EPV Meeting of the Ile-de-France Réseau Excellence Charles Paris and Le Lit National

we had the honour of being received byNicolas Beaufour, Head of the houseCharles, Living Heritage Company (EPV) founded in 1908. Located in Aubervilliers, this exceptional factory is a flagship of thebronze artandlighting, inventor of the famous « Style CHARLES » - a unique blend of classicism, rigour and modernity that marked the history of decoration since the 1960s.

Charles: exceptional know-how For more than a century, Charles has been tradition and innovation to create timeless pieces. Their style CHARLES is recognizable among all, with iconic creations like lampsANANAS, Organs, Ginkgo,or the editions of the sculptor Felix AGOSTINI. These models, often inspired by nature, have become references for art and design lovers.

Each piece is the fruit of arare craftsmanship:

• Foundry: Bronze fonts according to traditional techniques.
• Cut: Work of engraving and retracing for details of extreme precision.
• Tournure : shaping of the pieces and laying of the famous wheels
• mount,: Hot and cold assembly to ensure the perfection of a single piece.
• Surface treatment decorating the rooms
• Decoration by metallization or fire patina: Ancient techniques to enhance bronze.

Controlled steps for a perfect finish.

Aubervilliers workshop visit: excellence in action

To enter Charles Paris' workshop is to discover a place where every gesture counts. We were able to observe artisans at work, perpetuating techniques transmitted for more than a century. Time tools, pieces being created, and an absolute requirement at each stage: this is what makes this exceptional House famous.

The evening was continued by the discovery of Le Lit National, directed by Nicolas Levy, another historical EPV, which we will present to you in a next article.

after a captivating immersion at Charles Paris Aubervilliers, we thought we had already had an evening full of discoveries. But the EPV Réseau Excellence EPV Île-de-France had a surprise of size: just a few steps away, always in the old factory matches of Aubervilliers, is located Le Lit National, another jewel of the French artisanal heritage led by Nicolas Lévy.

Founded in 1909, the manufacture perpetuates know-how unique in the world of exceptional bedding.

Each creation combines crafts, comfort requirements, natural materials and manufacturing fully French. Here, the beds are not designed to last a few years, but decades.

A story born of resilience and daring

It all starts with François Péjaudier, a young orphan 15 years old leaving Limousin for Paris. When he was 24, he bought a business from bedding in the X district. After World War I, he imagine a copper bed designed to equip French homes: the "Lit National". Success is immediate and will give its name to the factory. In 1928, he opened the historic shop of 2 Place Trocadéro, still active today. True to its spirit of innovation, the then created the famous Duo-Rêve, presented at the Salon des Arts maisonaux with its iconic slogan: "To sleep together, each in bed".

Rare craftsmanship

In the workshops of Aubervilliers, carpenters, seamstresses, upholsterers and garnishers work together in the manufacture of every room.

The springs are guinea by hand according to the methods traditional mattresses are composed of selected natural materials carefully, and each finish is carefully worked out.

Voluntaryly limited production helps to preserve an exceptional level of requirement and a completely tailor-made production.

Natural materials and responsible manufacturing

Le Lit National favours noble materials and durable: French poplar wood, natural wool, linen, cashmere, silk, hair and fabrics selected for their aesthetic qualities and longevity.

The entire manufacture is carried out at the manufacture, in a logic of transmission, durability and valorisation craftsmanship.