) and La Bordelaise (premium still and sparkling water for fine dining, sold in Bordeaux wine-inspired bottles in PET and glass formats). In celebration of its 2025 centenary, the company launched an extensive lifestyle merchandise portfolio sold through its e-commerce store, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, beach bags, aprons, foutas (beach towels), ecocup sets, mugs, a commemorative book about the Bassin d'Arcachon, and limited-edition collector bottles — all branded with Abatilles motifs and anniversary designs. All water products are sourced from a single 472m-deep protected aquifer in Arcachon, with a zero-nitrate composition maintained since 1925.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• L'eau de tous les jours (Still Water) Flat natural mineral water for everyday family consumption, sourced from 472m depth at the Abatilles spring, with zero nitrate levels and balanced mineral composition. Sold in PET and glass formats for family and home use.
• La Bordelaise (Plate – Still) Premium still natural mineral water in glass and PET formats, featuring a Bordeaux wine-inspired bottle design, targeted at fine dining and gourmet consumers.
• La Bordelaise (Pétillante – Sparkling) Finely sparkling premium natural mineral water available in glass and PET formats, appreciated by Michelin-starred chefs and fine dining establishments for pairing with wine and food.
• 100 ans Centenary Collector Bottle Limited-edition centenary sparkling water bottle in the Bordelaise 75cl format, sold in pairs for celebration and gifting.
• Le T-shirt Soleil du Bassin Short-sleeve unisex t-shirt in soft recycled cotton with Bassin d'Arcachon sun motif (€15).
• Le Cabas de plage Beach tote bag in striped recycled cotton/polyester (390 g/m²), 60x40 cm, with Abatilles logo (€30).
• Le T-shirt Sous les pins T-shirt featuring Bassin d'Arcachon pine forest motifs and emblems (€15).
• Le Porte-clé Retro vintage keychain in Abatilles brand colors, 9.8 cm tall (€15).
• Le T-shirt Vivre d'amour & d'eau fraîche Unisex short-sleeve t-shirt in soft recycled cotton bearing the brand slogan (€15).
• L'écocup de l'été (Summer 2026) Pack of 6 fully recyclable ecocups in the Summer 2026 design (€12).
• La boîte de bonbons Metal candy tin containing mint-flavored sweets in white or blue color, 36-month shelf life (€3.50).
• Le tote bag Soleil du Bassin Modern-style cotton tote bag with Bassin d'Arcachon summer design (€10).
• Le Mug Vivre d'amour Ceramic mug bearing the brand slogan, for hot beverages (€8).
• Le tote bag Vivre d'amour Cotton tote bag with logo and love-themed message (€8).
• L'écocup marinière Fully recyclable maritime-striped ecocup sold in packs of 6 (€12).
• Le livre – Bassin d'Arcachon, d'amour & d'eau fraîche 208-page centenary commemorative book about the Bassin d'Arcachon with addresses, portraits and regional recipes (€29).
• Le T-shirt Vivre d'amour 100 ans Limited-edition centenary short-sleeve t-shirt with anniversary logo on chest and back, in soft recycled cotton (€15).
• Le sweat 100 ans Limited-edition long-sleeve centenary sweatshirt featuring the anniversary logo (€40).
• La fouta 100 ans Limited-edition 100% cotton centenary fouta (beach towel/sarong), 100x200 cm, 200 g/m², quick-dry (€30).
• Le carnet 100 ans Centenary commemorative notebook with Source des Abatilles branding (€15).
• L'écocup 100 ans Pack of 6 fully recyclable centenary ecocups (€12).
• Le T-shirt 100 ans Loose-fit round-neck centenary t-shirt in recycled cotton with anniversary logo (€15).
• Le tablier 100 ans Limited-edition 100% cotton centenary apron with adjustable metal buckle strap and large front pocket, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero nitrate content (below detection limit)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UBB (Union Bordeaux Bègles)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor rugby union club from Bordeaux region. Abatilles provides water supply for the team, aligning with local sporting excellence and regional identity.
• Stade ToulousaincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop French rugby union club from Toulouse. Partnership supports elite sports while promoting local water brand.
• Racing 92coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional rugby union club from Paris region. Partnership includes Center de Formation Racing 92 for humanitarian support.
• Crus Bourgeois du MédoccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlliance of classified Bordeaux wine estates. Natural synergy between premium water and wine pairing in gastronomy.
• Vins de BordeauxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Bordeaux wine promotion organization. Joint positioning of Bordeaux water with Bordeaux wine in gastronomy.
