Philomathique De Bordeaux

What Philomathique De Bordeaux does

The Société Philomathique de Bordeaux is a non-profit association founded in 1808 in Bordeaux, France, recognized as a public utility establishment since 1859 by imperial decree of Napoleon III. It specializes in vocational training and transmission of traditional arts and crafts trades, operating from a 5,000 m² purpose-built historic facility constructed in 1869 at 66 rue Abbé de l'Epée within Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage perimeter. The institution is QUALIOPI certified (since February 2021) and authorized to deliver national Education Ministry diplomas, serving adults in professional reconversion, hobbyist amateurs, and corporate clients across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Its core offerings comprise QUALIOPI-certified professional diploma programs (CAP and BP level) in three sectors: wood trades (CAP Menuiserie, BP Menuiserie, CAP Ébénisterie), fashion (CAP Couture Flou, CAP Couture Tailleur, BP Vêtement Sur Mesure, CS Bijoux de Mode), and furniture upholstery (CAP Tapisserie en Siège). These range from 9-month CAP programs to 2-year BP programs delivered in alternation. Training relies entirely on traditional artisanal craft techniques transmitted through hands-on instruction by 51 active professional trainers who all work as practitioners in their respective trades—there is no digital learning platform. Supporting the diploma programs are amateur workshops across four poles (wood, fashion, upholstery, artistic), corporate team-building experiences, and event space rentals (Salon 1808, Atrium, meeting rooms).

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: professional training tuition at €4,620-€12,792 per program (CPF-eligible), amateur workshop fees for short-format sessions, and corporate services including team building and space privatization. The institution also receives tax-deductible donations from individual and corporate patrons (mécènes) including AXA France, Crédit Agricole, CAA Fondation, and Kardham. Approximately 150 individuals are trained annually in career-transition programs and 800 in hobbyist workshops, with 70% female learners and 80% drawn from the Bordeaux metropolitan area. The organization has trained 118 Meilleurs Ouvriers de France since 1920 and maintains an 80%+ pass rate on national exams.

Name

Philomathique De Bordeaux

Legal name

Société Philomathique de Bordeaux

Website

https://www.philomathiquebordeaux.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1808

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Philomathique de Bordeaux is a 1808-founded, public-utility non-profit in Bordeaux, France, delivering QUALIOPI-certified vocational training (CAP/BP) in wood, fashion, and upholstery trades, alongside amateur workshops and corporate team-building, serving ~950 learners annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Arts and Crafts Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)

Keywords

• Vocational arts training
• Craftsmanship diploma programs
• Professional retraining crafts
• Corporate team building
• Heritage event venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordeaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Tuition: Revenue from professional diploma programs (CAP, BP) ranging from €4,620 to €12,792 per course. Programs are 9 months (CAP) or 2 years (BP) and prepare students for national education diplomas. Eligible for CPF financing.
2. Amateur Workshop Fees: Short-format hobbyist workshops in wood, fashion, furniture, and artistic disciplines. Sessions are 2-3 hours, weekend workshops, and week-long intensive courses.
3. Corporate Services: Team building workshops and space rental for seminars, conferences, and events. Custom experiences co-designed with client companies.
4. Donations and Mécénat: Financial donations from individuals and corporate patrons (mécènes). Donations are tax-deductible (66% for individuals, 60% for companies). Skills sponsorship (mécénat de compétences) from professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Philomathique de Bordeaux is a non-profit vocational training association offering QUALIOPI-certified professional diploma programs (CAP and BP) in wood trades, fashion, and furniture upholstery, alongside amateur hobbyist workshops, corporate team building experiences, and historic event space rentals. Its primary mission is professional retraining toward arts and crafts trades, delivered through hands-on instruction by 51 active professional trainers in a 5,000 m² historic building in central Bordeaux.

