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They include Le Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, Harrods, La Rinascente, El Corte Ingl\u00e9s, De Bijenkorf, KaDeWe, Takashimaya, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus. Although the names, cultural influences and brands distributed differ, all these department stores owe a great deal to a certain Aristide Boucicaut, founder in 1852 of the very first of these temples to consumerism: Le Bon March\u00e9.<\/p>\n
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Two exhibitions in Paris look back at the origins of these gigantic stores, from their architecture to their range of products and services, and their daily flow of visitors.<\/p>\n
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The first takes place at the Mus\u00e9e des Arts D\u00e9coratifs (MAD) from April 10 to October 13, 2024. The second will take place at the Cit\u00e9 de l’architecture from November 6 to April 6, 2025.<\/p>\n
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Our story begins in the City of Light, at the corner of rue de S\u00e8vres and rue du Bac<\/strong>. It was here that Aristide Boucicaut<\/strong>, the son of a hatter from Normandy, came to Paris to work as a calico (novelty salesman), and came up with an idea that would forever change the face of the shopping experience in the mid-19th century.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was the first to reproduce on a larger scale the novelty stores<\/strong> he had worked in. The textile items (shawls, hats, gloves, stockings, ribbons, lace, etc.) that gave their name to this type of store were to make up the initial offering of his<\/strong> “Au Bon March\u00e9” establishment<\/strong>. This extensive range was later extended to include carpets, travel goods, perfumes, stationery, toys and ready-to-wear clothing.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Enlarged and inaugurated in 1872, this XXL store lends itself to strolling<\/strong>, with its wide aisles and open spaces. It already featured the elements that would become a benchmark throughout France and the world: multiple themed departments and floors, an exposed riveted metal structure, a central space served by a monumental staircase<\/strong> (later replaced by escalators), domed roofs and immense display windows.<\/strong><\/p>\n