My Quest for an Antique Mantel

During my last Paris Apartment update, I hinted at a story about how I found my beautiful marble mantel and promised to share the details of my quest. Well, here it is!

Marble mantels are a quintessential feature of historic Parisian apartments. They come in many shades and colors, with the most common being black, red, brown, and white, each showcasing unique contrasts in the marble's veining.

A French Antique Mecca

When I began antique hunting for beautiful pieces for the apartment, one of my first stops was Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. If you’ve ever dreamed of antiquing in Paris, you’ve likely heard of this magical place! Located just outside of Paris near the airport, it's a dream come true for antique lovers. Les Puces is home to some of the best antique collectors and markets. I will say it can be pricier than your typical street fair, but it’s definitely a must if you travel to the city, even if only to wander and admire the incredible selection of items.

Galerie Marc Maison

In this wonderful neighborhood lies a very special shop: Galerie Marc Maison, which specializes in collecting architectural antiques and fireplace mantels from the 17th to 20th century. When we started looking for a mantel for our new apartment, I knew we had to look there first.

If you ever have the chance, it’s worth a visit. When you first walk in, you’re greeted by mantels that look like they've come straight out of Versailles. After marveling at the ornate pieces upstairs, you’ll notice a small staircase at the back of the shop. Descending these steps, you'll find yourself in a basement filled with an endless array of mantels in various styles, sizes and colors. Each piece tells a story of its original place and time, from periods spanning from Louis XIII to Empire, Napoleon III to Art Nouveau.  

La Pièce de Résistance

My husband and I spent hours there with the lovely shopkeeper Daisy, searching for the perfect one, and trust me, it wasn’t an easy task. Once we made our selection – a Louis XVI style in white Carrara marble – they actually came to the apartment to install it for us. Because it fits so well with the other architectural details, he jokes we probably bought the same mantel they had originally removed from our apartment!

Before

After

If you’re in the market for a mantel of your own, or simply want to marvel at a stunning collection, I highly recommend stopping by Marc Maison. And if you do, tell Daisy I say bonjour!

XOXO,
Sandra

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