Born in 1826, Eugénie de Montijo became Empress of the French in 1853, following her marriage to Napoleon III, celebrated in the grand setting of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. She would hold this title for 17 years. During this time, Empress Eugénie played a leading role in promoting the arts and supporting the work of artists. Long overlooked, this side of her personality is now being rediscovered with growing interest by art historians.
It was above all the decorative arts that benefited from the Empress's passion. She had a deep appreciation for 18th-century styles, which she helped bring back into fashion. But she didn’t simply revive an old aesthetic—she reimagined it, modernized it, and made it evolve. This gave rise to what became known as the Louis XVI–Empress style, which left a lasting mark on the imperial residences shared by Napoleon III and Eugénie.
Even more remarkably, Eugénie introduced a bold mix of French heritage pieces with objects from distant lands. She was particularly captivated by the then little-known beauty of Chinese decorative arts. A room on the ground floor of the Palace of Fontainebleau was dedicated to showcasing treasures from the Far East. This meeting of French decorative arts and Eastern craftsmanship—often set against lush floral arrangements at the heart of living spaces—came to define the Empress’s eclectic taste.
Her passion also made her acutely aware of the creative process behind French artisanal work. Through her careful support, she helped artisans of the time thrive, encouraging the renewal of their techniques and the transmission of their knowledge.
By placing ourselves under the symbolic patronage of Empress Eugénie, we share the same ambition: to celebrate the excellence of French craftsmanship by fostering its creativity and innovation—for the benefit of couples around the world.