You know them without really knowing them… And yet, it’s impossible to take a step in Paris without noticing them. Theiconic rattan chairs foundin our favorite Parisianbistrosand cafés are part of the city’s living heritage. They adornthe most beautiful establishments in Paris, from theEiffel Tower toMontmartre and theChamps-Élysées. Every self-respecting Parisian café, bistro, or restaurant has them. But did you know that these chairs have been handcrafted for over a hundred years by a tiny family-run business just an hour from Paris?
The iconic chairs of Parisian bistros are over a hundred years old
Since 1920, Maison J. Gatti, a small family-run business located in Villemer (near Fontainebleau), has been handcrafting these chairs so beloved by Parisians and tourists alike. And it’s safe to say that, ever since then, their success has shown no signs of waning.
It must be said that theserattan chairs, made from Malacca rattan and beech wood, are as beautiful as they are sturdy. According to the manufacturer, their furniture has a lifespan of15 to 20 years. Quitesimply, they can withstand almost anything: the cold, the sun, the rain, and above all, the test of time! For over 100 years, the company has built a solid reputation. It’s quite simple: its furniture is everywhere—in historic cafés like Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, on the terraces of hotels and luxury establishments… Gatti’s chairs have, in their own way, contributedto the Parisian charm we love so much.
And the craziest part is that, over the course of a century, the method used to make these chairs has hardly changed at all. Chairs , as well as benches, stools, and rattan tables, come in thirty colors and are sold beyond our borders. A living Parisian heritage we can be proud of.