The Bérard name is German in origin. Very common in the Alps, it means solitary, alpine, and bear. Very early on, the Bérard family left the mountains and moved to Lower Burgundy. The first Lord of Beaujeu, in 957, was called Bérard. In 1078, the the priest of Savigny in the Lyons area also bore the same name. Several generations followed until Victor was born in 1874. During his career, Victor was awarded the Légion d’Honneur for his work in the Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Traders, which he chaired. When he died in 1938, he left behind him a respected company, which thenceforth bore the name of V. Bérard et fils. The company was one of the first in France to supply wine in bottles instead of barrels.