European Heritage Days

Once a year, for the European Heritage Days, Printemps’ department stores open the doors to their history.  It’s an opportunity to discover the architectural secrets of each store, the men and women who created them, and the evolution of the stores over the years. 

THE ARCHITECTURALCROWN JEWEL: PRINTEMPS HAUSSMANN

One hundred and-fifty-seven years ago, in 1865, the great department store Au Printemps was born. Created by the visionary couple Jules and Augustine Jaluzot in what was still a remote neighborhood with few shops, it quickly emerged as a brand with a unique identity: “At Printemps, everything is as new, fresh and pretty as the name: Au Printemps”.

Rebuilt in 1882 by Paul Sédille and considered by historians as the prototype of the modern department store, Printemps inspired the “cathedral of commerce” described by Émile Zola in his novel The Ladies’ Paradise (Au bonheur des dames), published the following year. 

PRINTEMPS NATION, THE AMERICAN DREAM OF THE 60’S 

In 1964, the opening of Printemps Nation marked the beginning of the rapid growth of department stores in the city suburbs—a trend inspired by the American model. Covering 30,000 sqm spread across six floors, including both shopping areas and back offices, Printemps Nation has a unique history that we invite you to discover during the European Heritage Days.

PRINTEMPS VÉLIZY 2, THE AVANT-GARDE DEPARTMENT STORE OF THE OUTSKIRT OF PARIS

Opened 50 years ago in 1972, Printemps Vélizy 2 is one of the pioneering department stores located in the shopping malls of the Paris suburbs.

Less than three years after Parly 2, Printemps Vélizy 2 was the fruit of a carefully considered design that is representative of the architectural and commercial ideas of the 1970s: a layout that is simple and functional but also visually appealing and comfortable. Inside and outside, a profusion of graphic motifs, such as the P Margeurite designed by the famous Swiss graphic artist Jean Widmer, assert the brand's identity and its role as the driving force of the shopping center.

PRINTEMPS DEAUVILLE, THE FIRST SEASIDE PARISIAN DEPARTMENT STORE

Opened in 1912, Printemps Deauville was the very first department store branch to be set up outside of Paris and one of the first fashion boutiques established on the Côte Fleurie (or Flowery Coast). The creation of this “novelty store” was an integral part of the city’s urban design by Eugène Cornuché and Désiré Le Hoc.

PRINTEMPS LILLE : A 30,000SQM LUCID DREAM THAT BLENDS FASHION AND HISTORY

Just 60 years ago, in the fall of 1962, the new Printemps Lille opened its doors. With its gigantic total surface area of nearly 30,000 sqm, its brilliant artificial lighting, roof parking lot, air conditioning and self-service supermarket, this ultra-modern department store, a symbol of the "Trente Glorieuses", was the first in France to adopt the traditions and innovations of American department stores. 

PRINTEMPS LYON : A HICTORIC MONUMENT

Founded in 1857 by businessman Henri Perrot, the department store Aux Deux Passages is one of the oldest in France. Acquired in 1938, it is also the fifth store to join the Printemps network outside Paris.

PRINTEMPS NANCY : AN ART DECO SANCTUARY

First located on Rue Saint-Jean, in the former Vaxelaire department store, and from 1983 onwards in the Magasins Réunis building, Printemps has an intimate connection not just with the history of commerce, but also with the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements in Nancy.

PRINTEMPS ROUEN : A LOCAL EMBLEM HISTORY

Inaugurated on October 15, 1928, Printemps Rouen is the brand's third oldest store in France. Heir to two novelty stores, La Providence and Le Sans Pareil, it bore the poetic name of Printania until the 1960s.

Bombed and destroyed in April 1944, Printemps Rouen was completely rebuilt in 1954 with all the emblematic features of postwar reconstruction architecture: an original concrete structure in the shape of a hand fan, functional spaces and vast display windows. After a colossal demolition/reconstruction project, the store expanded in 1981 within the iconic Maillet du Boulay building overlooking the cathedral.

PRINTEMPS TOURS : BEHIND THE SCENCES OF A 20TH CENTURY MONUMENT

A symbol of Tours, the history of the Lefroid house dates to 1830. Initially specializing in furniture, the store expanded considerably in 1928 to become a full-fledged department store, with a new façade on the Rue de Bordeaux in the purest Art Deco style. Affiliated since 1964 with the Printemps buying center, it adopted the brand name in 1984 while maintaining its independence.