Le Rouvray Quilt Shop: "We Speak Patchwork Fluently"

Le Rouvray was first an historic French farm whose building foundations date back to the Middle Ages, then an antique emporium in the same location in Normandy and now is a renowned quilt store in Paris. Owner Diane de Obaldia’s journey to founding the first quilt store in France is as interesting and complex as a fine patchwork quilt.

She discovered quilts as a child via her Tennessee grandmother. After college in Michigan, she entered the world of design, initially as a stylist, then as an haut couture model. She traveled throughout Europe, met Coco Chanel, and worked in the House of Dior and with Pierre Cardin.

Love and marriage brought her to the farm in Normandy (rouvre means ‘oak’ in old French). While there, she began searching for French antiques, at first for decorator friends, later for her own shop. She brightened the walls of her antique shop with American patchwork quilts.

After an exhibit of antique quilts at Musée des Arts décoratifs created a sensation in the 1970’s, she decided to open Le Rouvray in Paris. The store is right across the Seine from Notre Dame in the Latin Quarter on a charming rue in a 17th century building (also near Shakespeare and Company Bookstore). It specializes in French style fabrics and has a good selection of Provençal prints and toile de Jouy. They also carry a line of Free Spirit Fabrics featuring Le Rouvray designs. This historic shop is a must-see for quilters and fabric lovers who visit or live in Paris.

Comments

[Patricia]

So, what did you buy? The history's great, but what about the fabric?

Enquiring fabricoholics want to know!

Patricia

[sharon jadrnicek]

tut, very different than the place in London I visited--but both places are so proud of their history, it's a europe thing, I guess. Am really enjoying your travelogues. Some of those fabrics look gorgeous! sheri

[paul rensberger]

looks like you are having a good time,take care of yourself.
paul r.

[olga margarita guillen de leon]

pls can you send me as soon as possible the address in Paris from the quilt shop "LE ROUVRAY"
tks