JEUJURA, a family story…
Jeujura is a family business that has been around for over a century, and it still carries on the long tradition of woodworking today.
Creating worlds of imagination since 1911, Jeujura is one of the last wooden toy makers whose production has always stayed in France.
1911
The story began in 1911, when Henri Liégeon opened his first workshop in Champagnole, in the Jura. At the time, production focused on turned wood and traditional woodenware: wooden coat racks, “bamboo” mirrors, tool handles, deckchairs and folding seats…
In 1931, Henri Liégeon handed over the management of the company to his son, Bernard Liégeon. He soon turned to making wooden games and toys. Among his creations were the “COFFRET 4 JEUX”, a box set of four classic games (ludo, the game of the goose, draughts and nine men’s morris), and the “TABLEAU BOULIER”, an abacus board.
1941
Inspired by the sturdy charm of the chalets dotted across the region’s mountains, Bernard Liégeon came up with a brand-new kind of construction set in 1941:
the famous “MAISON FORESTIERE” (forest lodge) and “CHALET SUISSE” (Swiss chalet) were born. Made of notched beech pieces, they could be assembled into many different houses. The “JEUJURA” trademark was registered in 1948.
1971
In 1971, Jean Liégeon took over from his father as head of the company. This period marked the start of the Jeujura brand’s presence across all retail channels, in France and abroad.
The product range grew quickly: Jeujura offered a very wide selection of wooden games and toys, while continuing to innovate with new themes for its range of houses to build.
1980
In 1980, the company moved into its own premises in Saint-Germain-en-Montagne, a small Jura village not far from where it all began. It created new pack concepts and developed new themes to expand its range of construction sets.
That same year, new themes appeared: the first Farms and the famous Far West!
Boards, board games and building blocks also took on bright colours, and Jeujura’s ranges became part of the childhood memories of young and old alike…
1990
In 1990, Catherine VARACCA, the founder’s great-granddaughter, took over the management of the company. Together with her brother Frédéric LIEGEON, she continues to follow the path laid out by her family, promoting this century-old brand.
Keeping production in France has always been a priority. From the early 1990s, production became more industrial, with major investment in machinery to keep manufacturing highly efficient. The premises were extended in the late 1990s. The company has done everything it can to ensure that wooden toys from the Jura remain truly French-made today.
2011
In 2011, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, it brought back its iconic wooden Chalet in a beautiful numbered wooden box.
2006
In 2006, Jeujura was acquired by the Weisbuch family.
Catherine VARACCA and Frédéric LIEGEON, the founder’s great-grandchildren, continue to run the company.
2012
In 2012, in recognition of its outstanding craftsmanship,
Jeujura was awarded the prestigious “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company) label, granted by the French State to companies with exceptional traditional skills.
2012 was also the year JEUJURA joined forces with two other iconic French toy companies with complementary activities: VILAC (also founded in 1911 and specialising in wood turning and lacquering, Vilac is a leader in traditional lacquered wooden toys) and PETITCOLLIN (founded in 1860, it is both the oldest and the last French maker of dolls and baby dolls).
2021
2021 marked the company’s 110th anniversary, and it was crowned by a wonderful honour:
The “Chalet en Bois”, JEUJURA’s iconic wooden chalet, was chosen to represent the JURA department at the “Grande Exposition du Fabriqué en France” (Great Exhibition of French-Made Products), held at the Élysée Palace on 3 and 4 July 2021.
2026
A new chapter in Jeujura’s history
Jeujura strengthens its commitment to French wood and Jura craftsmanship:
Since its founding, Jeujura has carried on the tradition of wooden toy making, deeply rooted in the heritage and craftsmanship of the Jura.
Today, the company is taking a new step forward by obtaining three certifications and labels: PEFC, BOIS DE FRANCE and the Protected Geographical Indication “Tournerie et Tabletterie du massif du Jura”.
These distinctions recognise our commitment to responsible forest management, to promoting French wood and to preserving local craftsmanship.
CERTIFICAT N°IGPIA-151
- PEFC: this certification helps guarantee the traceability of certified wood supplies and promotes sustainable forest management, in line with the requirements of the standard.
- BOIS DE FRANCE: this label promotes the use of wood from French forests and its processing in France, in accordance with its standard.
- PGI Tournerie et Tabletterie du massif du Jura: this official geographical indication recognises and protects a long-standing wood-processing craft closely linked to the Jura region.
Beyond these labels, this approach reflects our determination to keep an industrial and craft heritage alive, to make the most of our region's resources and skills, and to pass our expertise on to future generations.
True to its Jura roots, Jeujura continues its story by combining tradition, responsibility and commitment to the future.