These breeders from the Monts du Lyonnais have found a solution to no longer sell off their wool

There was a time long ago when the French wool industry was flourishing. Since the middle of the 20th century, this has no longer been the case. Peasant wool is little valued. Farmers get rid of it by shipping it to China for a handful of euros or by mixing it with manure scattered in the soil, when it is not stored for years in a shed. A real waste and a complete loss of income for the sheep breeders who decided to tackle the problem in the Lyonnais mountains.

Since 2024, twelve farms from the Rhône and Loire have been united within the Bêle (Boucle en Laine) association, driven by the same desire to revive the sector. The collective brings together breeders but also artisans and businesses, including one of the last “custom” wool laundries in France. “The initial idea was to sell the wool at a price that would at least reimburse the shearing,” says Murielle Romera, farmer and feltmaker in Saint-Clément-les-Places. A former employee of the textile industry, she trained in wool techniques and makes lighting.

But his stock of wool is far too large for his small production. So, she chose to join the Bêle collective. “Today, there is only one washer in France. He is in Saugues in Haute-Loire. By grouping our wool, we limit transport costs and make big savings. »

“Wool is a great product”

On the farms of the Monts du Lyonnais, Bêle collects around two tonnes of wool per year. Once sorted and washed, the raw material is used to make furniture (rugs, lighting, etc.). It is also used to stuff Norwegian casserole dishes produced in Lyon and has recently been the delight of Moumoute, a start-up created by three students from Insa (an engineering school) which designs bio-sourced designer acoustic panels. The beginnings are encouraging. Laurence Paccard, breeder in Chambost-Longssaisigne, is convinced that the industry has a bright future ahead of it. She is at the head of a flock of around 80 sheep. “Wool is a great product. It insulates against heat and cold, it dampens sound. You can do a lot of things with it. Our goal is to find outlets for it. »

For each kilo of raw wool collected, the Bêle association pays 2 euros to breeders. Philippe Mayol, general director of the Terre Solidaire Foundation, whose mission is to accelerate the ecological transition, sees only positive things in it: “Bêle is effectively transforming a neglected agricultural sector, innovating on its territory and offering a reproducible model. »

In April 2026, its foundation awarded first prize in the “They change the world” competition to the collective of breeders. The association was also given a check for 20,000 euros and offered one-year support. Voters really fell in love with this useful project. “In France, 10,000 tonnes of wool are abandoned or sold off each year. Only 4% is valued locally.

A natural, renewable resource… treated like waste,” deplores the Terre Solidaire Foundation. For the Bêle association, the money received is a great encouragement. It will enable it to train breeders in the valorization of their wool and create prototypes of new products. An online prize pool has also been opened.