Christofle, a brilliant story

from 14 November 2024 to 20 April 2025

The Musée des Arts décoratifs presents a major exhibition on the Maison Christofle, showing how, from its foundation in the 1830s to the present day, this line of talented goldsmiths, begun by Charles Christofle (1805-1863) and Henri Bouilhet (1830-1910), transformed the lines and decorations of silverware, allowing it to become a feature of daily life. Through an immersive and magical exhibition, this large retrospective features a selection of over six hundred pieces of gold and silverwork, paintings, drawings, and posters, from the Bouilhet-Christofle Collection and other major national collections. The first exhibition of this scale, it has been organized by the Musée des Arts décoratifs, which has always maintained close links with the Maison Christofle, recognized as part of France’s tangible heritage since the second half of the 19th century.

• Individual tickets
• Self-guided groups

Tickets

Online booking strongly recommended for tours on Saturdays and Sundays

Estimated duration of the visit: 2h

Information

Musée des Arts Décoratifs
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
France
Phone: +33 (0)1 44 55 57 50


#Expo_Christofle

Download the brochure for the exhibition “Christofle. A Brilliant Story”
Download (3.1 MiB)

• Access
• Opening Hours and Admission Fees

Curator
• Audrey GAY-MAZUEL, Heritage Curator, Historical Collection

Presentation
Christofle, goldsmith, Émile Reiber 1826-1893, Vase, Paris, circa 1874
Christofle, goldsmith, Émile Reiber 1826-1893, Vase, Paris, circa 1874
Vase — Christofle, goldsmith Paris, circa 1874 Émile Reiber 1826-1893 Gilded and patinated bronze, cloisonné enamel
© Les Arts Décoratifs / Jean Tholance

The Musée des Arts décoratifs presents a major exhibition on the Maison Christofle, showing how, from its foundation in the 1830s to the present day, this line of talented goldsmiths, begun by Charles Christofle (1805-1863) and Henri Bouilhet (1830-1910), transformed the lines and decorations of silverware, allowing it to become a feature of daily life. Through an immersive and magical exhibition, this large retrospective features a selection of over six hundred pieces of gold and silverwork, paintings, drawings, and posters, from the Bouilhet-Christofle Collection and other major national collections. The first exhibition of this scale, it has been organized by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which has always maintained close links with the Maison Christofle, recognized as part of France’s tangible heritage since the second half of the 19th century.

From small spoons to large vases, as well as monumental pieces of furniture created for world fairs, this exhibit reveals forgotten aspects of the work of the Maison Christofle to visitors. The Maison exploited the full potential of metal to create works of all dimensions, typologies, and colours, combining silver, gold, enamels, and patinas. Throughout the different gallery spaces, visitors are invited to go behind the scenes of creation where the secrets of this remarkable expertise are revealed. Tableware, laid out in both intimate and majestic settings, also brings to life, thanks to a resolutely contemporary scenography, the splendour of the legendary restaurants and palaces like the Ritz, iconic trains, liners, and planes like the Orient Express, the Normandie and the Concorde, as well as places of political power, all supplied by Christofle, considered an ambassador of luxury and the French art de vivre both in France and abroad.

Christofle, goldsmith, Ramdane Touhami, {Objet Miroir} (Mirror Object) Coffee cup, Paris, 2022
Christofle, goldsmith, Ramdane Touhami, Objet Miroir (Mirror Object) Coffee cup, Paris, 2022
Silver-plated metal
© Christofle

Today, always in search of innovation, the Maison Christofle is present in our daily lives, transforming the most ordinary objects into design pieces: video game consoles, coffee cups, and sneaker boxes. For almost two hundred years, Christofle has worked with some of the greatest creators, like Luc Lanel, Gio Ponti, Andrée Putman, and Karl Lagerfeld, to revolutionize traditional goldsmithery. Finally, this exhibition may be said to show the long history of the decorative arts as seen through the prism of goldsmithery: from historicism to Japanism, Art Nouveau to Art Deco, as well as 1950s’ design to today’s highly contemporary creations.

The exhibition is presented in the Christine & Stephen A. Schwarzman fashion galleries.

Activities for adults, children and families

Guided tours and workshop are available in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

Individual ADULTES

Adultes Guided Tour (15 ans et +)
Christofle
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs presents a major exhibition on the Christofle goldsmiths, showing how, from its foundation in the 1830s to the present day, this line of genius goldsmiths, initiated by Charles Christofle (1805-1863) and Henri Bouilhet (1830-1910), has transformed the lines and decorations of silver to bring them into everyday life. From room to room, let yourself be guided by the lecturer, who will help you discover the richness of the exhibition.

DURATION: 1H30

Individual CHILDREN AND FAMILY

Workshop 4-6 years old/ 7-10 years old/ in family (4 years old and +)
Christofle
This workshop invites children to discover how Christofle cutlery is made and decorated. In the exhibition, they can draw the shapes and motifs of the objects on display, and then design their own engraved metal spoon or fork in the workshop.

DURATION: 2H

INFORMATION

You can contact the public service Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm:
• by phone: 01 44 55 59 75
• by e-mail: billetterie@madparis.fr

All correspondence should be addressed to Service des Publics, Les Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.


Discover the other activities offered by the Public Services department

Activities for groups

Guided tours and workshop are available in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

ADULTES GROUPS

Guided Tour – 1h30 / 15 years old and +
Christofle, a brillant story

The tour guide takes visitors behind the scenes of Christofle’s creations. From cutlery to monumental pieces, from silver and gold to enamels and patinas, the secrets of the workshop and the craftsmen’s skills of excellence are revealed. The presentation of tables set in prestigious locations also highlights Christofle’s role as an ambassador for French luxury and the art of living, both in France and abroad.

EDUCATION GROUPS

Guided Tour – 1h30 / À partir du CP
Christofle, a brilliant story

The tour guide takes visitors behind the scenes of Christofle’s creations. From cutlery to monumental pieces, from silver and gold to enamels and patinas, the secrets of the workshop and the craftsmen’s skills of excellence are revealed. The presentation of tables set in prestigious locations also highlights Christofle’s role as an ambassador for French luxury and the art of living, both in France and abroad.


Workshop - 2h / Primary School
À la belle fourchette !

This workshop invites children to discover how Christofle cutlery is made and decorated. In the exhibition, they can draw the shapes and motifs of the objects on display, and then design their own engraved metal spoon or fork in the workshop.


Workshop - 2h / Middle and High School
A beautifully set table!

Following in the designer’s footsteps, from drawing to experimenting with the decorative properties of metal, each person creates a research notebook around the shapes and decorations of the objects to design a decoration to be placed at the center of the table!

INFORMATION / Réservation

Schedules for group visits and activities:
• Youth (scholar and leisure): Tuesday to Friday from 10 am
• Social sector et handicap : Tuesday to Friday from 10 am
• Adults : Tuesday to Friday from 11 am

You can contact the public service Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm:
• by phone: +33(0)1 44 55 57 66
• by email: reservation@madparis.fr

All correspondence should be addressed to Service des Publics, Les Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Pre-booking form Young leisure and school groups
Download (54.8 KiB)
Pre-booking form for adult and company
Download (54.4 KiB)
Pre-booking form for adult association
Download (54.7 KiB)

Please send the completed pre-reservation form to reservation@madparis.fr.

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