Buy a Piece of the Ritz Paris: Artcurial Hosts an Exceptional Auction

Artcurial hosts “Once Upon a Time The Ritz Paris”, an exceptional auction staged by interior designer Vincent Darré Having organized the auction of the contents of Hôtel de Crillon, the Plaza Athénée, Hôtel de Paris (Monaco), and La Tour d’Argent, François Tajan, Artcurial’s Deputy President and Stéphane Aubert, Associate Director, will wield the gavel over five days, when, under their hammer go 3,500 lots from successive redecorations of the Ritz since its original opening on June 1st, 1889. The multidisciplinary Paris-based auction house has totaled more than €12 M / $14,4 M during these exceptional auctions. Get a private amuse-bôuche, pre-auction, at Artcurial’s magnificent mansion, Hôtel Marcel Dassault, located at the Rond Point des Champs Elysées. And, don’t ignore the excellent Caffè Artcurial. In a bold move, the house asked Vincent Darré— the irreverant, iconic interior designer, influencer and tastemaker (a modern mix of Cocteau, Man Ray, Dali)– to choose a selection of his favorite pieces from the collection and create ephemeral settings over the three floors of the auction house — inspired by the great French tradition of interior design, a poetic reinterpretation of the timeless spirit of The Ritz Paris. Darré says: “I carry with me a multitude of personal memories of The Ritz. I remember the film Funny Face, which begins with a scene in front of The Ritz where they sing “Bonjour Paris”. In total, 19 different ambiances will be displayed during the exhibition. Peek at the Coco Chanel Suite, the Windsor Suite or the Imperial Suite, a few moments in the Chinese Lounge or the Galerie des Vitrines, wander through the hotel gardens, the Ritz Bar and the Health Club. “For this five-day exhibition I followed a clear image: transform Artcurial’s private mansion into an imaginary décor, a film set recounting the history of The Ritz through the memory of the characters who marked the hotel,” explains Darré. Darré says his favorite pieces are the four-poster beds, small brocade ottomans and Regency-style lanterns. “However, if I had to bid in the auction I would love to take home the Louis XVI style dog bed – it belonged to the Windsors!” (estimate €600-€800) “This auction is a wonderful way to pay homage to César Ritz, whose vision and understanding of French art de vivre has attracted and fascinated a fabulous clientele since it opened. Artists, writers, crowned heads, all contributed – and contribute today – to the legend that is The Ritz,” reflects Monsieur Darré. Preview exhibition from Thursday, April 12th-Monday, April 16th, 11am-7pm. The auction will take place from April 17th-April 21st.  7 Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées Marcel-Dassault, 8th, Tel: +33 (0)1 42 99 20 20. Website: https://www.artcurial.com