Windows and balconies of Paris - .

Our favourite of LVMH's Samaritaine buildings, located at the heart of the 1st arrondissement on Rue de Rivoli, began as a small shop in 1870 founded by Ernest Cognacq. It grew into a revolutionary department store under his vision and wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ's influence. The Art Nouveau elements you see above come from architect Frantz Jourdain (early 1900s expansions), who used innovative steel frames, glass, and colorful enamelled lava stone for a modern, light-filled "temple of commerce." Later Art Deco additions (1920s by Henri Sauvage) and a major 21st-century revival by LVMH (reopened 2021 after 16 years of renovation) added a wavy glass facade on Rivoli by SANAA, we prefer this restored historic side, those windows make passersby stop in their tracks!

The renovated interior is equally sublime, worth a visit to simply walk around without the need to buy.  

 

We love this building but not everyone is happy with La Samaritaine's reincarnation: "A legendary but outmoded Parisian department store that once catered to the locals has been replaced with a five-star luxury hotel and an expensive duty-free concept store that bears only a superficial resemblance to the original Samaritaine beloved by five generations of Parisians."  

From 'Secrets of Paris' - you can read the full article here. 

 

“Somehow, Paris always manages to be beautiful, even when it’s just quietly being itself.”

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Part of the “Windows & Balconies of Paris” Series

Each Wednesday, we share a glimpse of Paris through its windows and balconies — the quiet details that give the city its rhythm and romance.

Browse the full series

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