Reporting to the Monnaie de Paris on lesechos

A small revolution is preparing for the Paris Mint. Under the leadership of its CEO, Christophe Beaux, appointed in 2007 when his change of status in Epic (establishment public industrial and commercial), the rooted fortress on the quai de Conti since 1775 will know of changes in the next two years. A vast architectural site draws. but this is especially the vocation of the building which will evolve. Called "MetalMorphoses" (see box), the project carried by Christophe beautiful includes opening a restaurant and a café. But through him, the pattern of the institution intends to transform especially into "the vault of the King", a "metal Murano. Guideline: "Making out the Paris Mint from the numbness to reveal treasures within", summarizes. Specifically, it will be to discover and visit places of manufacture, the image of the famous Venetian glass, for the purchase of coins or medals, in shops at the exit.

A plant in a Palace

For the time being, difficult to imagine what lies behind the austere façade of the quai de Conti. Poorly known institution voluntarily discrete, it permitted far that one-time overflow of a long and wise queue on its sidewalks. A small band of passionate, massed in good morning collectors to acquire the latest creation of the House, just out of the workshops and minted in limited quantities. Produced in September 2008, the first piece of 100 euros in gold thus elapsed best 50,000 in a morning! 500 Euros, released in March, has, however, attracted 25,000 purchasers in only four days...

The Parisians themselves ignore. But under the appearance of a soft Palace, the Paris Mint is still within a real industrial plant. No doubt one of the last of the capital. Decided during the reign of Louis XV, to organize and centralize the striking of the coins and medals, again conducted by workshops scattered throughout the territory, the construction of the facility is first seen on the location of the current place de la Concorde. Changers and goldsmiths in the lead, the professionals at the time opposed. They argue that the activity remains in the environment of their aptly named Street of the currency.

Their protests have been heard, the choice is on the site of the hotels in the quai de Conti, then désuétudes. The two buildings that make up, only the small will be preserved. The location is ideal, professionals have the new bridge to cross and access to the river Seine, below, allows to easily transport materials. Jacques-Denis Antoine, yet unknown architect, to embark on the design of the site.

The project suffers from a double handicap of starting. Side aesthetic, it especially must compete with its prestigious neighbor, the Louvre. And practical, should organize a rational industrial activity sufficiently secure. The final building, the ancient of pure neo-classical style Palace, is a symbol of power, without ostentation. It protects the national treasure, produced the currencies of species and collections, and commemorative medals.

A fatal portrait

It is Louis XVI who will officially take the Paris Mint in function, in December 1775. The monarch is unknown at this time there proven satisfaction to see its profile adorn the species of the entire Kingdom will cost him a very expensive day. Fifteen years later, recognized in Varenne with coin, while trying to flee the revolution, dressed as valet... Since then, political turmoil, or wars, or even, more recently, the speculative real estate frenzy, had reason site. Rare witness in Paris intramuros, pre-industrial architecture. The building expresses, in its form, the hinge of two eras: side street, the stylisation of the enlightenment ending; side Court, barely emerging industrial age organization. Its originality, the Monnaie de Paris the must also to its main building apartments, prefiguring somehow the phalanstery of Charles Fourier, since they allow its workers to stay on-site.

Health recovered

This contrast between the machines and the refinement of the decor of the 18th century, Christophe beautiful means not only do discover, but if possible the value. Through the changes ahead, the patron of the Paris Mint wants to know all the trades that it contains, any expertise. Indeed, walking in the heart of this "industrial exception" Paris, is to achieve a surprising sensory journey: ors of the Palace of the currency of the working blue cobalt, the silence of the established of the engraver to the crashing of the pendulum impactor, the intense heat of metal liquid in the coldness of the petrified bronze... On the walls, engravings and old photos remind us that most gestures, advances in technology and mechanization, remain the same from the beginning.

But transforming the image of the House is one thing. Its future is another. On a strict financial plan, the CEO of the Monnaie de Paris welcomes today the progress achieved. With a global turnover of 126 million euros and a net result of 16 million for 2009, it has, for the second year in a row, out the institution of the red. This recovered health allowed him to move away from predators which lorgnaient on its 1.3 hectares in edge of river Seine.

The party was not yet won in advance for this quarantine enarque, who has tried the business bank in London, before working in several ministerial - Jean-Pierre Raffarin and François Loos, including. This is leaded and a team sounded awaiting Christophe fine upon his arrival, there is a little more than three years. The Paris Mint approach then closing outright, with point of view the relocation of all activities on the site of Pessac, Gironde. More modern and ultra secure. To restore the institution afloat, a departure in early retirement plan was established: it has allowed to reduce the workforce of more than 650 to nearly 500 employees, including 288 in Paris. A clarification of the tasks has also been decided: the industrial production of coins is now exclusively in Pessac. the workshops of the capital, they are book art crafts, with the Foundry of works, the collection currency, medals, decorations, administrative fees and the punches of guarantee for precious metals. It now has free rein to carry out its ambitious restructuring project.

In the future, because momentum, Christophe beautiful would like to impose the place as "cultural hub". And gourmet, since it is expected to Guy Savoy is transfers shortly his restaurant. In 2009, already, the exhibition of very trendy fashion David photographer the chapel had been organized to knock spirits and to bring as many people as possible within its walls. The test proved concluding from this point of view, but was variously felt internally.

The threat of the "commodification".

On the machines of the Paris Mint, some "old" fear the "commodification" of the site. And would prefer that money may be used to recruit young printmakers - what more was the case ten years - rather than to organize such events. Eyes of the concerned, of actual threats today on the transmission and the renewal of the know-how.

Culture shock, shock of worlds... the workshops is not unfettered creativity or any spirit bling-bling. In their impeccable blue blouses, workers claim the cult of the precision and discretion. When côté Seine, we created the event, as last year, with a tapageuse exhibition full of greenbacks and oiled body, courtyard, it challenges repeatedly on the established his book from a few millimetres, is composed with the strength of materials and are kept for itself certain monetary knowledge transmitted from generations in generations. Aboriginal expertise on the one hand, commercialization of art and places, on the other... The Paris Mint continues to have two sides, they have just changed face.

Reporting to the Monnaie de Paris on lesechos.fr/tvlesechos.fr/tv