MOREL is a family-owned company for four generations, dedicating its expertise to the creation and global distribution of iconic eyewear.
Jules Morel – The Pioneer
In 1880, Jules created his first pince-nez: an activity he pursued part-time, alongside his agricultural work.
Marius Morel – The Industrialist
Passionate and visionary, Marius thought big. In the 1930s, he acquired factories and machinery to produce frames on a large scale.
Jacques Morel – The Businessman
Jacques took over the leadership of the company in the 1960s, supported by his brothers and sisters. A “commercial” generation that would establish the MOREL name worldwide.
Jérôme, Francis & Amélie Morel
MOREL has established itself as a strong brand with creative products, recognized worldwide. A strategic turning point led by Jérôme, Francis, and Amélie.
A heritage engraved on each of our frames
The 5 lines marking the tip of our temples represent each generation of the Morel family since its founding in 1880. The fourth line, uniquely
colored, symbolizes the current generation. The fifth line carries innovation and confidence for the next generation.
Maison Marius Morel
At the heart of our company in Morbier, Haut-Jura, Maison Marius Morel embodies the history and soul of MOREL. Iconic frames, milestones, logos, campaigns, and encounters tell the story of a journey shaped by evolution and innovation: an heritage that has forged MOREL as it is today and that invites us to look to the future and build ever bigger.
A unique story
Territorial anchorage
Since its origins, MOREL has been established in the heart of the historic birthplace of eyewear. In 145 years of history, the headquarters have moved only 20 kilometers! This choice reflects a deep attachment to the Jura region and a strong commitment to preserving exceptional French craftsmanship.
"Établissage" tradition
To live in harmony with nature, the people of the Jura developed a dual expertise, practiced according to the seasons. Farmers during the warm months, they worked with metals to craft frames as soon as the first snow fell…
From "pince-nez" to eyeglasses
Following the tradition of "établissage", Jules Morel crafted his first pince-nez in 1880—a passion that would eventually lead him to eyeglasses.
The cat
In 1957, Jacques Morel (Jules’s grandson) drew inspiration from the great master jewelers and conceived a hallmark to mark our gold-filled frames: a capital ‘M’ topped with a cat’s head. This gesture marked the beginning of the creation of the MOREL logo.
Looking forward since 1880
MOREL is a family-owned company that has been preserving and reinventing eyewear craftsmanship for 145 years, while staying true to its core values and independence.