L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, proudly supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, presents the captivating exhibition 'Stones and Reveries: The Poetry and Minerals of Roger Caillois' in partnership with France's esteemed Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN). This extraordinary showcase, running from November 6, 2025, to March 29, 2026, offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of the renowned twentieth-century French writer Roger Caillois (1913-1978).
The exhibition features iconic texts penned by Roger Caillois and nearly two hundred minerals from his collection, now a cherished part of the MNHN's collections. This remarkable fusion of science and poetry is the brainchild of Pr. François Farges, PhD, the curator of the exhibition and a scientist entrusted with the MNHN's collections of gems and objets d’art. Caillois, an essayist, grammarian, and poet, dedicated a significant portion of his work to exploring the intricate connections between nature and art.
Driven by his insatiable curiosity, scientific precision, and boundless imagination, Caillois became a master of the French language, collecting stones with passion and erudition for over twenty-five years. His minute contemplation of minerals inspired much of his poetic genius. The exhibition delves into Caillois's intimate ties with the mineral world, showcasing over two hundred specimens from his collection, many of which will be displayed for the first time. These specimens are brought into a profound dialogue with his texts, revealing the prolific mind of this literary figure.
Élise Gonnet-Pon, Managing Director of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts France & Europe, expresses her enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to shed light on a fascinating yet lesser-known literary figure. Our collaboration with the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, home to Roger Caillois’s collection, exemplifies our shared commitment to knowledge dissemination. We aim to surprise and inspire our visitors, encouraging them to ponder the beauty of Roger Caillois’s minerals and the depth of his mind. This exhibition will also be accompanied by a new editorial partnership with Éditions Gallimard."
Practical Information:
- Dates: November 6, 2025, to March 29, 2026
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; Thursdays until 9:00 pm
- Location: L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis, boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris
- Free admission, reservations required at https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/fr/en/exhibition/exhibition-stones-and-reveries-poetry-and-minerals-roger-caillois
About L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts:
L'ÉCOLE, established in 2012 with Van Cleef & Arpels' support, aims to introduce the public to jewelry culture through diverse activities: courses, workshops, talks, exhibitions, books, and podcasts. Its programs cover the history of jewelry, gemstones, and jewelry-making techniques, welcoming all enthusiasts, from beginners to collectors.
L'ÉCOLE has four permanent locations: Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Dubai, and regularly travels abroad for talks, exhibitions, and traveling course programs. This global presence significantly contributes to the promotion and visibility of jewelry culture.
About the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle:
The Muséum, a research center, museum, and university, has dedicated itself to studying geological, biological, and cultural diversity and the relationship between humans and nature over the last four centuries. With over 68 million specimens, its collections are exhibited at twelve locations across France, including museums, libraries, geological and prehistoric sites, and botanical and zoological gardens.
The Muséum's mineral, rock, and precious gem collections are the world's oldest, providing a platform for major fields like mineralogy, crystallography, and gemology since the eighteenth century. Preserving this rich heritage is central to the Muséum's mission, which includes the collection of Roger Caillois, a writer who revolutionized the approach to these objects.
