new life for the historic city of “Bataville”

In the middle of the Lorraine countryside, an almost abandoned industrial complex. On the portal, the “B” of Bata, an iconic shoe brand for over 70 years. The Bataville site had up to 2,500 employees at peak times. But victim of global competition, it saw its workforce decrease, and Bata closed its doors in 2001. Three companies have been established on the site since the closure, as well as a second-hand goods dealer. In total, less than forty people work there.

Old and new generation

Many are former Bata workers, like Maryline Meisse, now a part-time employee in one of the three companies. “I worked at Bata for 30 years and now I’ve been working there for a while. I’m retired but it gives me a plus, because when I see what they give me after 44 years of work…”she laments.

A “Bata” life, between the factory and the city where she lived for 30 years. A kind of ideal city wanted by the brand, which provided its employees with modern housing for the time, schools, shops and even a swimming pool. Today, in the city, old and new try to live together. The schools built by Bata have closed some classes, but they continue to welcome all the children of the canton. Three businesses have opened in recent years.