A family affair since 1946, La Maison Générale embodies timeless elegance and artisanal expertise.
Once upon a time there was La Maison Générale
A unique concept store
La Maison Générale is more than just a boutique: it's a true destination where creativity and refinement redefine the art of living. Here, you'll find an exceptional selection of antique pieces, designer furniture, linens, perfumes, tableware, and timeless clothing, featuring iconic brands such as Caravane, Cassina, Diptyque, Le Mont Saint-Michel, Maison de Vacances, Serax, and Yves Delorme, among others.
The boutique also offers Quebec products, showcasing local talent. Exclusive services such as custom curtain making and personalized support are offered. To extend the experience, a cozy tea room invites you to enjoy Mariage Frères teas and artisanal pastries in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Every detail of this space has been designed to offer a unique experience, where singularity and authenticity intertwine. This unique project is a blend of European know-how and Montreal's creative effervescence.
Generations guided by beauty
Danielle, Lucienne's daughter, takes over the business and breathes a breath of modernity into it.
Her son Dominique joins her in 2004, after studying design at ESAG Penninghen in Paris and interior architecture at IED in Rome. Since childhood, he has been driven by a passion for the beauty of simple and well-made things.
With his experience as an interior designer, he gives new scope to La Maison Générale: he expands the offer to include the entire world of the home — furniture, rugs, decorative objects — he transforms the boutique founded by his grandmother to make it a place that lives up to his vision.
In this dynamic, a second address opens in Saint-Malo. La Réserve and its tea room come into being, a 5,550 sq ft space in Saint-Malo offers a concept store, both intimate and generous, where one can extend the home experience in a spirit of encounter, slowness, and sharing.
Then in 2015, a third boutique opens in Dinard, Brittany, still blending French elegance and refinement.
A family story that crosses the ocean
Dominique has always maintained very close ties with her cousin Gwenaëlle, a Franco-Quebecker. Indeed, Dominique's uncle immigrated to Quebec in the 1970s, where he started a family of three children, including Gwenaëlle Thibaut, granddaughter of Lucienne Thibaut.
Since childhood, Dominique and Gwenaëlle have spent many summers together in Saint-Malo, during large family reunions. A natural complicity unites them, rooted in family history.
It was during a trip to Italy, jokingly, that Dominique first mentioned the idea of opening La Maison Générale in Montreal. An idea that immediately piqued Gwenaëlle's curiosity, a lawyer by training. Very quickly, this lighthearted discussion became a concrete project. Together, they decided to embark on this new transatlantic adventure.
Photo credit: MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
The General House in Montreal
After several months of deliberation, project implementation, site visits, product orders, and finally team building, the decision has been made: La Maison Générale will open its doors in Montreal on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
A highly symbolic date, as it is Lucienne Thibaut's birthday; she would have been 105 years old. A beautiful tribute to the one who started it all.
A word from Gwenaelle, co-founder of La Maison générale:
My grandmother, Lucienne Thibaut, was a woman of incredible strength, boldness, and vision. At a time when women weren't even allowed to open a bank account without their husband's permission, Lucienne not only overcame these obstacles but also created a business that has endured for over 75 years.
As a businesswoman, she has combined creativity, attention to detail, and rigorous management to grow La Maison Générale. She has built a unique space dedicated to the art of living, where beauty and authenticity coexist.