A taste of Asia to discover at the Maison Guimet

A Belle Époque mansion, designed to house art collections

Built in 1913 by René Sergent for the art-loving couple Alfred-Samuel d’Heidelbach and Julie Picard, the mansion became part of the Guimet Museum in 1991. It has retained the hallmarks of a Parisian Belle Époque residence: wood panelling, mouldings, marble fireplaces, herringbone parquet flooring and tall windows.

It is precisely this décor that the designer and interior architect Constance Guisset has chosen to preserve. Her design approach is characterised by subtle touches: in the Salon Monsieur, the original wood panelling is simply highlighted by large contemporary light fittings. The Salon Pelliot combines mirrors with a textile installation in gradient shades, inspired by the colour palette of the artworks. The Salon Vert features paper light fittings. The modern interventions take a back seat to the historic wood panelling and the collections they complement.

Chinese imperial splendour

The Maison Guimet has thus become the setting for a collection of Chinese ceremonial furniture, most of which is of imperial workmanship. These imposing pieces did not fit into the permanent exhibition at the museum on Place d’Iéna. Here, they come as a delightful surprise, in rooms whose spaciousness suits them perfectly.

The lacquered screens known as ‘Coromandel screens’ are among the most remarkable pieces. Some are several metres high. Their shimmering, exquisitely detailed designs combine mist-shrouded mountain landscapes, court scenes, branches of plum trees in bloom and birds. In Chinese residences, they adorned reception areas whilst concealing more private rooms from view. The walls, painted in shades of black, bring out the lustre of the lacquerwork.

Surrounding them are a series of massive black-and-gold lacquered cabinets with gilded bronze fittings, adorned with dragons, phoenixes and clouds in relief. Vases, porcelain pieces and incense burners in cloisonné enamel complete the display.

On the ground floor, a room is dedicated to the art of tea in China and Japan. It features an exhibition of ceramics associated with these rituals: tea bowls, teapots and other pieces, each reflecting a particular style, school or era.

A Japanese garden in the heart of the 16th arrondissement

The tour continues into the Japanese-inspired garden, where one quickly forgets the Avenue d’Iéna. The tea house (chashitsu) was built here in 2001 by craftsmen from Japan. It is reached via a small stone path lined with bamboo, moss and ferns. This tea house hosts authentic tea ceremonies, particularly those following the Omotesenke school.

How to get there

Visits to the Maison Guimet are by booking only, with a ticket that also grants access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions at the Guimet Museum on Place d’Iéna. It is well worth a visit for anyone who enjoys unassuming venues and Asian art.