EMPREINTES: a concept store dedicated to arts and crafts in the Marais district
EMPREINTES, the must-visit concept store in Paris’s Haut Marais district, focuses exclusively on French artisanal creation. Conceived and created by Ateliers d’Art de France in 2016, this unique venue highlights the excellence of fine craftsmanship. Here you’ll find a selection of one-of-a-kind pieces and small series crafted by artisans with the finest skills.
A place dedicated to art and emotion
Located at 5, rue de Picardie, EMPREINTES covers 600 m², spread over three floors bathed in light. More than 1,000 unique creations are on display. From home decor to tableware, furniture, lighting, jewelry and fashion accessories, the concept store offers a vast range of objects that combine functionality and emotion.
Unlike standardized retail outlets, EMPREINTES invites visitors to a unique experience. Each object tells a story, a gesture, and a passion for the material. The store offers an alternative to over-consumption, highlighting objects designed to last and be passed on.
The values of Ateliers d’Art de France
Created by Ateliers d’Art de France, the professional union for the art trades, which brings together over 6,000 professionals (ceramists, glassblowers, cabinetmakers, goldsmiths, featherworkers, etc.), EMPREINTES embodies the values of transmission, durability and respect for materials. Founded over 150 years ago, the union defends 281 art crafts in France and abroad. These artisans perpetuate traditional skills while innovating to meet contemporary challenges.
The creations presented by EMPREINTES comply with strict criteria. They are made entirely in France, with no subcontracting, using mainly local raw materials. Although they sometimes come from afar when their scarcity obliges them to do so, the art workshops are essentially supplied in France, in the territories where they are established. This requirement guarantees objects of exceptional quality and authenticity.
A constantly renewed offering
EMPREINTES lives to the rhythm of the seasons and the inspirations they inspire. Every week, new creations make their appearance, enriching the visitor’s experience. The pieces offered for sale are renewed every four months. This provides a showcase for a multitude of artisans. And that’s what makes it so special… don’t hesitate too long, or the piece you’ve fallen in love with will pass you by!
The concept store also organizes thematic exhibitions and sales based on a particular craft, material or inspiration, as well as events such as vernissages and meetings with designers. These initiatives strengthen the link between the public and artisans, while celebrating the richness of fine craftsmanship.
Immerse yourself in the Haut Marais
The choice of location is not insignificant. Rue de Picardie, between the dynamic Rue de Bretagne and the Carreau du Temple, is a crossroads of creativity and history. The building housing EMPREINTES has been completely renovated by Ateliers d’Art de France to provide a modern, welcoming setting for the works on display. Its past, marked by the craftsmanship of the Woloch family’s jewelry workshops in the 1930s, echoes its new vocation.
The Collection gallery: a tribute to the exceptional
On the second floor, the Galerie Collection showcases one-of-a-kind contemporary pieces by some fifteen artists. Created in 2006 by Ateliers d’Art de France, this gallery supports artists in their development on the national and international art markets. The works, often exhibited at international events, bear witness to unrivalled expertise and unrivalled creativity.
In addition to exhibitions, the gallery maintains a private collection of over a hundred rare pieces, available to collectors. This living heritage is a veritable showcase for current and emerging talents in the arts and crafts.
A bookshop dedicated to the arts and crafts
On the second floor, the concept store’s bookshop completes the offer with specialized works published by Les Éditions Ateliers d’Art de France. These books and magazines explore the many facets of the crafts, from monographs to practical guides and essays. An ideal place to deepen your knowledge or find inspiration.
A committed experiment
Buying an EMPREINTES creation means supporting a unique and sustainable ecosystem. Each purchase is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, guaranteeing the traceability and quality of the works. It’s also an act of activism, promoting handiwork, creativity and the wealth of French know-how.
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