François Stimac, Production Manager at Ateliers du Chêne – Saint-Martin-du-Puy

The countryside in his blood

François Stimac recently celebrated his 41st birthday. Of those 41 years, 18 have been spent with Charlois. Despite his relatively young age, he is among those who had the opportunity to work alongside Denis Charlois. He belongs to the long-standing members of the company, for whom human values are a guiding principle—indeed, a way of life. Born in La Celle-sur-Nièvre, François has a deep appreciation for nature, the countryside and, of course, the forest.

Every day, François rises at dawn. While most people are still asleep, he sets off along the winding roads of the Morvan to reach Ateliers du Chêne in Saint-Martin-du-Puy. Nestled in the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, the site is surrounded by forests, hills and lush green valleys, where nature remains almost untouched, stretching along the Narvau Gorges and their waterfalls.

“I feel good here. We feel good here. I’m certainly not the only one who feels that way.”

The Ateliers du Chêne site has recently undergone several changes, both in its layout and in its activities. “Things move, evolve and adapt. We are constantly changing, and that’s one of the things I like about Charlois.”

Having been with the Group for nearly 18 years, François is considered one of its veterans—a status he embraces with pride and, at times, a touch of nostalgia.

And yet…

Was it chance or destiny that led François to Charlois?

“As a teenager, I never imagined that one day I would work for Charlois, even though I grew up only a few kilometres from Murlin. I was raised in the countryside, dividing my time between school, fishing trips, hunting… and swimming, which I practised for many years at regional level.”

Those carefree years were filled with the simple happiness of growing up among fields, forests, rivers and animals. Then came the time to leave the family nest and spread his wings.

François left the Nièvre region and began student life in Dijon, where he enrolled in a two-year laboratory technician programme.

“Things did not turn out exactly as I had imagined, but they were wonderful years nonetheless. I may not have graduated, but I came away with countless memories. It was the school of life.”

He then returned home and started looking for work.

“There was no question of staying at home with my parents and doing nothing. That’s simply not who I am—and I know a few people who wouldn’t have tolerated that situation for very long either.”

When the phone rings…

It wasn’t a phone-a-friend lifeline, but rather a call from a friend—a long-time friend of the Stimac family—that would change François’s summer.

“They’re hiring at Berthomieu. Would you like to give it a try?”

“I accepted straight away. I started on Monday morning, in September 2007. I’ve never left the Group since. Every day, I learned a little more about wood and about oak. People taught me, passed on their knowledge, and it genuinely interested me. Whatever the job may be, if you’re interested in what you do, you improve, you want to learn more and simply understand how things work.”

François’s first position was at the cooperage, fitting chestnut hoops during the finishing stage.

“It wasn’t the easiest job, but it certainly wasn’t the most difficult either. During the year I spent at Berthomieu Cooperage, I worked at every station except firing and repair. Those tasks require a real cooper’s expertise, and that’s not something you can master in just one year.”

The Call of Murlin

With a contract in hand, François joined the stave mill in Murlin after spending a year at Berthomieu Cooperage.

“I was fortunate to be trained by people like Tito, who is still with the company today, by Patrick Donzé, whom I greatly enjoyed working with, and by Jérémy Manias as well. Above all, I was lucky enough to receive a few edging tips from Denis Charlois himself. I remember those moments as if they were yesterday.”

Once again, François appreciated the versatility of the work, as well as the patience it required.

“Even though things can move very quickly at Charlois, you still have to prove yourself. You have to show what you’re capable of and demonstrate your commitment. Once you do, the rest follows naturally.”

Nine years followed in the stave mill, working primarily in edging, with some sawing and splitting as well, allowing him to deepen his knowledge of oak before eventually passing that expertise on to others.

His journey then took him from Berthomieu Cooperage to Maison Charlois, and later to Ateliers du Chêne, a little farther from his home region.

“I was offered the opportunity to take on greater responsibilities. That’s not something you turn down. It’s a sign of trust and recognition for the work accomplished over the previous years. It’s also a chance to discover something new—different aspects of oak, different people and different places. It was a new challenge, and I need that. Otherwise, I get bored. With the arrival of new activities and the ongoing developments at the Saint-Martin-du-Puy site, things are constantly evolving, and that’s exactly what I enjoy. No two days are ever the same.”

Three Questions for François Stimac

This September 2026 marks your 19th year with Charlois, which remains, to this day, the only company you have ever worked for. That is quite rare nowadays.

That’s true. I started working for Charlois at Berthomieu-Ermitage Cooperage in La Charité. I knew absolutely nothing about the trade or the industry; all I wanted was a job. After failing my BTS diploma, I was wondering what I was going to do with my life, and I know someone who certainly wouldn’t have tolerated seeing me stay at home without working.

To be completely honest, it was the first job I was offered, and I jumped at the opportunity. It could have been almost any job—I would have taken it. I think I was ready for anything. As it turns out, I landed in the right place. The proof is that, eighteen years later, I’m still here.

Looking back, how do you view these eighteen years?

For a guy who failed his BTS diploma, I think I’ve done pretty well. More seriously, I’m proud of the journey I’ve made so far. I enjoy the work I do, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting some remarkable people along the way.

They taught me the trade, shared their knowledge, and embodied values that are important to me. I’m thinking of Denis Charlois and his wise advice, Pat’ Donzé, my mentor, Tito, who taught me everything I know about edging, Jérémy, and more broadly all those I’ve had the chance to work with in the past and those I continue to work alongside today.

You come from a rural background, and the countryside and nature are deeply rooted in who you are.

Absolutely. I’m a countryman, and I’m proud of it. I’ve been hunting for as long as I can remember, practically since I could walk. I enjoy fishing, mushroom picking, cutting my own firewood… To me, this way of life is unmatched, and it’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy travelling and discovering other regions and countries. But I’m deeply attached to the Nièvre and the quality of life it offers.

There is one thing my professional life and my personal life have in common: authenticity.

Photograph © Christophe Deschanel