How do you defend French expertise in the face of frenetic international competition? The eyewear companies in the Jura region are rising to this challenge by focusing, each in their own way, on quality, creativity, innovation, technical expertise and authenticity.

Faced with globalisation and a deep economic crisis that led to redundancies, bankruptcies and factory closures in the 1990s, companies had to restructure, with some relocating a large part of their production to Asia. Faced with a host of difficulties at national level and stiff competition at international level, French companies (85% of which are based in the Ain and Jura regions) are resisting and standing out today by focusing on quality, durability, innovation, creativity, technical expertise, eco-responsibility and authenticity. Some companies focus on design, assembly, finishing, distribution and even production, usually on a small scale; others retain manufacturing (frames, components or accessories) to ensure small or medium-sized production runs and top-of-the-range products, under their own brand or as subcontractors. The industry also includes specialised subcontractors (polishing, surface treatments, tooling, etc.). Rising to the challenge of defending French expertise, these companies are helping to ensure that the history of eyewear in the Jura region lives on.

The exhibition was designed with the support of the DRAC Bourgogne Franche-Comté and in partnership with Applications Lunetières, Gouverneur Audigier, Julbo, Manufacture Andy Wolf Jura, Morel, Naja Manufacture, Oxibis Group, Plein les Mirettes/PLM, Manufacture Thierry S.A., Vuillet-Vega and Visio Lunetterie.