If you take a seat at La Caravelle, the hotel's bar-restaurant Belle-Vue On Marseille's Old Port, you might be sitting on a piece of French industrial heritage. Twenty Baumann chairs—from the legendary factory that closed in 2003—make up part of the furniture here. Let's delve into this decorative signature that blends vintage design with Marseille's identity.
Baumann: 102 years of a French furniture icon
The adventure began in 1901 in Colombier-Fontaine, in the Doubs region of France. Émile Baumann, a Swiss cabinetmaker living in Franche-Comté, founded a factory specializing in a technique still relatively uncommon at the time: steam-bent wood , a method inherited from the Thonet school. This process allows fine woods (beech, ash) to be bent into perfect arcs without breaking the wood fibers. The result: lightweight, sturdy chairs with clean lines, available in hundreds of models.
In the 1960s and 70s, Baumann became the French benchmark for bentwood furniture. The factory employed up to 650 people , supplied restaurants, brasseries and bistros throughout France, and signed prestigious collaborations — notably the famous Lido model , designed for the Parisian cabaret.
Then came the competition from molded plastic chairs, which were quicker to produce and less expensive. The factory survived for over twenty years, but finally went bankrupt in 2003. The brand instantly became a sought-after item for collectors and antique dealers: classic Baumann models were snapped up at the Paris flea markets, in specialized sales, and on vintage design websites.
Twenty Baumanns at the Hotel Belle-Vue — the story of love at first sight
In the spring of 2008, during a stay in Paris, the team from the Hotel Belle-Vue found at the Saint-Ouen flea market a lot of 20 Baumann chairs from a former restaurant. The choice was quickly made: the patina of the wood, the intact robustness, the silhouette that would perfectly complement the high ceilings and 19th-century moldings of the Belle-VueThe transaction is completed within the day.
Today, these twenty pieces furnish the La Caravelle bar-restaurant on the hotel's ground floor. They have witnessed over fifteen years of breakfasts overlooking the Old Port, Thursday jazz concerts, and long evenings. Not one has given way.
How to recognize a genuine Baumann chair
- The stamp : a hot iron applied under the seat (marked "Baumann" + model reference), sometimes accompanied by a period paper label
- The backrest is made of curved beech slatsassembled without visible nails or screws
- A hand-fluted seat or in one-piece molded plywood
- The weight Surprisingly lightweight for its robustness — the hallmark of steamed wood
- Natural wear The varnish and the feet, a sign of long use and authenticity
Vintage in Marseille: a dialogue between Provence and industry
Marseille may not have the manufacturing tradition of Saint-Étienne or Franche-Comté, but the city has always had a taste for French industrial furniture—perhaps because for a century and a half, the port imported everything France produced before shipping it throughout the Mediterranean. Today, several Marseille establishments capitalize on this blend: restored heritage settings, carefully selected vintage furniture, and pieces bearing the signatures of defunct French manufacturers.
The hotel Belle-Vue fits perfectly within this lineage. To delve deeper, consult our articles dedicated to the hotel design renovation and Marseilles identity of the decor.
Where can I see other Baumann pieces in Marseille and Provence?
- The flea markets of Cours Julien (1st Sunday of the month): a few coins appear regularly
- La Sablettes flea market (Place Castellane, 2nd Saturday): more oriented towards mid-20th century French furniture
- The antique dealers of Sainte Street and Edmond Rostand Street : more selective approach, prices to match : more discerning prices
- En Provence, the city ofL'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (1 hour from Marseille by car) remains one of the European capitals of vintage furniture, with its large Sunday morning market
FAQ — Vintage furniture and boutique hotels
How much does an original Baumann chair cost in 2026?
Prices range from €80 to €400 for standard models, and up to €1,200 for rare signed pieces (Lido model, original caned series, collaborative designs). Prices have tripled in the fifteen years since the factory closed.
Is it permissible to sit on these chairs during a hotel stay?
Of course — these aren't museum pieces behind a glass case. They're part of everyday life at La Caravelle. The furniture is made to be used; that's the spirit of the house.
Are there any other designer pieces in the hotel?
Yes — a listed original staircase, restored 19th-century moldings, custom-made lighting, and works by contemporary Marseille artists (rotating exhibitions in the common areas). Our article on decoration and design details everything.
The hotel Belle-Vue Is it officially recognized for its heritage?
The hotel has been awarded the Green Key label for its environmental commitment (since 2012, the first hotel in Marseille to be certified) and its 19th-century architecture is part of the Old Port's heritage area. The building is regularly restored with respect for the historical identity of the neighborhood.
Book your design stay in the Old Port
To discover the Baumann chairs (and the rest of the decor) in person, nothing beats breakfast at La Caravelle or a drink at the end of the day. Book your room at the Hotel Belle-Vue facing the Old Port of Marseille.
