Maugein

Maugein is a French accordion manufacturing company founded in 1919 in Tulle, Corrèze, by brothers Jean, Antoine and Robert Maugein. The firm produces diatonic and chromatic accordions using artisanal methods, and has supplied high-end instruments to famous artists and groups such as Indochine, Renaud, Bourvil, Blankass, Les Primitifs du futur, André Verchuren, Jo Sony and Jean Ségurel. It has held the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant (Living Heritage Company) label since 2009 and is also certified Facteurs et Luthiers de France and Origine Corrèze. The company faced financial difficulties, entering redressement judiciaire in December 2013 and being taken over in February 2014 with the support of about a dozen shareholders including footballer Laurent Koscielny. It was placed in liquidation judiciaire on 27 September 2024, but a takeover project led by a former employee was validated by the commercial court in December 2024, and the workshop reopened in March 2025. In addition to accordions, Maugein has expanded its range to include the Maujo, a 10-hole diatonic harmonica launched in October 2022, and a cajón introduced in November 2023. The company's heritage is celebrated at the Cité de l'accordéon et des patrimoines de Tulle, opened in April 2024.

Maugein was founded in 1919 by Jean Maugein, a piano tuner who had previously worked at the competing Dedenis factory in Brive-la-Gaillarde. Joined by his brothers Antoine and Robert, Jean transformed his workshop into a company called "Maugein Frères," which moved into spacious premises in 1924. A new factory was built between 1937 and 1939 on rue d'Arsonval, at which time the company employed 150 workers. Activity was disrupted by the war but resumed after the Liberation, despite increasing international competition and the decline of the accordion in musical fashion. A generational change occurred with Georges, son of Antoine Maugein, who led the company until his death in 1977. The company supplied high-end instruments to famous groups and artists such as Indochine, Renaud, Bourvil, Blankass, Les Primitifs du futur, André Verchuren, Jo Sony and Jean Ségurel. In 2012, the manager René Lachèze, great-grand-nephew of one of the founders, wished to retire, and a takeover by employees controlling 40% of the capital of a cooperative society of collective interest was considered. On Friday 6 December 2013, Maugein was placed in redressement judiciaire by the commercial court of Brive, with continued activity. A six-month period opened during which a takeover offer could be submitted. Thanks to the financial support of about a dozen shareholders including footballer Laurent Koscielny, a native of Tulle, the company was taken over on 14 February 2014 by a new team at the court's bar; 11 of 17 jobs were preserved. Since October 2022, Maugein has manufactured and marketed a new 10-hole diatonic harmonica, the Maujo, with stainless steel reeds, reed plates and screws, and a walnut comb and covers from the region. Since November 2023, it has made a cajón, a Peruvian-origin instrument that complements the manufacture's range. Weakened by Chinese competition and the effects of the Covid health crisis, the company was placed in liquidation in September 2024, employing 10 salaried workers at the time. In January 2025, the commercial court of Brive validated a takeover project led by a former employee. The manufacture restarted in March 2025. Since April 2024, the accordion heritage has been showcased in Tulle with the opening of the Cité de l'accordéon et des patrimoines de Tulle, which highlights three heritages of the city: the accordion, the arms manufacture and lace.

• 2025

  Takeover project validated in January; manufacture restarts in March.

• 2024

  Placed in liquidation judiciaire on 27 September; Cité de l'accordéon et des patrimoines de Tulle opens in April.

• 2023

  Addition of a cajón to the product range in November.

• 2022

  Launch of the Maujo 10-hole diatonic harmonica in October.

• 2014

  Taken over on 14 February by a new team; 11 of 17 jobs preserved.

• 2013

  Placed in redressement judiciaire by the commercial court of Brive on 6 December.

• 2009

  Awarded the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label.

• 1977

  Death of Georges Maugein, who had led the company.

• 1937

  Construction of a new factory on rue d'Arsonval begins (completed 1939).

• 1924

  Company "Maugein Frères" moves into spacious premises.

• 1919

  Founded in Tulle by Jean Maugein, joined by brothers Antoine and Robert.

Artisanal, high-end accordion manufacturer with a heritage label, targeting professional musicians and enthusiasts.

• Diatonic accordions

  Custom-made or stock, with various row configurations (2, 2+2, 2.5, 3 rows), painted or unpainted, including mixed models.

• Chromatic accordions

  Study, musette, swing "Manouche", Ségurel, classical or traditional, with 1 to 4 voices.

• Maujo harmonica

  10-hole diatonic harmonica with stainless steel reeds, reed plates and screws, and walnut comb and covers from the region.

• Cajón

  Peruvian-origin percussion instrument added to the range in November 2023.

1. 1Accordéons Maugeinaccordeons-maugein.com
2. 2Maugeinfr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Maugeinwikidata.org