• Union des Grands Crus de BordeauxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation of elite Bordeaux wine producers. Partnership reinforces premium positioning alongside top wine producers.
• Ferrandi Paris (École de Cuisine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious French culinary arts school. Partnership with culinary education institutions for future chefs to learn about water pairing.
• FIFIB (Festival International du Film de Bordeaux)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor film festival in Bordeaux. Cultural sponsorship for regional arts and entertainment events.
• GarorockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual music festival in Marmande. Partnership with cultural events for brand exposure to younger audiences.
• Arkéa ArenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor concert venue in Bordeaux. Sponsorship of entertainment venue for regional cultural presence.
• Jumping de La Teste-de-BuchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquestrian event near Arcachon. Local sporting event support in the Bassin d'Arcachon region.
• TFC (Toulouse Football Club)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional football club from Toulouse. Sporting partnership beyond rugby for broader regional sports coverage.
• Stade Matmut AtlantiqueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFootball stadium in Bordeaux. Sports venue sponsorship for event visibility.
• TéléthonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual French charitable telethon event. Humanitarian support through water donations for charity events.
• Restos du CœurminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench charity providing meals to the needy. Humanitarian water donations to food banks and charity organizations.
• Banque AlimentaireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench food bank federation. Support for food bank network through water donations to help vulnerable people.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• La Salvetat: La Salvetat is a French sparkling natural mineral water from Auvergne, owned by Danone, marketed for its mineral content and digestive benefits. Comparable to Abatilles on the sparkling French mineral water category and French-market focus.
• Badoit: Badoit is a French natural sparkling mineral water brand owned by Danone, positioned in the premium on-trade/HORECA channel with restaurants and fine-dining establishments — directly comparable to Abatilles' sparkling La Bordelaise Pétillante offering and HORECA go-to-market.
• Plancoët: Plancoët is an independent French regional natural mineral water from Brittany with premium positioning and a focus on terroir authenticity. Comparable to Abatilles as an independent French regional mineral water brand emphasizing provenance.
• Thonon: Thonon is a French natural mineral water (Nestlé Waters) targeted at health-conscious consumers and HORECA. Comparable to Abatilles' positioning around pure, low-mineral French mineral water for daily family and fine-dining consumption.
• Rozana: Rozana is a French natural mineral water with elevated mineral content marketed for digestive health, sold in pharmacies and select retail. Comparable to Abatilles as a French niche mineral water with differentiated health/mineral positioning in the premium segment.
• Wattwiller: Wattwiller is a French natural mineral water from Alsace (Nestlé Waters historically, now independent), with premium positioning and HORECA distribution in France. Comparable to Abatilles as a regional French premium mineral water brand.
• Mont Roucous: Mont Roucous is a premium French natural mineral water from the Mont Roucous spring, targeted at infants and health-sensitive consumers with a low-mineralization profile. Directly comparable to Abatilles on low-mineral, nitrate-free French mineral water positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Perrier: Perrier is the iconic French sparkling mineral water brand (Nestlé Waters), sold globally across foodservice and retail. Comparable to Abatilles as a French sparkling natural mineral water with strong HORECA presence, but vastly larger scale and international distribution.
• Vittel: Vittel is a major French still natural mineral water (Nestlé Waters) with deep HORECA and retail presence. Comparable as a French natural mineral water producer, though Abatilles targets a much more premium niche while Vittel competes on volume.

Emerging players

• Châteldon: Châteldon is a historic French mineral water from Auvergne, bottled in distinctive individualized bottles with historical royal association, positioned in the ultra-premium segment. Comparable to Abatilles on French heritage, ultra-premium pricing, and limited production volume.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EaudesAbatilles

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abatilles