French at heart
At Le Comptoir, France is more than just an inspiration.
It is part of our founders' story. Over many years, Martina and Christoph Hausel have been linked to France in various ways – through personal experiences, professional projects and close relationships.
Martina lived in Paris for several years, and a French influence has remained a constant feature of her work ever since. With her studio, MHI Martina Hausel Interiors, she has collaborated closely with leading French brands, their collections and the people behind them. Meanwhile, since 2002, Martina and Christoph have been supporting French companies in the German market through their communications agency, ELEMENT C. These various connections have naturally evolved into a special idea over time: Le Comptoir.
Martina Hausel
Co-Founder and Managing Director Le Comptoir
Martina combines design expertise with an understanding of brands and an entrepreneurial mindset. As Managing Director of the communications agency ELEMENT C, she is responsible for creative and strategic brand development. With MHI, she also runs her own business in the field of interior design. A graduate in graphic and communication design, she lived in Paris for several years, obtained a language diploma from the CCI Paris Île-de-France and studied at Beaux-Arts de Paris. She plays an active role in networking within the Franco-German design and communications sector.
Christoph Hausel
Co-Founder and Managing Director Le Comptoir
Christoph has more than 25 years’ experience in the fields of brand communication and brand development. As Managing Director at ELEMENT C, he supports international companies in establishing and expanding their presence in the German-speaking market – from strategic positioning, through media relations and crisis communication, to long-term brand establishment. In particular, he advises French tech companies, European venture capital firms and their portfolio companies on market entry and works with them to develop sustainable communication strategies. His legal background (Master of Laws) sharpens his focus on structured market entries, contractual frameworks and long-term partnerships.
[lə kɔ̃.twaʁ]
noun, masculine – French
In French, a comptoir is both a traditional trading counter and a bar counter, where people meet, exchange ideas and spend time together.
A place for Savoir Vivre & Business
From fabric trading house to French design address
A special idea calls for a special setting: Le Comptoir is set in a 1950s fabric trading house in Munich’s Central Quartier – a vibrant mix of gastronomy, hotels, retail, and the creative community, where different worlds effortlessly merge. This is precisely what Le Comptoir is all about: connecting different perspectives. France and Germany, brands and people, business projects and personal encounters.
That spirit of connection is reflected in our name. In French, 'le comptoir' can refer to both a traditional trading counter and the counter at a bar – a place for business, but also for casual conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
This is at the heart of what we want Le Comptoir to be: Becoming Munich’s destination for French design and French Art de Vivre. A place where brands and people meet, ideas are exchanged and business happens – with a little more ease.
The best chapter of our story is yet to be written. Together with you. We look forward to welcoming you to Le Comptoir.
