Mousses Étoiles Featured in the Pages of *La Provence*

Since 1992, our workshops in Barbentane, in the south of France, have been designing and manufacturing high-end outdoor furniture, crafted to withstand the demands of professionals in the hospitality and restaurant industries and at private beaches, as well as private individuals seeking durable, “Made in France” products.

This coverage by the regional press highlights more than 30 years of commitment:

  • 100% French manufacturing in the heart of our region, ensuring rigorous quality control at every stage of production.
  • Durable technical materials, designed to withstand sun, wind, and humidity without compromising on comfort or appearance.
  • Handcrafted, custom-made pieces, from our iconic outdoor mattresses to our professional umbrellas and daybeds.

Seeing our work, our teams, and our commitments featured in a leading media outlet in the South is a source of pride we share with everyone who has placed their trust in us since our beginnings.


The article:

This is the story of an invention born in the face of the mistral wind, of a close-knit family that rejects industrialization and promotes the “Made in Provence” label.

In Barbantane, the low-key family business has been going strong for 34 years: Mousses Étoiles, a company specializing in umbrellas, cushions, and outdoor furniture, founded in 1992 by Gilbert Lepoutre and his son Laurent. Laurent now works alongside his wife, Pascale, his two sons, Valentin and Tom, and his godson, Maxence. The team is also bolstered by two seamstresses who were trained in-house, as well as a welder with many years of experience. Here, the family aspect isn’t just a selling point—it’s a philosophy. “We don’t want to be a multinational corporation with hundreds of anonymous employees,” the brothers say. “What matters to us is maintaining this human scale; we want customers to feel like they’re dealing with a family, not a machine.”

An iconic umbrella.

Yet their order book is full, with clients ranging from prestigious automotive brands to champagne houses and the international hotel industry. The turning point came from a setup that withstood the mistral. “At first, we were resellers, but after repeatedly delivering umbrellas that broke at the first gust of wind, I decided to develop our own system,” recalls Laurent. “A product designed to last, capable of withstanding the strongest winds.” That’s how their iconic umbrella was born, featuring a rust-proof stainless steel pole, reinforced aluminum ribs, and a solid-cast aluminum hub.

Projects Around the World

Today, they are the only manufacturers of furniture and umbrellas in the region. This expertise is rooted in their metalwork. “Iron and Craftsmanship,” where metal comes to life to create everything from furniture structures to railings and staircases. Despite projects in Dubai, Monaco, Vietnam, and the Caribbean, everything originates from the Barbantane workshop—a sense of closeness that extends to their customer service.

Whether they’re exhibiting at the Maison & Objet trade show in Paris or at the beach fair in Montpellier, their philosophy remains the same: the customer comes in with a project—often after having tested a product’s durability on a paradise beach or in a majestic hotel—and leaves with a one-of-a-kind piece, validated in 3D and crafted by expert hands. And when asked if working as a family isn’t too difficult, their answer comes quickly: “On the contrary, it’s our strength,” joke the brothers, who are deeply attached to their Provençal roots.

A big thank you to the editorial team at La Provence—and especially to Louna Segui Lunain—for shining a spotlight on our craftsmanship and our magnificent village of Barbentane, and above all to our clients, partners, and colleagues, without whom this story wouldn’t be written every day.