On sale March 26, 2024
The birth of Méribel is due to the vision of a Scotsman: Peter Lindsay. In the 1930s, with the help of French skier Émile Allais, he found an ideal site above the village of Les Allues, an undeveloped valley with the right altitude and orientation. Fascinated by the site, he founded the Société Foncière de la Vallée des Allues in 1938 and began buying up land from local farmers.
The first chalets were built at an altitude of 1450 metres. The new resort was named “Méribel”. The first ski lift, built in 1938, took skiers to an altitude of 1900 metres.
A strict building code was put in place, inspired by Lindsay’s vision. He joined forces with a team of architects, including Christian Durupt and Charlotte Perriand, and established precise specifications for the project. All the chalets were to be built using local materials: slate, wood and stone, with double-pitched roofs and a harmonious architectural style, to create a high-altitude residential area integrated into the natural environment.
The first investors were a mix of developers, wealthy English families, businessmen and local residents who believed in Peter Lindsay’s vision. Early chalet ownes included one of François Mitterrand’s brothers, the Duchess of Bedford and Brigitte Bardot.
At times, Peter Lindsay was unable to compensate those who worked for him, so he offered them land to build on in exchange. Marie Blanche accepted the offer of a plot of land and built one of the first hotels. The eponymous chalet-hotel opened in 1953 on Route de la Renarde in Méribel. The architect was Christian Durupt, and the interior was furnished by Charlotte Perriand.
All the furniture for sale on 26 March comes from this chalet-hotel, which was renovated in the 1990s and has remained in Marie Blanche’s family ever since.
CHARLOTTE PERRIAND (1903-1999)
A set of eight ‘Méribel’ chairs in varnished pine.
(Wear, stains and scratches)
29 7/8 x 16 3/8 x 16 3/8 in.
CHRISTIAN DURUPT
A dining table in pine.
Made by René Martin, known as Les Ciseaux, Charlotte Perriand’s cabinetmaker in Méribel.
28 3/8 x 78 3/4 x 31 1/4 in
CHARLOTTE PERRIAND (attribué à)
Two beds in pine.
(No bed frames, scratches and wear).
28 x 79 1/8 x 34 1/4 in.
CHARLOTTE PERRIAND (1903-1999)
A coat rack in pine.
L. 44 1/8 in. – W. 4 3/4 in.
DISCOVER THE AUCTION 20th CENTURY DECORATIVE ARTS & DESIGN
Tuesday 26 March at 3 pm
Tajan, 37 rue des Mathurins, 75008 Paris
CONTACTS
Marie-Cécile Michel – Director of the 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design Department
[email protected] – +33 1 53 30 30 58
Ariane de Miramon – Press and Communication Department
[email protected] – +33 1 53 30 30 68