Product overview

Philomathique de Bordeaux is a historic vocational training institution (founded 1808, recognized public utility since 1859) offering a portfolio of craft training programs and services. The core offerings are QUALIOPI-certified professional diploma programs (CAP and BP levels) in three main sectors: Wood Trades (carpentry, joinery, woodworking), Fashion (couture, tailoring, fashion jewelry), and Furniture Upholstery (upholstery, furniture restoration). Supporting these are hobby/amateur workshops in four poles (wood, fashion, upholstery, artistic), corporate team building services, and event space rentals. The institution serves adults in professional reconversion, job seekers, hobbyists, and corporate clients through its 5,000m² historic building in central Bordeaux.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAP Couture Flou A 562-hour professional training program preparing students for the CAP Métiers de la Mode – Vêtement Flou diploma, teaching techniques for soft, unstructured garments including cutting, assembly, pressing, finishing, and basic pattern making over 9 months. Designed for adults in professional reconversion.
• CAP Couture Tailleur A 420-hour professional training program preparing students for the CAP Métiers de la Mode – Vêtement Tailleur diploma, focused on structured and tailored garment techniques including cutting, interfacing, assembly, and professional finishing over 9 months.
• BP Vêtement Sur Mesure – Option Couture Flou A 984-hour advanced professional diploma program (Brevet Professionnel niveau 4) in custom-made clothing with a fluid garment option, covering complex design, precise adjustments, and high-end finishing over 2 years in alternation.
• CS Bijoux de Mode A 450-550 hour certification program (Certificat de Spécialisation niveau 3) in fashion jewelry design and manufacture, teaching creation of high fantasy jewelry collections using metal, resin, and flexible materials, including prototyping, technical manufacturing, and professional portfolio development.
• CAP Menuiserie A 650-hour professional training program preparing students for the CAP Menuisier Fabricant diploma, teaching carpentry techniques including cutting, shaping, machining, assembly, and technical drawing for furniture, doors, and windows over 9 months.
• BP Menuiserie A 940-hour advanced professional diploma program (Brevet Professionnel niveau 4) in carpentry, covering complex custom-made projects, workshop fabrication, on-site installation, team management, and technical coordination over 2 years in alternation.
• CAP Ébénisterie A 550-hour professional training program preparing students for the CAP Ébénisterie diploma, focusing on advanced wood craftsmanship, technical CAD design, complex furniture fabrication, and precious finishing techniques, with art history components.
• CAP Tapisserie en Siège A 700-hour professional training program preparing students for the CAP Tapissier d'Ameublement en Siège diploma, teaching traditional upholstery techniques including degarnissage, sanglage, guindage, traditional crin cushioning, fabric cutting, and furniture restoration over 9 months.
• Ateliers Bois (Woodworking Hobby Workshops) Amateur workshops in woodworking including initiation to carpentry, initiation to joinery, and carpentry/joinery proficiency courses held weekly with 3-hour sessions taught by professional artisans. Open to all skill levels with no prerequisites.
• Ateliers Mode (Fashion Hobby Workshops) Amateur workshops in fashion including sewing initiation, advanced wardrobe creation, leathercraft initiation, and art embroidery, offering hands-on craft experience for all skill levels.
• Ateliers Ameublement (Upholstery Hobby Workshops)

Quantifiable outcome

• 80%+ pass rate for Education National exams
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Force FemmesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2026Partnership for European Heritage Days 2026 event. Collaboration on women's entrepreneurship in artisanal trades with guided tours, demonstrations, testimonials, and round table 'Paroles de femmes'.
• Chambre de Métiers (CMA Nouvelle-Aquitaine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership supporting student business creation projects. Chamber of Trades provides guidance on business structure, administrative procedures, entrepreneurial posture, and professional networking. Every learner benefits from this accompaniment to develop their independent activity.
• AXA FranceminorOthersCorporate patron (mécène) supporting the organization through financial donations
• Crédit Agricole Solidarité et EnvironnementminorOthersCorporate patron (mécène) supporting the organization through financial donations
• CAA FondationminorOthersFoundation patron supporting the organization's mission and projects
• KardhamminorOthersCorporate patron (mécène) supporting the organization through financial donations
• MADD Bordeaux (Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner for exhibitions and cultural programming
• Musée BA (MusBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner for cultural collaboration and exhibitions
• Opéra National de BordeauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner; collaborated on pedagogical project including costume work for opera productions
• Visiter BordeauxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism partner organizing guided visits of the historic building for visitors, creating visibility and public awareness
• France Travail (formerly France Travail)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary referral channel for job seekers seeking professional retraining. Provides funding support for eligible candidates.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ESMA (École Supérieure des Métiers d'Art): Network of private art and craft schools in France covering applied arts including fashion, design, and visual crafts. Adjacent competitor for adult learners seeking craft credentials in similar disciplines to those taught at the Philomathique.
• École Boulle: Prestigious Paris public school offering diploma programs in cabinetmaking (ébénisterie), upholstery, fashion, and decorative arts. Highly comparable to the Philomathique's offer but located in Paris with broader initial (post-bac) programs and a different funding model as a public school.
• INMA - Institut National des Métiers d'Art: National institute dedicated to promoting and preserving métiers d'art through training, certification, and sectoral advocacy. Mirrors the Philomathique's mission at the national level and is a natural ecosystem peer in heritage and craft preservation.
• Les Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France: France's premier national craft apprenticeship association offering CAP/BP-level training and itinerant journeymanship in woodworking, upholstery, fashion, and heritage trades. Most direct comparable to the Philomathique's core mission, although organized as a national network rather than a single-site institution.
• Creapole: Private Bordeaux-based school offering fashion design and couture programs. Direct geographical competitor for the Philomathique's fashion/couture training cohort and shares the same regional labor pool and corporate client base.

Broad incumbents

• GRETA: National public network of GRETA (Groupements d'Établissements) delivering adult vocational retraining across France. Overlaps with the Philomathique on the adult reconversion training segment, although GRETA's portfolio spans all trades and qualification levels rather than specializing in artisanal crafts.
• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA): Public network operating regional Chambers of Trades that provide CAP-level training, business creation support, and apprenticeship orchestration for artisanal trades. Strategic CMA Nouvelle-Aquitaine is already a key partner of the Philomathique, but CMA also runs competing programs in overlapping trades.
• ESMOD: International network of fashion schools founded in Paris in 1841 with programs in design, pattern-making, and couture. Comparable to the Philomathique's CAP/BP Couture and BP Vêtement Sur Mesure offerings, though ESMOD targets a more design-oriented, internationally focused student.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqo674RoyZAHzRL_SPxvahw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/philomathique
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philomathique-de-bordeaux
• Instagraminstagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/philomathique

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Philomathique De Bordeaux