Dynastic Jewels, a journey through splendors at the Hôtel de la Marine
A heritage site that responds to adornments: the scenography creates a dialogue between woodwork and display cases, history and contemporary perspective.
From December 10, 2025, to April 6, 2026, the exhibition takes over the state rooms and the loggia of the Hôtel de la Marine to showcase three centuries of royal and imperial adornments.
Curated by Dr. Emma Edwards (Victoria and Albert Museum), the presentation gathers major loans from the Al Thani Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal Collection, Historic Royal Palaces, French national museums, as well as pieces from renowned jewelry houses such as Cartier, Chaumet, Mellerio, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The scenography plays with the verticality of the salons and carefully controlled lighting: the display cases, like little theaters, isolate the material and cut of the gems, while the woodwork and ceiling heights reintroduce the ceremonial context that shaped these objects.
Why go
Four reasons to step through the door:
Precious stones: guardians of absolute power
The first room places the stone at the heart of the story: each gem embodies trade routes, diplomacy, and the desire for possession.
Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires: the introductory scenography highlights the narrative power of stones. Among the pieces that immediately capture attention are the Golconda Star (57.31-carat diamond) and the India Briolette (90.38-carat diamond), two legendary stones from the Al Thani Collection that embody trade routes, princely patronage, and fascination with the Orient.
Editor's note
This exhibition transforms a spark into a narrative: far from a mere parade of jewels, it restores adornments to their role as political and emotional witnesses.
A rare opportunity to see how power was also written in stones.
Diadems in majesty: crowns of feminine glory
The second room lifts the gaze: diadems become instruments of visibility and markers of taste.
Eleven exceptional diadems are presented here, from the early 19th century to Art Deco, outlining the evolution of adornment codes: Leuchtenberg, Manchester, Beit, as well as pieces signed Cartier or Chaumet, converse together.
Worn during ceremonial events or given as tokens of alliance, these diadems tell us as much about the women who wore them as about the institutions they served; the room carefully situates each item in its context, including commissions, provenance, and stone reuse, transforming contemplation into understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the 'Dynastic Jewels' exhibition?
The exhibition runs from December 10, 2025, to April 6, 2026.
Where is the exhibition held and how to access it via public transport?
At the Hôtel de la Marine, 2 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris. Metro access: Concorde (lines 1, 8, 12) and Madeleine (line 14). Bus: lines 42, 45, 52, 72, 73, 84; night lines N11 and N24.
What is the entrance fee?
The full price announced for the Collection Al Thani itinerary is €13; standard discounts and exemptions may apply.
What does the itinerary present and what are its highlights?
The itinerary is organized into three sequences: one room dedicated to precious stones.
Sparkling lineages and passions of the 20th century
The final section emphasizes filiations, transmissions, and the intimate behind the public brilliance.
The third section contrasts state jewels and private adornments: brooches, necklaces, and grooming items from royal houses and private collections tell stories of transmissions, sales, dismantlings, and reinvention of adornments in the 20th century. The exhibition notably features pieces that belonged to Joséphine, Marie-Louise, or Queen Victoria and explains, through detailed labels, how these objects circulate among families and institutions.
Gallery
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