Making bicycle frames in France, using wood from the forests of Charente, in harmony with the environment and through techniques borrowed from the nautical world: that is the bet — and it has paid off — of the Ateliers Gonnel. Guillaume Bolzec, partner in charge of sales and client relations, tells us about this La Rochelle adventure, as demanding as it is elegant.
Hello Guillaume, could you introduce the Ateliers Gonnel in a few words?
Guillaume Bolzec: We make bicycle frames in La Rochelle. We are part of the 0.1% that continues to manufacture frames in France — and on top of that, we add an extra layer of complexity by using wood to build them. For technical purists like us (materials experts), wood makes these bikes more comfortable, more enjoyable, and smoother to ride than their traditional competitors, whose frames are generally made of carbon.
So wood isn't just about aesthetics?
G.B.: No, not at all — even though, in practice, our bikes first surprise people with their look and elegance. But for us, using wood in the frame is primarily about the bike's behaviour, offering an unmatched performance-to-comfort ratio. Wood provides a much more enjoyable riding experience. But our frames aren't made of wood alone — otherwise they would be too comfortable and not light or responsive enough. Our process is a laminated composite, meaning a combination of several materials: wood, structural fibre (carbon and linen) and resin, for a remarkable result: comfortable, responsive, lightweight, durable… and particularly beautiful.
What wood species do you use, and where do they come from?
G.B.: We work with poplar, ash and paulownia. These are species sourced from the forests of Charente, the Marais Poitevin and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The linen fibre comes from crops in Haute-Normandie.
How did this project come about?
G.B.: At the origin, there were three partners. We attended the same engineering school between 2005 and 2010, then reunited in 2023 after a first part of our careers in different industries. I was a business engineer in cybersecurity, but the heart of the project comes from the expertise of my two other partners: Benjamin Boissier, the original founder, worked in watchmaking in Switzerland, then returned to La Rochelle where he was product line director at a high-end cruising trimaran manufacturer. Bruno Merelle was head of production tooling at Airbus.
Between nautical engineering and aeronautics, there is an obvious connection. What does that heritage bring to your bikes in concrete terms?
G.B.: We are engineers in the industrial sense: quality, precision, certification. We bring that highly specialised expertise, drawn from the nautical and aeronautical industries, to allow these bikes — despite the initial challenge of working with wood, a material that is difficult to process and not typically associated with sport — to incorporate new technologies: carbon fibre and resin, through vacuum and moulding processes. Without that background in these cutting-edge industries, the Gonnel bikes could never have reached such a level of refinement.
And why choose to make bicycles?
G.B.: Simply because Benjamin (Boissier, the founder) was surprised that composite materials — multi-layered wood / linen fibre / carbon fibre — long used in boatbuilding, as well as in ski and bow manufacturing, had never been applied to soft mobility. That is now done, and we made sure to file a patent for this one-of-a-kind innovation.
Many people wonder about the durability of wood. Can a Gonnel frame really handle rain, salt and temperature variations?
G.B.: That is the question we hear most often. First, our frames have successfully passed European certification (ISO standard) with a certification laboratory — that is one guarantee. Beyond that, we have tested these bikes in real conditions on demanding races such as Paris-Roubaix and ultra-distance epics like Paris-Brest-Paris (1,200 km) and Paris-Laponie (4,300 km). Durability is a real strength of these bikes, thanks to their composite structure. For surface protection, we apply the same processes as the nautical industry: an epoxy glaze followed by marine varnish. And for clients who want extra reassurance, we mention that Gonnel frames carry a 15-year guarantee.
So the wood can no longer shift over time?
G.B.: The resin used between the layers serves as an adhesive, but also waterproofs the wood, which becomes inert once cured. Ultimately, we stabilise the wood. It remains wood in terms of ecology, appearance and comfort — but it is no longer wood in the organic sense. It no longer swells or moves with changes in pressure, temperature or humidity.
Can people come and try your bikes at your workshop?
G.B.: Yes — I would even say they should. It is part of what we offer: an immersive experience, a technical discovery, a meeting with the makers. Many visitors are not customers, just curious about French craftsmanship. They leave with stars in their eyes, and even when no quote has been signed, we receive messages of thanks and praise. Whether visitors or clients, everyone quickly understands that the Gonnel concept is truly unique in the world.
François Gabart has joined Gonnel's capital — how did that come about?
G.B.: We did a fundraising round a year ago, in which François Gabart took part. He is a genuinely great person: beyond his financial support, he offers us advice. He is an engineer, an entrepreneur, an adventurer, and he is committed to innovations with a positive environmental impact — just like us. There is a real alignment of values. And we are delighted to know he is currently riding his Gonnel in French Polynesia!
What is your long-term ambition?
G.B.: It may sound idealistic, but our goal is to reindustrialise the French bicycle sector. Today, almost all sports bicycle frames in the world are manufactured in Taiwan, for the benefit of Western brands. At our scale, we want to prove that making frames in France is possible — while setting ourselves apart. In the medium term, our ultimate aim is to establish Gonnel as a world reference for exceptional bicycles. That may sound ambitious, but the feedback we receive confirms that this optimism is not unfounded.
Finally, you won't escape our signature question: what is your definition of the art of living?
G.B.: We are fond of the saying that performance need not stand in opposition to pleasure. Just this weekend, at a trade show, a woman who didn't cycle said to me: "It's an object that makes you want things." It makes you want to touch it, hang it on the wall, ride it, show it to people. It brings pleasure and pride, a sense of belonging, and that small feeling of changing the world in your own way.
