UMC - Grandes Marques et Maisons de Champagne

Home > The Marc Mansion

The Marc Mansion

Built for Edouard Werlé, successor to Madame Clicquot and mayor of Rheims, the Marc Mansion, with its courtyard and garden, is a prime example of Rheims 19th Century architecture, reflecting the neo-classical influence of the preceding century.

A restrained grandeur
The proportions and discrete ocre tones of the facade stonework express a combination of grandeur and simplicity — a restrained grandeur that suited the unostentatious tastes of Édouard Werlé, a man who sought comfort on condition that it was never showy. The building is set on the site of a former orchard, boasting a wealth of greenery for a property in the centre of town. The grounds also feature the Pavillon de Muire, classified as a Historic Monument, one of the rare Renaissance buildings to have survived the First World War.

The French art de vivre…

The Marc Mansion is today a private venue where the House of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin receives VIP guests from around the world to taste its wines, discover Champagne and the French art de vivre.

The spirit of restoration
The marks of time and history.

The First World War wreaked devastation on the city of Rheims. Though not untouched by shellfire, the Marc Mansion escaped the wholesale destruction and fires that annihilated the district as a whole and notably the House’s headquarters.

An intelligent and sensitive preservation of the site’s history.

To the scars of war were eventually added the scars of time. With increasing weathering, the stone became dangerously decayed and urgent action was required to prevent irreparable damage. The restoration of the facades was conducted in consultation with the chief architect for historic monuments, commencing in December 2007 and reaching completion two years later.

Restoring the value of an exceptional heritage
The painters had to work like mountain climbers to give exterior woodwork the off-white finish specified by the Bâtiments de France architect.

Masters of wrought iron
Traditional motifs inspired the design of the fine arabesques of the railings.

Portfolio