PORTES ANCIENNES VILLARD & BELAÎCHE

 

PORTES ANCIENNES salvages and restores antique doors - entry doors, communicating doors and closet doors - blending modern skills and techniques with the splendor and sophistication of old-fashioned craftsmanship. Every door is a rarity, a historical work of art, a bond with the elegance of a bygone era.

A lifetime of experience

Michel Villard and Christian Belaïche, expert craftsmen and founders of Portes Anciennes, have been restoring antique doors for 19 years. Hélène Pichotin, who joined the team 5 years ago, manages domestic and international business, and brings a touch of feminine style and sensibility to the renovation of each piece.

A team of skilled craftsmen

A core team of more than 20 skilled craftsmen work to restore otherwise forgotten or neglected doors; the accumulated experience and expertise of our craftsmen grows every year as new specialists join the team. From stripping to French polishing, we seek excellence in all areas of restoration; our craftsmen work in:

a carpentry workshop
a cabinet-making workshop
two French polish finishing workshops
an iron workshop
more than 3 500 m² of showrooms
Take home a work of art

Our expert care and attention to detail means that all our doors are lovingly restored to their original condition, with added character and a personal touch from a team of craftsmen who put their heart and soul into the work that you take home.

More than 15,000 antique doors

With 19 years of passionate and patient research in hand, Portes Anciennes offers an exclusive collection of more than 15,000 antique doors.



Customized production for the USA

For 10 years, we have applied the old-fashioned skills and techniques of antique door manufacture to the creation of antique replicas.

All our replica doors are fully customizable for size, balancing the grace of antique design with contemporary motifs; the result is a harmonic mélange of ancient and modern, beautifully illustrated by “La Rocaille”, pictured here.

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The selection process

We start with a general description from you which we refine until we have made a personalized selection. Ideally, we would then walk you through our workshops, share with you some of our experience, and help you make a final choice. Alternatively, you may send us your ideas, preferences, design sketches or specifications by mail, email, fax or Fedex. We will send you detailed photographs and price lists.

Every door is unique – we do not restore or make two the same – and our customers appreciate the attention we give to the selection process; you are taking home a door that we care as deeply about as you. Whilst there is no catalog of standard sizes, characteristics or prices, we are accustomed to working with clients from around the world; all we need from you is an idea of size, style and any additional description you might like to put forward. We’ll send you suggestions and an approximate quote.

Our online catalog is a great place to start.

Ordering, collection and shipping

We aim to have your door ready for you as soon as possible; depending on requirements, work may take 3 weeks to 6 months to complete.

If you cannot collect you door from us, we do ship internationally; you may choose your own shipping company or you may leave it to us. The cost of shipping to the USA varies from state to state; in general, please allow for at least €1000.

Customs regulations

We manage all customs administration as far as the destination airport, including the new international ISPM 15 packaging standard. ISPM 15 requirements apply to wood packaging materials.

If we export doors that are more than 100 years old, the French Minister of Culture requires an export permit and an export license; we look after this on behalf of our customers.

In some countries, for example America, there are import tax advantages available.