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The iconic French mailbox becomes a design object
It’s been part of the French streetscape for decades. La Poste’s yellow mailbox, instantly recognizable, adorns homes, apartment buildings, and street corners across the country. A familiar fixture that holds a certain nostalgia. Now it’s getting a second life thanks to La Boîte Jaune, a company reimagining this everyday item as a coveted design piece.
The driving force behind the project is Sophie Dounont.
“I always told myself that when I had my own house, I’d have a proper mailbox. But there wasn’t anything really attractive available in France,” she explains.
Sophie has long been familiar with this particular mailbox. It’s made by the Dejoie foundry in Nantes, a historic establishment and La Poste’s official foundry—one with family ties through her husband’s side. The design exists, the original mold is still there, and the craftsmanship remains intact. The concept came together naturally: why not offer this iconic piece to individual homeowners?
Staying true to the original French postbox
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
Sophie approached the foundry with her idea.
“I asked if they’d let me sell them commercially. They said there was already interest. So we went for it.”
The classic models—the 1945 Small Model and 1950 Large Model—are now being produced again in Nantes at the original foundry. Cast in aluminum, they’re durable, recyclable, and corrosion-resistant. Certified by La Poste, these boxes meet all safety and capacity standards while handling modern requirements, including small package deliveries.
Functional, robust, and built to last, they work equally well on contemporary homes and period buildings.
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
Bringing the mailbox indoors
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
It didn’t take long for the object to evolve beyond its original function.
“Some places can’t accommodate an outdoor mailbox, but the design itself has instant appeal. We realized we could bring it inside.”
The yellow box transforms into a key holder, hidden bar, medicine cabinet, or jewelry box. It becomes part of the interior decor while evoking ideas of home, connection, and anticipation—all while keeping its iconic shape.
From utility to art
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
La Boîte Jaune has also become a canvas for contemporary artists. Sophie works with creators from different disciplines.
“We commission artists, and the box becomes artwork.”
Some collaborations lean graphic, others more subtle, turning the mailbox into one-of-a-kind pieces or limited editions. Each artistic intervention reinterprets the object without changing its original form.
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
French craftsmanship goes global
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
La Boîte Jaune now attracts private buyers as well as hotels, boutiques, and luxury brands looking for a distinctive decorative or branding element. Prices range from €450 to over €2,000 for artist collaborations and collector’s pieces.
While France remains the core market, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands have proven equally receptive.
“These markets really appreciate good design. I’m selling as much in Germany as I am in France now.”
The boxes have also found their way to Japan, the United States, and Australia—symbols of French craftsmanship with global appeal.
What’s ahead
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
Future plans build on this vision. A companion doorbell is in development, echoing the mailbox’s aesthetic with a modern twist. There’s also a new model in the works—more streamlined and more affordable.
The core philosophy remains unchanged.
“A mailbox made in France. Sturdy, secure, and sized for packages. Built to last.”
With La Boîte Jaune, Sophie Dounont has elevated an everyday object, positioning it where heritage, design, and daily life intersect.
- La Boîte Jaune
- 6 Route du Bas Brivin 44500 La Baule-Escoublac
- https://www.laboitejaune.fr/
La Boîte Jaune ; WeAreKollectors – Salon Maison&Objet 2026
