Our story

Fresque murale de la maison Émile Noël retraçant l’histoire familiale

Our story

Famille Émile Noël dégustant l’huile d’olive bio, symbole du savoir-faire familial depuis 1920.

A family-owned

SME

Inspired in 1920 by Monsieur Noël, master miller, and built over nearly 50 years by Emile Noël Jr. , the brand's founder, the story of our oil mill continued under the leadership of the third generation with his daughter Annick Garnier. Now, the fourth generation presides over the family business with Mr. David Garnier , grandson of Emile Noël Jr.

1920

Passionate about the profession of master miller, which he had recently discovered, Sr. Emile Noël decided to purchase an old oil mill in Pont-Saint-Esprit in the Gard region, between Provence and the Cévennes.

Birth of Emile Noël Jr., who grew up lulled by the sound of millstones and enchanted by the scent of olives pressed by the mill.

1929

1956

A natural disaster disrupts local life. The intense frost in March destroys no less than 90% of French olive trees.

To overcome this disaster, Emile Noël decides to turn to the crushing of seeds from the region, such as sunflower and rapeseed, which were spared by the climatic events, and diversifies his product range.

Emile Noël established his oil mill in order to bottle his oils rather than selling them only in bulk, and to distribute them, particularly to what were then known as ‘diet houses’.

1966

1972

Huilerie Emile Noël took a new step that would prove decisive for its future: it became the very first oil mill in France to press organic seeds. Before that date, the concept of ‘organic farming’ did not yet exist.

Emile Noël decides to expand his range of organic oils with new seeds. His pioneering approach to organic farming and the quality and diversity of his traditional virgin oils have earned him the support of eminent health professionals, who recognise Emile Noël products as having nutritional benefits.

1980

1981 à 1989

In 1981, Emile Noël decided to set up a canning factory in partnership with a professional chef. From then on, the range of products bearing the ‘Emile Noël’ brand continued to expand, from ready meals to salad dressings, mustards and southern specialities.

As for the Emile Noël range of organic oils, it really took off in the late 1980s. Emile Noël travelled extensively to find the best raw materials and meet with producers in the field whenever he could.

As distribution networks became increasingly structured, Emile Noël decided to focus exclusively on the specialised organic distribution channel.

Committed to building lasting, sustainable relationships with his producers, Emile Noël established the sesame supply chain in Mali, Africa, at this time in order to guarantee income, quantities and financing for local producers.

1990

2003

After a long presence in Africa and the groundwork already laid, it was only natural that the company obtained Organic Fair Trade certification.

Emile Noël, founder of Huilerie Emile Noël, passed away on 28 September 2011 at the age of 82. A visionary to the end, Emile Noël prepared for the future well in advance, handing over the presidency of the company to his daughter Annick Garnier in 1994 and the general management to his grandson David Garnier in 2007.

2011

2015

David Garnier succeeds his mother Annick as president of Huilerie Emile Noël.

He is the fourth generation of the Noël family and brings a new vision for the company's development.

Emile Noël celebrates his centenary

2020

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