The birth of department stores

"The birth of department stores. Fashion, design, toys, advertising, 1852-1925"

This exhibition explores the world of 19th-century department stores.^e century : Au Bon Marché, Les Grands Magasins du Louvre, Au Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Les Galeries Lafayette: the story of a revolution!

• As the capital prepares for the arrival of the Games, just like Paris, the Grands Magasins are showcased in this very chic exhibition at the Musée des Arts décoratifs.
• Ranging from posters to clothing, toys and decorative art, these are 700 works, from the museum's collections which reveal the discovery of these new temples of modernity: the Grands Magasins
• Between 1852 and 1925, the City of Light was adorned with innovative codes of commerce and consumption initiated by great entrepreneurs.
• As in Zola's novel "Au Bonheur des Dames", it's fun to rediscover the very first principles: sales, marketing designed to appeal to children and parents alike, and even mail order!
• Napoleon III's major urban transformations of Haussmann's Paris and the development of the railroads ushered France into the modern age, developing the bourgeoisie's taste for strolling, leisure and travel.
• It was the beginning of fashion: a garment and accessory for every activity, posters advertising seaside resorts and bathing ... but also household arts, decoration and toys.
• Window displays abound with inventive, theatrical advertising and grandiose architecture.
• And fashion is becoming even more democratic, making the Parisian woman an ambassador for the City of Light!
• It's our turn to stroll along with the children, who discover the crazy atmosphere of the very first department stores that made the image of Paris.