The Birth of Department Stores. Fashion, design, toys, advertising. 1852-1925.

from 10 April to 13 October 2024

From 10 April to 13 October 2024, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is devoting an exhibition to the birth of department stores, which in the mid-nineteenth century became the new temples of modernity and consumerism. Au Bon Marché, Les Grands Magasins du Louvre, Le Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Les Galeries Lafayette reveal their multiple facets through the prisms of history, politics, and society, from the Second Empire up until their consecration during the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts of 1925.

Tickets
• Individual tickets
• Self-guided groups

Estimated duration of the visit : 1h30

Information

Musée des Arts Décoratifs
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
France
Phone: +33 (0)1 44 55 57 50

#Expo_GrandsMagasins

Download the brochure for the exhibition « La naissance des grands magasins. »
Download (3 MiB)

• Access
• Opening Hours and Admission Fees

Curator
• Amélie GASTAUT, Chief curator, Advertising and Graphic Design Collections

Assistant Curators
• Anne MONIER, Curator, Toy Collections
• Marie-Pierre RIBÈRE, Assistant Curator, Fashion and Textile Collections

Présentation

From the Spring through the Autumn of 2024, The Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, will collaborate on a two-part history of the creation of department stores in Paris, beginning in 1852 and lasting until the present day.

Jules Jean Chéret, Poster “Aux Buttes Chaumont”, 1888
Jules Jean Chéret, Poster “Aux Buttes Chaumont”, 1888
Color lithography
© Les Arts Décoratifs / Jean Tholance

The first exhibition, to be held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from April 10th through October 13th, 2024, examines the rise of department stores within the historical, political, and social context of the Second Empire, exploring the development, golden age, and consecration of these mammoth Magasins at the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts. Beginning with the establishment of Le Bon Marché, Les Magasins du Louvre, Le Printemps, La Samaritaine and Les Galeries Lafayette, the exhibition will convey the importance of this new style of commerce and explain how it gave rise to a female-driven world of consumerism.

The second exhibition, presented at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from October 16th, 2024, through March 16th, 2025, focuses on the European history of department stores throughout the decades, from the mid-19th century to the present day. This segment depicts the significance of architectural design in the consumer experience while highlighting the prominent exterior facades, grandiose interiors, and staging of merchandise in department stores across France and Europe.

Activities for adults, children and families

Individual ADULTS

Adultes Guided Tour (15 years old and +)
The Birth of Department Stores
Beginning with the birth of the department store in the Second Empire and ending with its consecration at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the tour reveals the economic transformations and social mutations that were sweeping through French society of the day. From Bon Marché to Samaritaine, from Printemps to Galeries Lafayette, the tour is also an invitation to dive into the 19th Century Paris of Emile Zola’s famous novel, Au Bonheur des Dames.

DURATION: 1H30

Individual CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

workshop 4-6 years old / 7-10 years old / in family (4 years old and +)
Souvenir of department stores
Department stores have it all! Discovering the toys, clothes and furniture in fashion at the beginning of the 20th century inspires children to create a fan, a souvenir of the exhibition.

INFORMATION

You can contact the public service Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm:
• by phone: 01 44 55 59 75
• by e-mail: billetterie@madparis.fr

All correspondence should be addressed to Service des Publics, Les Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Discover the other activities offered by the Public Services department

Activities for groups

Guided tours and workshop are available in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

ADULT GROUPS

Guided Tour – 1h30 / 15 years old and +
The birth of Department store

From the creation of department stores during the Second Empire to their consecration at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts of 1925, this visit reveals the economic and social transformations that defined French society. From Le Bon Marché to Samaritaine, Printemps to Galeries Lafayette, it’s a deep dive into the Paris of Au Bonheur des Dames.

Workshop for adults of social sectors
Window Display Decor

Department stores vied in creativity to design the enchanting universes of their window displays. In this workshop, everyone imagines a project for a window decoration through the exploration of the exhibition’s scenography.

EDUCATION GROUPS

Guided Tour – 1h30 / From primary school
The Birth of Department Store

From the creation of department stores during the Second Empire to their consecration at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts of 1925, this visit reveals the economic and social transformations that defined French society. From Le Bon Marché to Samaritaine, Printemps to Galeries Lafayette, it’s a deep dive into the Paris of Au Bonheur des Dames.

Workshop - 2h / Primary school (from kindergarten) and families
Department Store Souvenirs

From Kindergarten
Everything can be found in a department store! The discovery of toys, clothes, furniture in fashion at the beginning of the 20th century, will inspire children to create their own fan, a souvenir object of the exhibition.

Workshop - 2h / Middle schools, high schools, higher education and families
Window Display Decor

Department stores vied in creativity to design the enchanting universes of their window displays. In this workshop, everyone imagines a project for a window decoration through the exploration of the exhibition’s scenography.

INFORMATION / Reservation

Schedules for group visits and activities:
• Youth (scholar and leisure): Tuesday to Friday from 10am
• Social Field and Visitors with disabilities : Tuesday to Friday from 10am
• Adults : Tuesday to Friday from 10am

You can contact the Education Department from Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm:
• by phone: +33(0)1 44 55 57 66
• by email: reservation@madparis.fr

All correspondence should be addressed to Service des Publics, Les Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Pre-booking form Young leisure and school groups
Download (54.8 KiB)
Pre-booking form for adult and company
Mise à jour : 28/04/2025
Download (53 KiB)
Pre-booking form for adult association
Mise à jour : 28/04/2025
Download (55.5 KiB)

Please send the completed pre-reservation form to reservation@madparis.fr.

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