Abstract: A method for handling and transferring lasts for assemblying shoes, wherein a last is moved so as to trace: a first circular arc, a straight segment which is perpendicular to the first circular arc, and a second circular arc which is perpendicular to the straight segment. The first and second circular arcs belong to two distinct and spatially separate circles. The method uses a plurality of rotating units and is designed so that it can be used both with human operators and with automatic and/or semiautomatic machines. The invention provides total integration of a transfer system with a handling device in. order to achieve production flexibility.