The incredible adventure of the French schoolbag

We love the schoolbag. It's almost part of our heritage. French children go to school with their first schoolbag; it's a rite of passage, a tradition, a must-have!

And yet, the schoolbag has not always existed. There was a time when few French children went to school, the schoolbag then did not exist: schoolchildren carried their meager belongings in a bundle or a satchel.

One day, a certain Jules Ferry, Minister of Education, decided to make school public and free. The number of schoolchildren exploded! This was at the beginning of the 20th ^century. century, the great history of the schoolbag begins.

School is evolving rapidly, and children are carrying more and more equipment. The satchel is no longer suitable and, being far too heavy, it hurts their backs. So, the first school bags reinforced with cardboard or wood appear, but above all, they...  added a pair of straps to carry the bag on both shoulders.

The school satchel, which until now resembled the document holder of adults, made of leather and of great sobriety, suddenly becomes colorful with the colours of brands aimed at children - Poulain, LU - which are making their way into schools.

So, you decorate a schoolbag?! Goodbye advertisements, hello fashion. And in France, we love fashion, we love it!

On the other hand, we don't much like it when our little blond heads, burdened with the weight of science, have back pain. Let's not forget that we're in the 20th ^century. century, this very special century, which moves fast, which pushes back the limits, which even makes men walk on the moon!  This century is creating new materials that are stronger, lighter, and more ergonomic.

The new millennium is approaching, and the schoolbag, barely a century old, is surprisingly relevant and modern. This beloved symbolic object, embodying the importance of access to knowledge for all, and carrying the hopes of adults for their children and for the world of tomorrow, continues to be a staple of the school journey.

At Caramel & cie, it's a true star: its simple, timeless lines exude a disarming chic. Rafaela Garcia lovingly adorns it with bold graphics and contemporary colors. Always designed to help children grow, it's built for ever-greater ergonomics. And because we want a better world, the interior of Caramel & cie school bags is now made from 100% recycled polyester.