'King of wardrobes' in Normandy is liquidating stock

A well-known Normandy furniture manufacturer known as ‘the king of wardrobes’ is closing down, with its owner looking to sell the 500 remaining pieces at a discount price.

Hugon first opened in 1906, and for over 100 years workers have hand-crafted ‘Norman’-style wardrobes and other furniture such as coffee tables, nightstands, bed frames and bookcases. 

It opened a large store in Bernay (Eure) in 1977, which it has operated out of for nearly 50 years.

Changing tastes in home decor has lowered demand for the furniture – often made out of oak or cherrywood – with cheaper plywood more popular, said 84-year old owner Louis-Charles Hugon to France 3. 

In the 1980s, he employed 60 workers to craft the furniture, but in the final few years of the store that fell to only a handful of workers. 

The company has not created any pieces since October 2025, and is now looking to sell all its remaining stock.

30% discount on all stock 

Initially looking to find a buyer to take over the business, Louis-Charles found it impossible, with no one seeing the venture as profitable. 

“I've known for a long time that the company had no future,” he said. 

“It's going to feel strange in March. I do a bit of gardening, but it won't replace cabinetmaking,” he said. 

His store in Bernay (Eure) will remain open until March 10, with all pieces still available on sale at a 30% discount. 

However, the high-quality goods can still cost well over €6,000 even with the discount included. 

“[All the furniture] is characterised by their region of origin, Pays d'Auge, Pays de Bray, or Pays de Caux, for example. And more specifically, by their town of manufacture.”

“We still use old-fashioned equipment like spindle moulders and mortisers. But no high-performance machines.

“These are trades that require expertise. For example, you have to be able to identify cherry, oak, or beech… there aren’t many training programs anymore,” he added, pointing towards a wider trend in the industry.