A look Inside Maison Empereur: France’s Oldest Hardware Store
Nestled deep in the Noailles district of Marseille, France (better known as the belly of Marseille), is a hardware store named Maison Empereur. It’s a hardware store unlike any other hardware store I’ve ever seen. So, if you find yourself in the south of France and have a little time, it’s definitely worth taking a detour and making a visit.
Here’s why Maison Empereur is worth a visit
Walking into Maison Empereur feels like stepping back in time. Founded in 1827, it is France’s oldest hardware store that somehow maintains the old-world charm that made me want to explore every corner. But don’t let the word “hardware store” fool you. This is no ordinary hardware store. Yes, you’ll find hammers, nails, even copper nails, and tools. But you’ll also find French linens, vintage enamelware, kitchen essentials, toys, clothing, and even some quirky finds you never expected.
The building itself, the design, and layout alone are worth the visit. The old wooden floors are creaky, and the ceilings are high in some areas and low in others. The shelves are stacked to the top, and the organized chaos of it all makes it an experience. Everywhere you look, there’s something to discover—a shiny copper pot, a simple wooden brush, a set of high-end knives, or a set of old hinges you’d never find anywhere else. It’s a place where French tradition and craftsmanship seem to be celebrated, and where many of the items almost feel like they have a story to tell.
Maison Empereur isn’t just a store; it’s an experience. Locals shop here for practical items, but for visitors, it’s a window into the French way of life. You’ll leave with an appreciation for quality, beauty in the everyday, and the little things that can make a house a home.
Brooms, baskets, brushes, and cleaning supplies
The presentation at Maison Empereur can make even the most ordinary items look interesting. And nowhere is that more true than in the section with brooms, brushes, and traditional cleaning supplies and equipment. It seems like every piece is thoughtfully chosen, from long-handled straw brooms to natural fiber brushes and dustpans. Even the simplest products look intriguing. They make humble household tools look beautiful. It’s the kind of section that makes you want to add things to your home that are functional and made with care.
Clothing, bags, and toys
One of the most surprising things for me inside Maison Empereur is how much more it is than just a hardware store. Among the tools and kitchen gadgets, you’ll find timeless French workwear — classic blue cotton chore jackets, sturdy aprons, and canvas totes that feel both practical and fun. There are also shelves filled with charming wooden toys, puzzles, and small treasures for children — the kind that remind you of an old-fashioned Christmas and the way things used to be. Everything here feels beautifully made and like it was designed to last.
Hardware
At its core, Maison Empereur remains a true hardware store. The walls are lined with neatly arranged tools, polished brass fittings, wood planes, strap hinges of all shapes and sizes, and drawers full of screws, nails, knobs, and handles. I couldn’t resist buying some little copper nails. I’ll find a way to use them.
It’s organized in a way that only a historic store can pull off. The aisles are narrow and the atmosphere is slightly chaotic. The old stairs that creak as you walk up them feel nostalgic. It’s easy to imagine generations of locals coming here for exactly what they needed — and always finding it.
Kitchenware
If you love French kitchens like I do, it’s easy to lose yourself in this section. Maison Empereur’s kitchenware collection includes everything from copper pots and molds. There’s enamelware, plates, baking pans, whisks, tart molds, and traditional coffee grinders. There’s something so inspiring about seeing these pieces all together in this atmosphere. They seem like tools for everyday cooking that could last a lifetime. I couldn’t walk through this section without thinking about making something delicious at home.
Lighting and lighting supplies
The lighting section filled me with ideas for lighting fixtures I’d like to create. But since we’d just spent two full days at flea markets and filled every square inch of our bags, I had to put those ideas on hold. Maybe next time. There will be a next time.
There were drawers and bins full of bulbs, vintage-style fixtures, and shades. Whether you’re restoring an old lamp or dreaming up a new one, this part of the store has all the little details you didn’t even know you needed. The mix of old and new is what makes Maison Empereur so unique.
Soaps and even sinks
Of course, there were the rows of traditional Marseille soaps. After all, we were in the French soap capital. They had big cubes of olive oil and lavender-scented bars stacked neatly in wooden crates. I couldn’t leave without buying a few to take home with me (you can see them in the soap dishes for sale in our store). Alongside the soap and hanging on a wall were vintage-style porcelain sinks and accessories. There was even the classic wall-mount soap holder, along with a bar of soap to accompany it. I sometimes see them in the bathrooms of restaurants in Paris. There’s just something timeless about them.
Maison Empereur fun fact
Maison Empereur was founded in 1827 by Francois Empereur. The Empereur family has maintained ownership of the store for seven generations. Their founding principle is “every day, quality products”. Today, the store has over 50,00 products in its three stories.
And if all of that isn’t interesting enough, the store also has an Airbnb on the second floor above the store. It functions as an apartment/museum honoring the family and their commitment to the hardware store.
The store details
Maison Empereur really is an experience, not just another store. Maybe it’s more like a living museum where you can actually buy the exhibits. It’s definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the south of France with a little extra time for a detour. You’re almost guaranteed to leave with something that, over the years, will continually remind you of your visit.
The location
Maison Empereur – 4 Rue des Récolettes, 13001 Marseille, France
The store hours
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 7:00 and closed on Sundays.
Parking for the store
There is plenty of public parking nearby, and you can just follow the signs. There are plenty of them. We got lucky and found a place to park on the street just a few blocks away.
If you’re travelling by train
If you happen to be travelling by train, Maison Empereur is about a 15-minute walk from the main train station (Marseille Saint-Charles Train Station). And if you don’t feel like walking, you can grab a taxi or an Uber from the train station.
