Studio Reutlinger Take the survey

Paris knows how to transform whoever steps in front of the lens.

Around 1850, Charles Reutlinger opened a portrait studio on Boulevard Montmartre and went on to photograph Sarah Bernhardt, La Belle Otero and Cléo de Mérode. More than 170 years later, we are bringing the name back to life.

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In preparation · Opening soon in Paris

Chapter I · History

A story born with photography

Barely a decade after photography was invented, Charles Reutlinger opened his own studio in Paris. Hand-painted backdrops, colonnades, light composed as if for the theatre: every portrait was a performance. All of Paris wanted to sit for him — Sarah Bernhardt first, then the queens of Parisian nightlife: Cléo de Mérode, Liane de Pougy, La Belle Otero, and later Mata Hari.

  1. 1850

    Charles Reutlinger opens a portrait studio in Paris, later settling at 21 Boulevard Montmartre.

  2. 1867

    The studio wins first prize at the Paris Exposition Universelle.

  3. 1880

    His brother Émile takes over and carries the family's portrait art forward.

  4. 1890

    The third generation, Léopold-Émile, arrives: Belle Époque stars flock to the studio, and its postcards travel all over Europe — “viral” long before the internet.

  5. 2026

    Two Parisians decide to give the Reutlinger name a new life.

La Belle Otero — photograph by Reutlinger
La Belle OteroStudio Reutlinger© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Portrait of a woman — photograph by Reutlinger
Portrait of a womanStudio Reutlinger© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Woman on a balcony — photograph by Reutlinger
Woman on a balconyStudio Reutlinger© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Arthur Meyer, man of letters — photograph by Reutlinger
Arthur Meyer, man of lettersStudio Reutlinger · c. 1900 · Félix Potin, 2nd collection© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Magnier, performer — photograph by Reutlinger
Magnier, performerStudio Reutlinger · c. 1900 · Félix Potin, 2nd collection© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Portrait of a young woman — photograph by Reutlinger
Portrait of a young womanCharles Reutlinger · Second Empire© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Portrait of Mastio — photograph by Reutlinger
Portrait of MastioStudio Reutlinger© Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Portrait of Rioton — photograph by Reutlinger
Portrait of RiotonStudio Reutlinger© Musée d'Orsay, Paris

From the collections of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris

The studio was never just four walls, but a promise: to walk out different from the way you walked in.

Chapter II · Revival

Today, Reutlinger is reborn

Yesterday, the people walking into Studio Reutlinger were actresses and the queens of Parisian nightlife. Today, it's you — travelling from all over the world to Paris, hoping to capture yourself at your most beautiful. We want to bring that spirit of the staged portrait back to the streets and salons of Paris, reimagined for today.

I

Paris is the set

The Louvre, the Opéra Garnier, the Palais-Royal, Montmartre… the whole city is our hand-painted backdrop.

II

Every photo is a performance

Costume, hair and make-up, posing and light — we direct it all. You simply enjoy the moment of being seen.

III

Peace of mind

A team that speaks your language, transparent prices, a clear process and a plan B for rainy days. On holiday, photos should be the last thing you worry about.

We are Mathieu and François. We live in the very neighbourhood where Reutlinger once worked, and we love Parisian culture and photography. The project is still taking shape: before we open our doors, we want to hear from you.

Chapter III · The experience

What you can look forward to

We are refining six costume worlds, staged both in period studio sets and at Paris landmarks. Which one we launch first is up to your vote.

Three Parisienne chic portraits: black blazer and beret by the Seine and Eiffel Tower, on the street and at a café terraceLa Parisienne

Parisienne chic

La Parisienne

Today's Parisian elegance: trench coat, beret, little black dress. Photographed “naturally” at a corner café or along the Seine, like a true Parisienne.

MontmartreThe SeineEiffel Tower
Three Robe Empire portraits: an ivory high-waisted gown under a colonnade, pale blue and pink gowns in a palace and gardenRobe Empire

Empire gown

Robe Empire

High-waisted, flowing and classical — the Napoleonic gown tells the story of historic Paris without feeling like fancy dress. Pose “inside the painting”, in front of a canvas from the same era.

LouvreOpéra GarnierVersailles
Three oriental-style portraits: a red hanfu among the Buren columns of the Palais-Royal, a pale green hanfu by the Tuileries fountain, and a white top with a red and gold mamianqun on Place VendômeHanfu · Mamianqun

Oriental elegance

Hanfu · Mamianqun

Wear a hanfu or a mamianqun through Paris: Eastern elegance meets Haussmann architecture. A statement of cultural pride that never fails to turn heads.

Palais-RoyalTuileriesPlace Vendôme
Three Belle Époque portraits: a rose Edwardian gown and plumed hat on the Palais Garnier steps, a lace dress by an Art Nouveau Métro entrance, a lace parasol under the Grand Palais glass roofBelle Époque

Belle Époque

Paris, circa 1900

Lace high collars, the S-bend silhouette, wide feathered hats and lace parasols — Paris around 1900, the very golden age of the Reutlinger studio. Step back into the Art Nouveau streets and the opera house.

Opéra GarnierPont Alexandre IIIGrand Palais
Three Années folles portraits: a black beaded fringe dress beside a vintage car on the Champs-Élysées at night, a feathered headband and cigarette holder in an Art Deco bar, an emerald sequinned dress with furAnnées folles

Roaring Twenties

Années folles

Long pearls, beaded fringe dresses, finger waves and feather headbands — the freedom and modernity of Jazz Age Paris. Captured in an Art Deco bar or on the Champs-Élysées at night.

Champs-ÉlyséesMontparnasseArt Deco bar
Three Baroque & Rococo portraits: a pale pink panniered court gown with a fan in the Hall of Mirrors, a blue floral gown in a gilded salon, a powder-blue gown with a lace parasol in the gardens of VersaillesBaroque & Rococo

Baroque & Rococo

Louis XIV · Marie-Antoinette

Panniers, silk, lace cuffs and a painted fan: the court splendour of Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette. Be the lady of Versailles among gilded mirrors and formal French gardens.

VersaillesHall of MirrorsVaux-le-Vicomte
  1. Book before you flyPick your theme, place and time from home.
  2. Hair & make-upA professional artist styles you for your costume and skin.
  3. Shoot in ParisYour photographer leads you into the scene and guides every pose.
  4. Pick on the spotPreview your shots right away and choose your favourites.
  5. Retouched deliveryPolished photos arrive fast, ready to share.

These concepts are still in development — formats and prices will be shaped by the survey results.

Chapter IV · Survey

Your Paris, your call

This survey takes about 3–4 minutes and is almost all multiple choice. Your answers will directly decide the costumes, places, formats and prices we launch with.

IYour dream shoot
For a shoot in Paris, what would you rather wear?Pick one
Where would you most like to be photographed?Pick up to 3
Which format appeals to you most?Pick one · prices per person

* Landmark express: pick an outfit at our shop next to the landmark, a photographer comes along; about 30 min, photos on the spot.

** Double Paris: a retro studio session + a shoot at a Paris landmark, two sets of photos.

Who would you most like to shoot with?
IIBudget, services & booking
Per person, how much would you spend on one shoot?
Which services matter most to you?Pick up to 4
Where do you usually come across photoshoots?Pick any
When do you usually book?
How would you prefer to book?
IIIYou and Paris
Where are you from?
Your age?
You and Paris
IVA few last words
Optional · leave a contact and you’ll be the first to know when we open

Leave a contact and you’ll get priority for our very first sessions.

How can we reach you?

By submitting this survey, you agree that your answers and contact details will be processed in line with our privacy policy.