Maison Empereur: A Marseilles Institution

I had long planned to visit this unique Marseille institution I’d heard so much about: Maison Empereur. This iconic shop is dedicated to tools, home essentials, and traditional crafts“– the kind of things I’m very familiar with!

My grandparents opened a so-called hardware and household goods store in postwar Germany – and they were incredibly successful with it. Their shop offered everything people needed to rebuild their homes and lives after the war: tools, tableware, kitchen utensils, laundry accessories, and later even washing machines. As a child, I loved wandering through the aisles, discovering all the little items that became more refined and modern over time. The shop closed in the late 1980s, when my grandparents retired and large chain stores began taking over the market – just like so many other small businesses of that kind.

In Marseille, however, in the multicultural Noailles district not far from the port, Maison Empereur is still standing. And with such a deep respect for tradition, walking in feels like stepping back in time. Founded in 1827 and still family-run, it is now considered the oldest quincaillerie – the French word for hardware and home goods store – in all of France.

Its 1,300 square meters are a true treasure trove: along with tools and household items, you’ll find personal care products, traditional games, and clothing from Provence. Over 500,000 products are part of the collection! 90% of the brands sold here carry the „Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant“-label – a French state distinction awarded to artisanal and industrial companies that preserve rare and exceptional craftsmanship. Some of them have been featured here since the store first opened in the 19th century.

Everything is displayed in lovingly curated themed sections, each supervised by a staff member wearing the traditional blue work smock – a rare sight in today's retail world. There’s even a charming little tearoom in historical style and a small museum dedicated to the heritage of traditional manufacturers, many of whom are still represented in the shop.

Maison Empereur is definitely more than just a store. It’s a source of inspiration – a tribute to the beauty of simple objects and to enduring traditions. A gentle journey into another era, before the age of overconsumption, when things had real value and service truly mattered.