What is L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts?
Founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts offers the public the chance to discover the craftsmanship, gemology and history of jewelry-making through a range of courses, talks, research projects, exhibitions and publications, in Paris and across the world. Open to all, the exhibitions participate fully in the core mission of L'ÉCOLE to promote the art of jewelry to the general public.
Do I need to have done any training prior to registering for L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts?
It's not required as courses are open to everyone without prerequisites.
Does L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts provide professional training or lead to a qualification?
L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is not a professional training school and does not issue qualifications. However, we do regularly welcome professionals looking to improve their knowledge of the jewelry-making world in the fields of jewelry history, gemology and jewelry craftsmanship. We issue certificates upon completion of the course.
Do I need to follow courses in a specific order?
There is no need to follow the courses in a specific order. Throughout the year, L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts offers an exclusive program of around 20 courses, chosen à la carte, according to your preferences and availability.
Please contact us to establish a program that will best suit you.
Please be aware that the lapidary class is composed of two parts and it is essential to have taken the first course before registering for the second.
Is L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts affiliated with the CPF (Centre Professionnel de Formation)?
L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is not a professional training school, it is an introductory school intended for the general public. Our training does not lead to qualifications as we do not possess a CPF code.
However, participating in our courses is often accepted by training establishments.
How do you sign up to a course?
After you have checked the calendar and selected a course, you can enroll online on this page. Follow the secure payment process to carry out your purchase. In order to do this, you will be asked to create an account, or if you already have one you can just log in.
You will then receive a confirmation email and your enrollment will be validated.
You can also reserve, pay or ask for advice by phone on: +33 1 70 70 38 40
How much does L'ÉCOLE cost?
Exhibitions are free and In-Person Conversations cost €40. The price of our courses varies from €15 (for children) to €350.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept bank cards for online payments. We also accept bank transfers and checks, but in order to carry out these payments, please phone us on +33 1 70 70 38 40 before reserving.
What is the duration of a course?
L'ÉCOLE offers an exclusive program of courses, to be chosen à la carte, in French or in English.
Lasting 2 to 4 hours, they are led by gemologists, art historians, master jewelers and artistic craftspeople, according to original teaching methods.
We ask students to arrive to the school at least 15 minutes before the start of classes to get to know their teachers while enjoying a buffet in the main lounge. Participants of different courses will have the chance to meet each other and talk during breaks.
Who are the students?
The school's students come from a diverse background of over 50 nationalities, aged from 5 to over 90 years old, from stone enthusiasts to those passionate about craftsmanship or simply just interested in discovering a new world and type of art offered by jewelry.
Where do the courses take place?
In Paris. The student's entrance is at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 75009 Paris.
Are your exhibitions free? And where will they take place? Is it necessary to register before visiting?
Our exhibitions are free to access at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 75009 Paris and you do need to register beforehand.
Are your exhibitions open to groups?
Yes of course, groups (of more than 15 people) are welcome. However, for group visits, you need to make a reservation beforehand by phone on +33 1 70 70 38 02 or by email (contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com). Group visits are free and take place during the week from 12 pm to 2 pm or 4:30 pm to 7 pm.
I would like to buy a course for a friend, what do I need to do?
Buy a gift certificate! To buy a gift certificate or validate a pre-existing code, go to this page.
I made a mistake when ordering or the course date I chose no longer suits me, how can I change it?
If you have any doubts about the validation of your enrollment or you wish to change an order, email us at contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com or phone us on +33 1 70 70 38 40.
We must be informed of any cancellation at least one week before the course begins.
I have not received a confirmation email after ordering, will my enrollment still be valid?
To make sure your enrollment has been confirmed, you can check your order history within the "my account" section.
If you have any questions, please email us at contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com or phone us on +33 1 70 70 38 40.
What do the talks involve?
The talks take place once a month, usually in the evening, and bring together 75 people alongside two experts. Each conference focuses on a subject related to contemporary creation, jewelry traditions or historic jewelry. Curiosity and exchanges are the keywords of these exclusive moments.
To access the schedule of future talks and sign up for them, go to the school's website in the "Talks" section.
Is it possible to organize a private course with L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts?
Yes, it's possible to organize one or several private courses for individuals or companies.
Our options range from hiring one of our spaces to organizing tailored courses, which can vary from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
You will find all of the relevant information and contacts for these options on this page: https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/en/corporate-events
Please do not hesitate to email us at contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com or phone us on +33 1 70 70 38 40.
How often do courses take place and what is the schedule and program for the courses?
L'ÉCOLE offers monthly sessions (with the exception of August), meaning that each course runs once per month, to be chosen à la carte, in English or in French. The program for classes is available a few terms in advance. You can consult the calendar, the program for monthly sessions and reserve your place at this address.
What is the schedule for the courses?
Courses take place during the week, from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm in the morning and 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the afternoon with the exception of the "Introduction to Jewelry" course: 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Talks take place in the evenings from 8 pm to 10 pm.
How many students are there per course?
Courses are arranged in small groups. There can be six, eight or twelve participants depending on the course, to encourage an exclusive interaction with the teachers, allowing you to experiment with movements, become familiar with ancient jewelry and learn about the different jewelry professions and their craftsmanship.
