The World’s Oldest Pastels Maker

In the heart of Paris, La Maison du Pastel stands as a testament to centuries of dedication to the art of colour. For over 300 years, this distinguished atelier has supplied the finest pastels to artists around the world, preserving a craft as delicate as the hues it creates.

La Maison du Pastel's story begins in the 18th century, during a surge in popularity for pastel painting. Renowned artists like Quentin de la Tour, Jean-Baptiste Chardin, and Rosalba Carriera contributed to the medium's rise, solidifying its status among European high society. Paris became the centre of this artistic movement, known for producing pastels that gained acclaim far beyond France.

Initially operating as A la Flotte d’Angleterre on the Île de la Cité, the shop provided exquisite pastels and other materials for artists. By the 1720s, these pigments were celebrated as the best across Europe. Artists such as La Rosalba recognised their unparalleled quality in her travel notes.

In the late 18th century, Claude Alexandre Meunier took ownership of the shop, which relocated to Quai de l’Horloge. Although Meunier was renowned for scientific instruments, he also supplied premium drawing tools and pastels, reaching even the famed explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse in 1785.

Following Meunier’s death, his nephew JJJ Huber took over in 1795. An expert colourist, Huber expanded the shop’s offerings, crafting high-quality lead mines and watercolours that rivalled English pigments. When chemist Louis Jacques Thénard discovered how to synthesise cobalt blue in 1802, he entrusted Huber to produce the pigment, setting a new benchmark in artistic supplies.

The evolution continues

In 1838, Séraphin Macle took charge, leading the shop through a series of relocations before settling at 4 Rue Grenier Saint Lazare. Under his leadership, the shop expanded its range of materials, manufacturing most of what was sold in-house. His relentless pursuit of quality earned the shop accolades at international exhibitions.

Upon Séraphin’s death in 1870, the family tradition continued as his brother and son-in-law took over and eventually purchased a pastel manufacturer, Drouet-Girault. This focus on pastels became the cornerstone of the business.

In 1880, Henri Roché père, a chemist and passionate artist, became involved with the Maison. Applying scientific rigour to pastel-making, Roché expanded the pastel palette to 500 shades by 1887, serving artists like Edgar Degas and James McNeill Whistler.

Henri Roché's son, Dr Henri Roché, took over in 1925, expanding the colour range to an astounding 1,650 shades. Collaborating with artists like Simon Bussy and Paul Maze, the younger Roché continued to innovate, winning a gold medal at the Paris International Exposition in 1937.

World War II devastated the Maison, but after the war, Dr Roché rebuilt the business, aided by a German prisoner of war, Alfred Straub, who later became a close friend of the family.

Revitalising the tradition

After Dr Roché died in 1948, his widow and daughters continued the family legacy. Huberte, the eldest daughter, devoted herself to preserving the quality of pastels while her sisters supported her efforts.

As the millennium approached, the Maison faced challenges. In 2000, Isabelle Roché, a descendant of Henri Roché père, took charge, revitalising the business and restoring hundreds of pastel shades with the help of local artists.

In 2011, Margaret Zayer joined Isabelle, and together, they expanded the colour range and modernised the brand. Today, with over 2,000 shades available, La Maison du Pastel continues to offer the largest collection of pastels in the world, embodying centuries of craftsmanship.

La Maison du Pastel is more than a business—it is a living legacy of dedication to colour and artistic expression. Through wars, economic upheavals, and changes in art movements, it has remained a beacon for artists seeking the finest pastels. Thanks to the passion and perseverance of the Roché family and their collaborators, La Maison du Pastel continues to inspire new generations of artists around the globe.