After 16 years of closure, the self-proclaimed “smallest of the Parisian grand stores,” La Samaritaine, is set to reopen its doors on June 23. This iconic establishment aims to establish itself as a hybrid retail temple, combining ultra-luxury with accessibility. The restoration of the building has been nothing short of remarkable, with the Art Nouveau structure, known as Pont Neuf, designed by Frantz Jourdain in 1910, and its Art Deco annex, designed by Henri Sauvage in 1928, restored to their former glory. The grand central staircase, adorned with 16,000 gold leaves, shines once again, as does the Peacock Fresco situated under the 1907 glass roof, which now changes color as the light shifts.
La Samaritaine faces the challenge of reestablishing its identity in a market already saturated with department stores in Paris. Mandated by its owner LVMH, DFS, a leading travel retail company, has designed a retail journey focused on curation. With a surface area of only 20,000m2 compared to its competitors, Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, which boast 45,000m2 and 70,000m2 respectively, La Samaritaine focuses on selection. While the store does have shop-in-shop areas, 65% of its offerings are spread across “multiple” spaces. Operated by the store’s own teams, these spaces are seasonally staged and combine luxury, designer, and contemporary pieces, making up the core of La Samaritaine’s offerings.
This concept aims to attract not only foreign clientele but also a younger target audience familiar with shopping on Rue de Rivoli and in the Châtelet district. In a constantly evolving environment, there is always something surprising happening at La Samaritaine, captivating both locals and informed tourists seeking the essence of French art de vivre.
La Samaritaine prides itself on its exclusivities. For instance, the store houses Shinzo Green, a concept store dedicated to eco-friendly sneakers, and a Perrotin Store, as well as exclusive brands like SK-II, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, and Sulwhasoo within the largest beauty space in Europe, located on level -1. Embracing the fusion of different worlds, La Samaritaine also incorporates La Boutique de Loulou, a concept store that offers exclusive items in the store’s signature colors. This space will have an online presence, while a larger e-commerce project is currently in the works.
Recognizing the trend of luxury brands expanding into the gastronomic realm, La Samaritaine has integrated 12 dining spaces within its retail spaces. Visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary delights, such as music and champagne pairings at Krug Studio, personalized cookies from Sweet Corner by Bogato, “small format” creations from Dalloyau at Dinette, freshly baked bread from the on-site Ernest bakery, and sandwiches from Street Caviar. Located near the Cheval Blanc hotel, the 5th floor houses Voyage, a restaurant-bar open until 2 am, with a separate entrance from the street. This tangible representation of La Samaritaine’s vibrant atmosphere showcases its desire to become a go-to destination in Paris.
La Samaritaine will be open from Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm, at 9, rue de la Monnaie, Paris 1st.
Useful links:
– La Samaritaine Official Website
– LVMH Official Website
