Timeless Paris: Ateliers Emporiums Savoir Faire

by Marin Montagut, Pierre Musellec (Photographer), Ludovic Balay (Photographer)

Artist and designer Marin Montagut takes readers inside twenty of his favorite quintessentially Parisian locations, seemingly untouched by time, that provide rich creative inspiration.

Discover the studios and shops where artisans hand­craft and sell exquisite items on-site in charming Parisian locations where the skill has been passed on for decades—or centuries—of continuous operation. These often-hidden gems provide unique details that will inspire designers, artists, and creatives of all stripes.

To source the unique elements that can define the character of a room, clients—such as the Metro­politan Museum—have ordered custom decorative curtain tassels from Passementerie Verrier since 1753. A visit to Boiseries Féau can transform even the humblest apartment into a château interior with a restored carved door or elaborate molding. A la Providence and its array of hardware and fittings from every decorative period is a home renovator’s heaven.

For the artist—the finest supplies and the dreamiest ateliers are peppered through the capital. Degas’s graceful dancers were drawn with pigments from the Maison du Pastel, which has hand-rolled a mesmer­izing palette of colors according to their secret trademarked formula since 1720. Fashion designers have chosen from the thousands of hat trimmings, buttons, ribbons, and sumptuous fabrics in stock at Ultramod since 1832.

Revel in the city’s artisanal traditions; this book is a vibrant source of inspiration in twenty quaint, time­less spaces.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books, Design, Art, Paris, Photography

235 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

Marin Montagut est un illustrateur et designer français. Sous sa marque éponyme, il crée des manquent à son quotidien et les met en scène dans sa boutique parisienne. Il est l'auteur de plusieurs ouvrages.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book. I highly recommend it if you have any interest in Paris.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vibrant photos in this book provided nice armchair travel to the ateliers and emporiums of Paris. Each section gave glimpses of the artisanal specialties and traditions. I enjoyed Marin Montagut’s watercolors as both a fresh and nostalgic way of rendering these shops. I learned from Montagut’s introduction that he was detailed in the numerous shades of green used, including Parisian kiosk-green to frame the glass partition in front of his studio.

[Jim Gladstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday shopping can be a hassle, but there’s an altogether different style of commerce—more akin to treasure hunting—at the heart of Marin Montagut’s Timeless Paris: Ateliers, Emporiums, Savoir Faire. Nearly bursting at the spine with colorful photographs, watercolors and collages, this busy visual tour of specialty artisans’ workplaces and showplaces will have you itching to wander the alleys and arcades of the French capital. Unless you’re an artist, designer or decorator, you’d be unlikely to purchase anything at many of the 19 storefronts, workshops and mini-museums featured here, but you’ll nonetheless feel a frisson of delight at the incredibly esoteric craftsmanship on display. Here’s a storied shop where generations of experts have hand rolled custom pastel crayons, colored to meet exacting specifications of their clientele; a vendor of filigreed bronze furniture bling: Drawer-pulls, knobs, and hinges; a maker of curtain tassels and decorative pom-poms in a hundred hues. Montagut himself is both artist and purveyor, with an eponymous boutique where his drawings ornament an array of goods, from porcelain tableware to silk scarves. Never mind window shopping, this is wonder shopping.

[Ena Fleischhacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

just a celebration of the stores that make paris so special

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of photos and illustrations of the author’s favorite 20 ateliers, emporiums, museums, and studios – many of them hidden gems and most of them historical, yet all of them located in Paris. This is the kind of book you just want to curl up with and turn the pages as if you are the one entering each of these unique spaces. Gorgeous color photos compete with collages of various old postcards and other images, while charming watercolor illustrations of art supplies both contemporary and from earlier times are also scattered throughout the book.

You could pick this up when you want to escape to Paris for an hour, or to make notes for places to visit off the beaten path when you actually take your next trip. It would make a lovely gift for a traveler, an artist, or someone who loves learning about hidden treasures in an historic European city.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a feast for the eyes! If you are planning a trip to Paris in the next 12 months, you'll love to view this selection. The author, Marin Montagut, is a shop owner in Paris. His parents were antique dealers and his grandmother an artist. He recommends 19 shops in Paris featuring various design products. His own shop is full of pottery, glassware, table decor and wall enhancements. Other dealers are selling handmade chalk pastels for drawing, various types of thread and tassels for decorating furnishings and drapery, books, taxidermy. furnishings of all types, paints, an apothecary and of course antiques. He gives the address of all shops and shows interior photos of equipment and items for sale. Just lovely.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The timeless elegance of all the shops featured makes me want to visit them all. I love learning about handmade traditions in France. I’ve really developed such a curiosity for France now, and this book has made me even more curious. I do highly recommend and this book is a keepsake that you’ll love

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more than a book—a magic carpet to bygone days and forgotten arts and fine crafts. Grateful to the people who maintain these venues all over Paris, and to Montagut himself for sharing them with us.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book for people who love Paris!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful dreamy book by a talented artist. Love it!

[Jo ✨☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quel beau livre !

[Julia L · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful.

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto carino.
Come sempre Ippocampo fa capolavori.
Un bel mix tra storia e foto dai colori bellissimi.

[Michela Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una lista di luoghi affascinanti che, senza dubbio alcuno, sarà parte del mio prossimo viaggio a Parigi.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious viewing, and a way to learn about old crafts that are fast disappearing from our culture, but of course not from Paris. The photographs are absolutely gorgeous.

[Ari Red Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75 *

In linea generale un libro piacevole ma qualcosa non mi ha completamente soddisfatta, ancora non so cosa di preciso.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and unique celebration of Paris and its old, sometimes centuries old, shops and ateliers. Gorgeous photos and colorful illustrations. For Francophiles or people who enjoy classic design, Parisian style and indulging in travel daydreams. Beautiful and different.

[Sheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

Timeless Paris is a most enchanting and lovely book. I really enjoyed it. I'm sure I will be rereading it many times.