What languages are the courses taught in?
Our courses are taught in French and English. We can also provide you with an interpreter for another language. For a quote, please contact us by email at contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com or by phone on +33 1 70 70 38 40.
Is there a minimum age required to take part in the courses offered by L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts?
With the exceptions of the workshops designed for children (5-12) and teenagers (12-16), courses, and talks, offered by L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts are intended for adults (over the age of 18).
Do I need to have any specific material to be able to attend courses?
The school provides you with everything you will need. As such, it is not necessary to bring and specific material.
Do the courses and talks only take place in Paris?
The school's international mission leads it to travel around the world, where it encounters an increasingly diverse audience.
L'ÉCOLE recently opened a permanent campus in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai and has traveled to Lyon, New York and Tokyo, to offer a vast range of courses, talks and exhibitions.
To find out more about the school's program abroad, you can visit this page and reserve the courses and talks that interest you.
I am no longer able to attend your courses, can I follow the program online?
L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts does not offer online courses. Its unique journey of interaction and discovery works with the experimentation and interaction between students and their teachers.
However, we do provide you with free educational content "To go further" aimed at increasing your exploration of the world of jewelry in the e-library section of our website: https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/fr/en/videos-go-further
Who are the instructors at the school?
The teaching team is made up of more than sixty different instructors: jewelers, gem setters, lacquerers, enamelers, designers, model makers, art historians, gemologists, plastics artists, stone cutters and more.
They have all been chosen for their wealth of expertise in their respective fields and their passion for teaching and sharing their knowledge.
How do I get to the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau on the Grands Boulevards?
L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Grands Boulevards) site is easily accessible by public transport:
- metro lines 8 and 9 (Grands Boulevards stop)
- by bus, lines 20, 39 or 48 (Grands Boulevards stop)
- by RER A (Auber stop), then walk about 10-15 minutes to Boulevard Montmartre, or change to metro line 8.
Will there be classes at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau?
The Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau hosts temporary exhibitions, courses, talks, and creative workshops, as well as France's first bookshop and library dedicated entirely to the jewelry arts.
What are the opening hours for the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau?
The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, with a nocturne on Thursday until 9:00 pm. The exhibition will be closed on Mondays and from September 13 to 17, on July 26, August 15, September 27 and 28.
Courses are available from Monday to Saturday. Timetables are specific to each course and are specified at the time of booking.
What activities are offered on the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau site?
L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Grands Boulevards) site hosts temporary exhibitions, courses, talks and creative workshops, as well as France's first library entirely dedicated to the jewelry arts, and a unique bookshop: L'Escarboucle.
Will classes still be held on rue Danielle Casanova? Do I need to make a reservation to come to the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau?
Our historic site, L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Place Vendôme), 31 rue Danielle Casanova, is closing for renovation on July 1 and will reopen in spring 2025. During this period, classes will be held at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Grands Boulevards), Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 75009.
L'Escarboucle bookshop is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm.
Courses, talks, library, exhibition: booking is mandatory.
I had already booked my visit to the “Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française” exhibition last October, but my slot was cancelled. Should I book a new slot?
You will receive an e-mail with the possibility of registering for new slots. If you have not received an e-mail, please contact us at exposition.ecole@vancleefarpels.com.
I had booked a group visit to the exhibition. How can I reschedule it?
You will receive an e-mail asking you to book a new visit. If you haven't received an e-mail, please contact us at exposition.ecole@vancleefarpels.com
I would like to book a group visit to the exhibition. Is this available? What are the conditions?
Please note the following conditions for group visits:
- The service includes a 45-minute guided tour of the exhibition* ;
- 20 people maximum per group (when booking, 1 ticket corresponds to the purchase of a visit for a group of 20 people);
- Price: €250 excluding VAT;
- Payment only by credit card on the dedicated website page.
*Please note that other people will be present in the exhibition at the time of the visit, although the capacity of the proposed slots is reduced.
Will the rue Danielle Casanova site be closing? Will there still be activities there?
Our historic site L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Place Vendôme), 31 rue Danielle Casanova, is closing for renovation on July 1 and will reopen in spring 2025. During this period, classes will be held at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Grands Boulevards), Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 75009.
I had already booked a course to take place on rue Danielle Casanova. Will the class continue at this address or will it be held at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau?
From July 1, all classes will take place at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Paris - Grands Boulevards), Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 75009.
Will the L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts sites in Paris close during the Olympic Games?
No, and the Games Pass is not necessary to access the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau during the Olympic Games.
Will L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts close during the summer?
No, the School will remain open.
What are the library opening hours?
The library is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm, and is accessible by appointment via bibliotheque@vancleefarpels.com.
On August 2, 2024, the library will be open from 2pm to 6pm.
From August 27 to August 30, 2024, the library will be open from 2pm to 6pm.
The library will be closed from August 5 to August 26, 2024.
Is the site accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Please note that all exhibition areas are accessible to people with reduced mobility via elevators.
Equipped sanitary facilities are also available near reception and on the 1st floor. To locate them, please ask at the reception desk on arrival.
Any other questions?
Email us at contact@lecolevancleefarpels.com or phone us on +33 1 70 70 38 40.