Le Cellier

In 1899, Alexandre Henriot, an art enthusiast, commissioned the architects Ernest Kalas, a former pupil of Guadet at the École des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Paris, and Armand Bègue, president of the Marne Society of Architects to create this wine cellar for the Jules Mumm house and, in Paris, a neo Rococo Art Nouveau palace to represent the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC – Union of
Champagne Houses) during the Exposition Universelle world fair in 1900.

The architecture of Le Cellier recounts the secrets of champagne production, which are hidden behind an imposing metal door.

The production stages are illustrated on panels designed by Joseph Blanc and Octave Guillonnet and created by mosaic artist Guilbert-Martin. They alternate with the caryatids by Émile Peynot and words expressing the “virtues” of this drink: Virtus, Ingenium, Amor, Gaudium (courage, spirit, love, joy).

In 2015, Le Cellier became a cultural centre and is dedicated to creations by professional artists