Maxim's of Paris

Marie-Chantal recently toured a Paris institution, Maxim's, one of the most celebrated restaurants in Paris.  

Maxim's, founded in 1893, still operates--serving dinner nightly with live entertainment and dancing. Its clientele over the decades have included the rich and famous, such as Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas and then, in a sudden shift, Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy.  Zsa Zsa Gabor dined and danced there with all nine of her husbands, successively.

Now owned by fashion designer Pierre Cardin (now retired, age 97), Maxim's is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau decor.  In fact, the upper floors feature Cardin's personal collection of Art Nouveau furniture and art. 

What is Art Nouveau?  Art Nouveau was an international style of art, architecture and applied arts (such as interior decor) during 1890-1910.  The style typically featured natural forms, such as plants, flowers and female bodies.  The style is known by its sensual, organic curves and bright colors.  In some instances, the subject matter is erotic.   

Marie-Chantal joined a private guided tour of the restaurant and collection of furnishings.  (Only guided tours are permitted.)  The guide was a delightful Frenchman who personally created the museum to exhibit the decorative arts collection of his friend and boss, Pierre Cardin.  The tour began in the restaurant.  

Small tables are intimately arranged around the dance floor.  The sensuous mood is set by the red walls and the light that is reflected in the artistically curved mirrors.

Then, the tour moved upstairs to the private collection.

The restroom . . .

The enthusiastic, knowledgeable guide . . .

There is symbolism in much of the Art Nouveau decor.  For instance, storks are holding small lights in their beaks in the fixture shown below.  Normally, storks are shown carrying babies in their beaks.  Everyone in the early 1900's would immediately have understood, according to the guide, that storks bring babies, and babies represent "life," and life is symbolized here by light.  So, it makes perfect sense that storks are delivering light.  In today's society, he said, it's necessary to explain the symbolism since we don't share the same top-of-mind grasp of the subtle meaning that folks did a century ago.  (Heck, Marie-Chantal didn't even recognize the bird as a stork!)

Wallpaper based on an original design by artist Édouard Vuillard.

The wooden irises on the footboard of the bed (below) are also seen on the matching armoire, dresser, and side chairs that complete this walnut bedroom suite.  Typically, the furniture artists of the day chose different leaves and flowers to create a theme.  In the Cardin collection, there is a "grape" dining room suite and a "poppy" bedroom suite, as well.  Wooden flowers and carved leaves often serve as drawer pulls, reminding us that nature is very useful and essential to us in our daily lives.  (Without that iris blossom to grasp as a knob, Madame could not open the door of the armoire.)

A view of the circular staircase as seen from the top floor!

A first-run, first-day edition of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's  lithographic print Jane Avril (1893). Avril was a famous Moulin Rouge dancer.

The garden room above is deemed the largest smoking room in Paris.  Until ten years ago, it was the inner courtyard of the Maxim's building.  The city of Paris gave Maxim's three days notice that it had to create a separate smoking room because Maxim's clients (who clustered outside the front door to smoke) were blocking the public sidewalk far too frequently.  The establishment quickly tented the courtyard and decorated it like a garden.  It has served as the smoking space ever since.

Thanks for enjoying the twists and sensual curves of Art Nouveau at Maxim's with us!