Cimalp, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years, has opened its new store in the Rhône-Alpes region. This 400 m2 space is designed to be welcoming and calming for all mountain lovers — a genuine hub for exchange, sitting at the crossroads of passion, advice and shared experience.
Cimalp Store
1500 Av. De Provence, ZA de Laye, 26320 Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm non-stop
Exceptionally open on Sunday 14th and 21st December from 10am to 6pm
Cimalp is going through a remarkable transformation. An expert in mountain clothing and accessories (hiking, mountaineering, trail, trekking, travel, winter sports), the French brand has built its new headquarters named Le Refuge and opened its new store. A significant step forward, reflecting the company's strong growth.
True to the brand's identity, the new store offers a clear window onto Cimalp's values, history and DNA. Its team of passionate, customer-focused outdoor enthusiasts continues to prioritise exchange and advice.
"The old shop had a family feel, was convivial, close to people — and we've managed to keep that spirit in a space twice the size! It's a real privilege to have been able to bring this project to life and to experience this chapter in the company's history. It was important for the brand and for us to reach this milestone. This place reflects who we are, and Cimalp finally has a flagship store worthy of its ambitions", says store manager Rémi Astégiano, who joined the Cimalp rope team 8 years ago.
An immersive atmosphere for a unique experience
Supported by the Lyon-based agency Mission, Cimalp had a dual objective in designing its new store: to better showcase the styles developed by its Research and Development team while offering visitors greater comfort and a clearer, more immersive and experiential journey.
The store space is organised by outdoor activity rather than by gender, as is the case in most shops. There are 4 distinct zones:
- Hiking and mountaineering
- Trail running
- Summer / winter sports
- Trekking and travel
Each zone is mixed (men/women) with a scenography tied to its world: visuals on backlit canvases, wood-printed graphics, immersive screens, props and staging — everything has been designed to immerse visitors in an authentic, natural outdoor atmosphere. Information panels on Cimalp technologies and equipment tips are also dotted throughout the space.
One area also offers a unique real-world experience. "The focus was placed on a key customer need: testing shoes in real conditions. A module simulates uphill and downhill walking — and more importantly, on unstable and rocky terrain with large pebbles and rocks like those you find in the mountains." The brand has also recently decided to develop its footwear range further.
In the short term, the brand plans a "Réparerie" visible to the general public, with the aim of centralising product repair requests so that all repairs can be handled in-house with the right seamstress and equipment. And in the longer term, Cimalp plans to launch an "Innovation Lab" entirely dedicated to sustainability.
Further ambitious CSR projects to promote environmental sustainability and drive innovation — job-creating initiatives close to the heart of Cimalp director Lionel Marsanne.
Cimalp in numbers: 1 e-commerce site in 5 languages | 1 new physical store of 400 m2 | 400 product references | 45 employees | 1 new headquarters of 7,000 m2 including 1,400 m2 of offices and 6,000 m2 of warehouse, on a 35,000 m2 plot.
