Depuis Toujours – wonderful antiques and more in Uzes

It was my birthday. I am superstitious about them, childishly so. If they aren’t slam-dunk amazing does that mean that I will be doomed to a year ahead of offness? So it was with a nearing whininess that I wandered through the crowded streets of high season Uzes, a town that I usually adore, after a late and frankly so-so lunch with my honey on the Place des Herbes. I held his hand tighter when I saw that the shop that we had come here to visit was closed for Monday. Things were not going according to plan.

But then Remi made a swift turn and entered into a boutique that I had never seen before. If I have learned anything after living nearly thirteen years with this handsome photographer, it is that the man has pif, he has instinct. Where he goes, I will follow or regret it later.

Those of you that have been reading for any length of time know that I am fascinated by patina. I don’t just find it “pretty” or “fashionable” I also find it…quite meaningful. So perhaps you can imagine my inner leap of joy upon discovering that I was in the Ali Baba Cavern of Yee Olde Beautiful Things. And it is run by a wonderful curator.

Bénédicte Leuwers-Mohr was previously a fashion editor for various European magazines before turning towards l’art de la décoration and we were in immediate agreement on the importance of both respecting creative rights and that of taking time to do things well. I saw first hand how her shaped eye had lead her to make such pieces as a giant suspension lamp built around a vintage industrial flour shifter or folding chairs recovered in fabric that bread had been baked in. Inventive, textural, grounded and quietly stunning. My heart went pit a pat.

She also showcases some of the bright lights of the region – literally in the case of the work of Vox Populi, a personal favorite – and beyond, including the most sumptuous cashmere and yak (yak!) blankets that I have ever seen, which were handmade by a pair of brothers in Nepal.

I believe that I have found a new favorite antiques store in Provence. That Bénédicte is such an interesting host only makes the visit all the more worthwhile. It was a birthday gift for the eyes, one to delight a certain aesthetic and longing for the past, all while opening the door to confidently looking towards the year ahead.

I will take everything, please.

I love the name of this boutique. Sans doute, when you take one of these lovely pieces home, you will feel as if you have had it “since always.”
Depuis Toujours
13 rue Pélisserie
30700 Uzes
Tel. +33 (0)7 87 14 41 21
de************@*mx.fr
I know for many of you in the Northern Hemisphere this might feel like the last weekend of summer. Courage! Autumn is wonderful too. Please know that I am sending my best wishes that you enjoy it thoroughly wherever you are. And to my newest readers/friends, bienvenue! I am truly delighted to have you here at Lost in Arles…

38 comments

  1. Ahhh, I didn't! Because I woke up with a cold this morning! I am fighting it with zinc and oops a little red wine. 😮

    And I know that you have an amazing eye as I have seen it in your work – we could open a shop together!

  2. Oh I am hoping so too, Teresa! 100 degrees at this time of year seems a bit…unfair. But soon you will be in the South of France and the weather will hopefully be perfect. It is the best time of year to come but you probably already know that. 🙂 I don't know where you will be but there is also a great depot-vente just outside of Eygalieres. If you type that in the search section on the right, it will give you the info!

  3. That is for sure, Edgar. But it was fun to not even be looking this time, just enjoying. 🙂

  4. oh, Heather my heart made also pit a pat (b.t.w. I learn so many new vocabularies by reading especially your blog)
    and I would take nearly the most of these beautiful antiques. Even it was a birthday gift just for your eyes, you know
    that the happiest people do not have everything, they just make the best of everything and you both are really
    good in that. On that day when everything would have gone according your plans, Remi never would do a swift turn and luckily landing in Mdm. Leuwers shop. That's the instinct of an artist.

  5. En effet, il doit avoir le pif pour trouver un tel trésor, ton Remi!

    And Madame Leuwers-Mohr seems to have it too, if I look at the colour combinations. Very nice, especially the darkpurple matching the rough wooden surfaces.
    I am still hoping to end up with a similar carreer or trade in the area. (;

    And of course in autumn it is still warm enough but not as hot as in summer when you catch a cold in stepping out of the car soaked wet to walk into a fridge-like supermarket. o: How do you deal with this?

  6. I generally don't every comment, though I have followed you so long. I am so excited that I will be shopping south France in a few weeks myself and this post reminded me why I love the wonderful shops there. I must choose what I really love the most, in order to have room for it in my return. And that is not an easy task. I am hoping fall weather will come soon to our 100 degree days in Oklahoma.

  7. A belated happy birthday Heather…what a delight and find…did you take everything? 😉 xx

  8. Buy one and return another time. Oscillation of choices between the many desirables objects may give one headache or pleasure. Returning back will always remain a pleasure.

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