Maison Tassin has moved into the Viaduc des arts

May 2025 111 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12

Renowned for its upholstery and decorative leathers, as well as its fine leathercraft workshop, Maison Tassin has left its historic premises in the 11th arrondissement to join other leading Parisian names in the arts and crafts sector at the Viaduc des arts. The small company, founded in 1905, now occupies vault n°111 on Avenue Daumesnil.

A former resident of the Cour de l’Ours

This move marks a significant change in the long history of Maison Tassin. For decades, Tassin operated from its workshop at 95 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine.
Among its impressive clientele are major luxury brands (Lamborghini, Yves Saint Laurent, Ferrari...), prestigious institutions (the Louvre Museum, the French Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Quai d’Orsay...), and renowned interior designers, architects, and decorators (Jean Nouvel, Philippe Starck, Jacques Garcia...).

There, in what Parisians commonly call the Cour de l’Ours, in reference to the bear-shaped bas-relief above its entrance, Tassin’s skilled artisans worked leather for decades. Furniture fittings, desktop inlays, library interiors, Cordovan leather wall coverings... the expertise of Maison Tassin has always been remarkably diverse.

At the time, Faubourg-Saint-Antoine was considered a landmark for Parisian fine craftsmanship. The district hosted a large number of leatherworkers, cabinetmakers, and carpenters, making Faubourg-Saint-Antoine a major hub for exceptional trades.

Right at home at the Viaduc des arts

By moving to the Viaduc des arts, Maison Tassin is continuing a long-standing tradition. « Here, we feel right at home, » confirms Julien Gurhem, the new president since the company’s acquisition by the Ateliers de France Group in June 2024. « Our competitors are just next door, alongside other artisanal and niche crafts—just like ours. It feels like we’re part of a greater whole. »

For Julien Gurhem, the Viaduc des arts is France’s answer to what cities like London and New York have created. « Over there, there are dedicated spaces where many businesses from different craft sectors are gathered in one place. So an interior designer doesn’t need to get in a car to find an upholsterer, a leatherworker, or a framer... The Viaduc des arts offers something similar. All these niche professions are concentrated in a single neighborhood. »

Cordovan leather, an age-old craft

The Maison Tassin stands out for its century-old expertise. Through its leather supply activity—representing around 20% of its turnover—Tassin has established itself as one of Europe’s leading distributors of leather for the furniture and decoration, marine, automotive, and aerospace industries.

But it is above all its artisanal leather casing and gilding expertise that has earned it international acclaim. Recognized as an « Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant » (Living Heritage Company) since 2007, Maison Tassin owns an impressive collection of embossing plates, wheels, floral stamps and punches, which it uses to decorate leather with friezes, bookbindings, custom coats of arms, and initials. This allows for the restoration of antique objects or the creation of unique new pieces, enhanced with gold leaf.

« One of our specialties is Cordovan leather, » adds Julien Gurhem. This embossed leather, painted by hand and then patinated, is the result of a very ancient technique that dates back to the 14th century. « Today, very few still master it, » he explains.

Carefully selected, the leather is first moistened and then embossed in a press between a plate and a counter-plate. « Tassin owns a vast collection of bronze plates with traditional designs—including 18th-century plates featuring Henri II motifs—which our graphic designers complement with contemporary patterns, » continues Julien Gurhem.

After drying, the leather craftsmen apply a base shade (gold, silver, or translucent like stained glass). The Cordovan leather is then hand-painted—monochrome, bicolor, or multicolor—before the final patina. Each piece is therefore unique. This is why Cordovan leather is particularly sought after to adorn the walls of prestigious venues or to cover high-value objects (boxes, cases, etc.).

Maison Tassin
111 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12
tassin-cuir.com/fr
© Photo : Nicolas Scordia

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