Arthus-Bertrand, a medal maker in Saint-Germain-des-Prés since 1803

Arthus-Bertrand, the house of medals, decorations and jewellery on place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, was founded in 1803 by Claude Arthus-Bertrand. A battalion commander in the Republican Guard with a passion for scientific expeditions, he first opened a bookshop and became official publisher to the Ministry of the Navy.

In 1862 his grandson Claude married the daughter of Michel-Ange Marion, an embroiderer and maker of military insignia who supplied Napoleon III. From then on the house devoted itself to flags, embroidery and decorations. In 1915 it won the competition for the Croix de Guerre; in 1963 General de Gaulle commissioned from it the medal of the National Order of Merit.

In 1910 Michel-Ange Arthus-Bertrand brought the workshops together on place Saint-Germain-des-Prés and opened a shop there. His son André launched christening medals and jewellery in 1925; César, Arman and Niki de Saint Phalle worked with the house. It still strikes the medal of the Légion d’honneur and makes academicians’ swords.

Some 140 craftsmen now work in its workshops in Anjou. On place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the 6th arrondissement, the shop shows its christening medals, jewellery, decorations and silverware.