Leather and Yachts: artisanal expertise serving the blue economy

Can you tell us about your business and positioning?

I am a leather restorer specializing in yachts. In March 2025, I invested in the business of Alain Godefroy, a craftsman based in Nice for 20 years.

Leather restoration for yachts lies somewhere between cleaning and complete replacement: it preserves the original material while restoring it to an almost new appearance. It is a highly manual, artisanal skill — even artistic in the creation of shades. Every intervention is carried out directly onboard, as close as possible to the client’s needs, ensuring responsiveness and precision.

I mainly work on yachts over 30 meters. These are the ones with the largest volumes of leather to restore, where expectations in terms of finish fully justify this type of service.

Restoration is less costly, avoids the production of new materials, and limits waste generation. I use water-based products, which take longer to apply but are far less aggressive and much more environmentally friendly. They also make it possible to work without disrupting life onboard: occupants can remain on the yacht without discomfort or inconvenience.

Why did you choose to develop your business in the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis?

I come from the Hauts-de-France region, and for the past eight years I had been dividing my time between there and the French Riviera. I was therefore already familiar with Nice and the Côte d’Azur before deciding to invest in a business here.

When the opportunity arose to take over a well-established local business, it felt natural. Operating in a region I know well is an advantage, especially as I was changing sectors and taking on a high value-added artisanal activity.

I was convinced by the density of the local ecosystem, rich in initiatives and expertise.

How were you supported in your decision to invest?

My arrival was facilitated by two key local players. The support of Team Nice Côte d’Azur was decisive in structuring my contacts, identifying the right stakeholders, and showcasing my know-how.

At the same time, the Riviera Yachting Network quickly connected me with companies specializing in services for large yachts. Thanks to these two actors, I saved several months of prospecting.

Today, I am seeking to build relationships with shipyards and management companies to enable them to integrate my services into their offerings. The idea is for leather restoration to be seen as a high value-added service that can be part of comprehensive proposals aligned with the industry’s requirements.

What role did the Nice Ocean Business Forum play in your integration?

The Nice Ocean Business Forum acted as an accelerator. In just a few days, I met a wide range of stakeholders from the economic, institutional, and association sectors. This kind of forum is valuable for the blue economy: it helps break isolation, provides a better understanding of ongoing dynamics, and lays the foundation for future collaborations.

It was at this event that I began concrete discussions on eco-design and material reuse projects. I fully intend to continue participating in such initiatives, which give artisans like me real visibility and the opportunity to contribute to a more coherent and circular blue economy.

What are your priorities for developing the business?

This first year is deliberately dedicated to observation, learning, and network building. I want to preserve the artisanal dimension of my craft, as this is where its value lies.

On the innovation side, I am in discussions with ecological transition players on material reuse and new approaches, including digital tools.

Some ideas are emerging around flow management solutions or resource optimization, in collaboration with other local companies. This is still under development, but I am convinced that smart, low-impact solutions can emerge in this field.

Contact :

Jean-Pascal Decherf, CEO of Leather and Yachts

Website: https://leatherandyachts.com/

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Business Set-Up & Investments Nice Côte d’Azur