Step inside this grand building, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. Here, you’ll find echoes of art and design history whispered across the centuries. The first seeds of this renowned institution were planted in 1766, by Jean-Jacques Bachelier. He envisioned a place where artisans could learn to combine technique and culture—a place where craftsmanship was elevated into artistry. The Royal Free School of Design, as it was originally called, moved into the former home of the surgeons’ guild in 1775. It would take another century for the school to take on its current name, the National School of Decorative Arts in 1877.
These hallowed halls have witnessed the rise and fall of artistic movements, from the refined Art Nouveau to the exuberantly elegant Art Deco. It was here, in the heart of Paris, that designs for furniture, textiles, jewelry, and even posters were born.
The Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs wasn’t just focused on traditional crafts. It embraced the dynamism of the 20th century. In the 1920s, the school added a renowned graphic design department. This brought the latest trends in advertising and visual communication into this Parisian center of art.
The school has grown and transformed over time. In 2004, a modern extension on Rue Erasme opened its doors. Designed by a team that included the renowned architect Luc Arsène-Henry and designer Philippe Starck, it brought a new era of innovation to this historic institution.
From the original vision of enriching traditional craftsmanship to the integration of new technologies in modern design, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs has continuously pushed artistic boundaries. Today, it remains a beacon of creativity, shaping the future of design and art in France and beyond.