Since 1898, Le Tanneur has made leather tote bags and shoulder bags for women, from the office to the weekend. Every hide comes from a tannery certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG). A tote carries a full day's essentials in one open shape; a shoulder bag sits closer to the body, in a smaller, more structured form.
Full-Grain Leather
Our tote bags and shoulder bags for women are made from full-grain leather, the top layer of the hide, left intact rather than sanded or corrected. It ages into a patina rather than wearing out. All of our leather comes from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), an audit that covers environmental and social standards in tanning.
Tote or Shoulder Bag: Two Different Shapes
The Elena tote is built for volume, with an open top and room for a laptop up to 14 inches. Hortense, made in France, offers a structured shoulder tote in double-face grained leather, between the two shapes. Emie comes in a closer, shoulder-worn silhouette, sized from everyday to a larger, work-ready format. Some Juliette styles can also be worn on the shoulder, as an alternative to their usual crossbody carry.
Built for Everyday Carry
Straps are adjustable, and on several models, detachable. Some bags come with two straps, one adjustable and one fixed, meant to be used separately rather than together. Handles and straps are stitched to hold their shape, while the leather itself softens with wear.
Made in France, and Beyond
Hortense is made in France, in our workshops in the Val-de-Loire. Other lines, including Elena, are made by partner workshops in India that we have worked with for more than 40 years, trained in the same leathercraft standards. Every workshop we work with, in France or abroad, follows the same ethical charter.
Questions & Answers
How much does a Le Tanneur tote or shoulder bag weigh?
It depends on the size. The Emie maxi shoulder bag weighs about 900g, and the Emie extra large weighs about 1.2kg.
Will a laptop fit inside?
It depends on the model. The Emie extra large has a zippered section sized for a 15-inch laptop. The Elena tote is sized for laptops up to 14 inches; larger devices are not guaranteed to fit, depending on their thickness.
How do I attach the shoulder strap?
Straps attach with a snap-button assembly: the button opens and closes from the side, and the hole is sized to match the button stem so it stays secure. It can feel stiff the first few times, since the leather needs to relax with use.
What's the difference between a tote and a shoulder bag?
A tote is a large, open bag built for volume and everyday use. A shoulder bag is a smaller, more structured shape, worn close to the body on the shoulder rather than carried by hand.
Where are Le Tanneur's tote bags made?
It depends on the line. Hortense is made in France, in our workshops in the Val-de-Loire. Other lines, like Elena, are made by partner workshops in India that we've worked with for more than 40 years.
Are Le Tanneur's tanneries certified?
Yes. Le Tanneur sources its leather from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), which audits environmental and social standards in the tanning process.
