Cabinet d’Archetiers – Experts Jean-François Raffin

Jean-François Raffin (b. 1947)

Jean-François Raffin completed his violin-making apprenticeship in Mirecourt before joining Etienne Vatelot’s Parisian workshop. In Paris, Raffin discovered his passion for bow-making and began working for Bernard Millant. He went on to open his own atelier in 1989, although he still collaborated with his mentor. Together, Raffin and Millant authored L’archet, the premier guide to French bow-making.

Currently, Raffin runs an independent consulting practice, “Cabinet d’Archetiers Experts Jean-François Raffin,” in the rue de Constantinople in Paris. Working with two up-and-coming archetiers, Yannick Le Canu and Sylvain Bigot, Raffin shares his expertise to ensure that the craft of French archeterie lives on.

Yannick Le Canu (b. 1975)

Yannick Le Canu studied bow-making in the Le Canu-Millant atelier. His style of bow-making and restoration combines the best of modern and historical masters. The excellence of Le Canu’s output has been recognized with five gold models in international bow-making competitions and the title “un des Meilleurs Ouvrier de France (One of the Best Workers of France)” in 2007.

In 2011, Le Canu became a partner in Jean-François Raffin’s consulting practice, “Cabinet d’Archetiers Experts Jean-François Raffin,” to help other archetiers refine their approach to bow-making.

Sylvain Bigot (b. 1971)

Sylvain Bigot studied at Mirecourt’s Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume International Violin-Making School; however, after graduation, he developed a passion for bow-making. Bigot apprenticed under Jean-François Raffin before opening his own workshop in Lyon in 2002.

Bigot is recognized as one of the world’s best bow restorers. His work earned a silver medal in Paris in 1999, and he earned the title of “un des Meilleurs Ouvrier de France (One of the Best Workers of France)” in 2011. That same year, he joined Jean-François Raffin’s consulting practice, “Cabinet d’Archetiers Experts Jean-François Raffin,” as a partner.