16 March 2026
The redesign of the wallpapers in the Parcours Belle Époque marks a significant step in the museum’s efforts to revitalise the sensory experience it offers. More than mere decoration, these new wall coverings play a key role in immersing visitors in the sensory and aesthetic atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
For this project, the museum commissioned the wallpapers from Atelier d’Offard, an exceptional manufacturer renowned for its unique expertise and mastery of traditional woodblock printing techniques. Inspired by a repertoire of historical patterns, their designs combine historical accuracy, artisanal quality and visual appeal.
For the exhibition spaces evoking the Belle Époque, the aim was not to recreate the historic villa’s interiors exactly as they were – as no original sources remain – but to accurately evoke the wallpapers and colour palettes used between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This approach addresses a twofold challenge: to create an atmosphere faithful to the spirit of the period and to strengthen the scientific link between the works on display and their surroundings. The patterns and colours were designed to harmonise with the seaside setting, the garden and an almost Proustian sensibility, conducive to contemplation, selected thanks to the expertise of the Atelier d’Offard.
The traditional woodblock printing technique relies on the use of engraved blocks to transfer designs onto paper. Each carved block is coated with colour and then applied to the surface, shade by shade, detail by detail. This meticulous, entirely manual process produces unique textures and a visual depth that industrial processes cannot replicate. Each wallpaper thus becomes a true work of craftsmanship.
This project has been made possible thanks to the exceptional support of Crédit Agricole Normandie, the Fondation du Patrimoine, the Fondation Belle Main and the Amis de la Villa du Temps retrouvé. Funded by dedicated sponsorship, it reflects the museum’s commitment to enhancing the scientific and aesthetic quality of its exhibitions by drawing on exceptional craftsmanship.
Through this redesign of the wallpapers, the museum reaffirms its commitment: to offer visitors a fresh, immersive and sensory experience, where the décor becomes a key element of the Belle Époque journey.
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