"Women are queens in stores. Once inside, they must feel as if there were in a temple built in their glory." (Emile Zola)

Symbol of the French Touch and also in charge of the Parisian elegance, department stores are an institution in the city landscape. Urban fantasy, they attract the lure of the shopping spree. Tastes and trends promoters have played an important role in the emancipation of women. The democratisation of consumption did so too.

The Second Empire was the period when the concept of department store has been developed. Industrial revolution enabled mass production. All a women needed to dress up was available: drapery, haberdashery, hosiery, lace, flowers etc. Innovative practices transformed the retail trade: the bargain was not possible anymore as the prices were displayed, also admission was free. In fact everything was done to seduce the customer and to encourage him to enter: prices were attractive given the volume, sales period were invented to accelerate the inventory turnover, deliveries, mail order and advertising were all started too. With the expansion of the railway, goods could better circulate. As a consequence, provinces could easily follow the Parisian trend.

The fist born was the Bon Marché. In 1852, Aristide Bourcicaut associated himself with the owner of a small hosiery shop which sign was "Bon Marché". Within only 12 years, the "Bon Marché" became the first department store. Success was immediate. Fashion, which became increasingly important in the society, turned out to be accessible to popular classes. The opening of the Grands magasins du Louvre (1855) officialised the label "grand magasin" (department store). In 1865 the Printemps opened its doors. The Galeries Lafayette, next door competitor, also opened at that period. The arrival of the railway just nearby (Gare Saint-Lazare) and the renovation undertaken by the Baron Haussmann which gave some perspective for such large buildings, facilitated the development and success of these department stores.
La Samaritaine, founded in 1870, was built on the banks of the Seine River. The Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville came at the top of that, at the late 19th century.

"Nothing is too good for you ladies!"

Department stores distinguished themselves by their majestic architecture. On the Boulevard Haussmann, neo-byzantine domes, large internal windows, staircases and galleries offer a breathtaking view on the shelves. Plasterwork, chandeliers, gilding and all the exuberance of the Art Nouveau are there to draw the scenery and to give rise to temptation.

Shopping tour in the 5th and 6th districts of Paris

From Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Latin Quarter

Departure point: the "Bon Marché", subway station "Sèvres-Babylone" (line 12).

Make sure you stop at the large grocery store of the "Bon Marché" at No. 38, Rue de Sèvres. You will find original and quality products. If you wish, you can buy some goods to organize an outside lunch, and enjoy all this either in the opposite square, called Boursicaut, or more comfortably sitting in the "Jardin du Luxembourg". Do not forget to buy a "Le Nôtre" pastry!

But before enjoying this gustatory experience, give us some time for shopping and culture...

Cross the "Square Bourcicaut" and take the "Rue de Sèvres". On your right, you will find the "Lutetia". With its Art Deco facade, this hotel epitomizes the Parisian chic and the spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Matisse, André Gide, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Picasso are some of the numerous painters and writers who lived or stayed in this hotel, located in the artistic heart of Paris. The famous dancer Josephine Baker lived there too, as well as the adventurer Alexandra David-Neel, when she returned from her travels in the Far East. General de Gaulle spent some time in the hotel, on his wedding night. The bar of the Lutetia is famous for its quiet and sophisticated atmosphere.
Not far away, 50 meters walk, at No. 17, Hermès opened a fabulous store just recently, located in the previous swimming pool of the Lutetia. Do not hesitate to enter the store and to admire the mosaic from the very beginning.

Keep walking on the "Rue de Sèvres", then in the "Rue du Four", and turn right in the "Rue Bonaparte". At the end, when you reach the "Rue Saint-Sulpice", Saint-Sulpice Church will stand in front of you. Opening hours are 7:30am-7pm. This French classical style masterpiece dates back to 1660, and houses mural paintings made by Delacroix, Louis XV woodwork in the sacristy or even a magnificent Cavaillé-Coll organ.

Take the "Rue Saint-Sulpice" until the "Rue Odéon". Walk straight to the Odéon Theatre. This neoclassical theatre, which opened in 1782, is said to be an "Italian theatre", which means that its stage has a cubic shape and the room represents a semicircle. Walk along the theatre on the left and head toward the "Rue de Médicis" along the "Jardin du Luxembourg". On your right you will find the Senate. Enter in the garden, it is worth it.

Take the "Rue Soufflot", this will lead you in front of the "Panthéon". Here lie the great men of French liberty: Voltaire, Louis Braille, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Jean Moulin or even the Nobel Prize Marie Curie.

You stand here in the heart of the Latin Quarter. This area owes this name to the exclusive use of Latin language, until the French Revolution, between students and teachers located in the neighbourhood. This area is still very popular with students and teachers because of the presence of many universities and "Grandes Ecoles", but also highly regarded colleges and high schools. Consequently there are many bookstores and also large publishing houses around.
This district was also in the 60's, one of the major meeting places for the various student protests.

Walk down the "Rue Saint-Jacques" until you reach the "Boulevard Saint-Germain". Take the Boulevard on your left to reach Odéon area. At Odéon subway station, walk in the streets located between the "Boulevard Saint-Germain" and the "Quai de Conti": "Rue de Buci", "Rue Saint-André-des-Arts", "Rue Jacob", "Rue de Seine", "Rue Bonaparte", or even "Rue Mazarine". These streets very popular in Paris are full of beautiful shops.