The backstage of Printemps Haussmann
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What to expect
Located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, Printemps Haussmann is a department store where leading fashion, beauty, and luxury brands are sold. They are grouped by theme in the three buildings of the store and spread across 27 floors and 43,500 square meters.Unusual Visit of Printemps Haussmann
A guide will lead you through the underground passages of the Grand Department Store to the rooftop garden, offering a breathtaking view of the capital, including the famous Art Deco dome. Explore the secrets related to the architecture, history, and operation of Printemps Haussmann, from machinery to workshops.
Duration: 1h30
No cloakroom for visitors
Many stairs - wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.
History of Printemps Haussmann
Birth of a Department Store
In 1865, the self-made man Jules Jaluzot decided to build his first store at the intersection of Boulevard Haussmann and Rue du Havre. At that time, this neighborhood was quite distant from the heart of Paris, but the entrepreneur and his accomplice, Duclos, saw the proximity to Saint Lazare station and the covered passages of the Grands Boulevards as a good way to eventually amass enough clientele. They initially purchased three floors of a luxurious Haussmannian building. It was named "Printemps." After Le Bon Marché (the first department store in Paris created in 1852), BHV, and La Samaritaine, Printemps established itself as the latest department store in the capital where all of Paris had to rush to stay at the forefront of fashion. This first version of Printemps had large windows and strongly resembled a kind of large covered market with a roof supported by columns.
Just one year after its opening, Printemps made a strong impact by introducing a true innovation that has become a tradition today: sales! Instead of discarding out-of-fashion clothing or products, why not continue to sell them at discounted prices for a defined period? The idea appealed to customers, and despite the crisis, Printemps experienced very prosperous years.
In 1874, Printemps Haussmann expanded: new floors were rented, and two houses on the neighboring Rue de Provence were annexed to the store. Iron bridges were built to connect the buildings, and, to top it off, two elevators were installed. No store of the time had yet integrated such innovations. Following these developments, the store enjoyed a very good reputation throughout the capital. The expansion continued in the following years with the acquisition of new neighboring buildings and the purchase of a fourth facade on Rue de Caumartin.
However, in 1881, a massive fire completely destroyed the buildings of the Grand Department Store. Only the recently acquired buildings on Rue de Caumartin escaped the disaster. Jaluzot quickly recovered and rebuilt the structure. The architecture of the new Printemps then became the epitome of the modern department store.
Change of Leadership and Pursuit of Grand Ambitions
In 1905, the leadership changed hands, and Gustave Laguionie took over Printemps with great ambition. Laguionie wanted to further enlarge the store so that goods were visible to the maximum and appealed to customers. The architectural style of the new Printemps Haussmann was magnificent: topped with a finely crafted huge dome and a terrace with a panoramic view, it became THE luxury department store of the early 20th century.
If a new fire ravaged the store in 1923, the second reconstruction - based on the same pre-disaster plans - was as swift as the first. A new stained glass dome, a symbol of the store, was installed. Shortly after the construction, Printemps Haussmann decided to create a sensation by organizing exhibitions inside the buildings and transforming its windows into true works of art. It was also in the early 20th century that the animated Christmas windows were created, which we can still admire today during the holiday season.
Printemps Today
Today, Printemps Haussmann consists of three buildings: Printemps de la Mode, nine stories high, Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison (eleven stories), and Printemps de l'Homme, spanning seven stories. In 2001, Printemps dedicated an entire floor to luxury: Printemps du Luxe. Two years later, the store opened the doors to the world's largest "beauty space." In 2006, an entire floor of no less than 3,000 m² was entirely devoted to women's shoes. Finally, a "food hall" dedicated to luxury groceries and gastronomy is gaining new enthusiasts.
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