ABOUT US
WELCOME TO LOLO FRENCH ANTIQUES ET MORE
For more than 30 years, Lolo French Antiques et More has been dedicated to discovering and importing exceptional French antiques. We offer one of the South’s most impressive and diverse collections of period and style pieces, dating from the 17th to mid-20th century. Our passion lies in finding extraordinary pieces, and we’ve established a business that’s not only a unique place to visit and shop, but also a trusted source for your most important antique purchases. We take great pleasure in collaborating with talented designers and serving our wonderful clientele.
Whether you're new to the world of antiques or a seasoned collector, we strive to present #brownwood in a fresh and stylish light. Thank you for your support and the confidence you place in us!
Our mission is to make the often intimidating and pretentious world of antiques feel accessible and enchanting, just as we experience it. We aim to educate, inspire, and captivate both private collectors and the trade and interior design community. Beyond mere descriptions and provenance, we offer a unique and engaging perspective on antiques, encouraging you to see the old in a new way — where every piece is both timeless and modern.
MEET LAURENT AND MIMI
Laurent Gouon, affectionately known as Lolo, is the founder and owner of Lolo French Antiques et More. He and his wife, Mimi, embody the French joie de vivre, bringing a joy for living into every aspect of their lives—whether it's furniture, food, family, or folly.
Lolo's journey into the wonderful world of antiques began with a love of cooking. Born and raised in Nantes, France, he attended a French culinary school in his early teens, but his wanderlust led him to the United States by the age of seventeen. He soon found a job working as a carpenter on a sailboat and realized he truly had a knack for working with his hands. While sailing the Caribbean, he entertained vacationers with his storytelling and French cooking abilities as he honed his woodworking skills.
The inspiration to import European antiques to the United States came from Lolo’s late father, Maurice. Guided by his father’s wisdom, Lolo embarked on a career that has now spanned over thirty years. During this time, he has dedicated himself to sourcing and importing exquisite antiques from every corner of France, as well as from select regions of Spain and Italy.
While Mimi began her career at a national publishing company, she discovered her true passion when she assisted a friend with his antiques store. This experience ignited a deep love for French antiques, fine art, and the excitement of the hunt. Combining her newfound enthusiasm with her background in sales and marketing, Mimi gained the expertise and confidence to join forces with Lolo. Today, she works alongside Lolo, bringing her unique skills and fresh perspective to their shared passion for fine antiques.
THE THRILL OF THE HUNT
For Lolo and Mimi, there’s nothing like the thrill of exploring dimly lit warehouses filled with aisles and aisles of dusty old furniture stacked to the rafters. For weeks at a stretch, they wander the charming villages and towns of France from dawn till dusk, seeking out one-of-a-kind treasures. They scour bustling markets and fleas, explore hidden brocantes, visit charming family-owned shops, and traverse grand manors and châteaux — always on the hunt for the unique and the unexpected. Their journey to uncover these treasures is as rewarding as the discovery itself, and their relentless pursuit of fabulous one-of-a-kind finds is what defines their renowned collection.
EVERY PIECE TELLS A STORY
Imagine a grand 18th century monastery table, once a silent witness to monks in deep contemplation, or an elaborate longcase clock, handcrafted by a skilled ébéniste, that symbolized wealth and power in the courts of old. These kinds of treasured French antiques spark curiosity with questions of their origins, purposes, and the stories behind them. They possess a special magic that’s impossible to replicate and offer a connection to the past, revealing glimpses into the everyday lives of kings, queens, princes, and paupers. We hope you'll discover the timeless charm and modern allure of French antiques with us—where every piece tells a story.