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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Le Printemps Haussmann is a department store founded in 1865 by Jules Jaluzot and Jean-Alfred Duclos at the crossroads of Boulevard Haussmann and Rue du Havre in Paris. Its first building, designed by architects Jules and Paul Sédille, is inspired by large covered markets, with innovative showcases and a sales space organized around columns. The store stands out from its opening with its slogan "In the Spring, everything is new, fresh and pretty", reflecting a desire for modernity and appeal for a growing bourgeois clientele.

In 1866, Spring revolutionized trade by introducing sales, an unprecedented practice of selling unsold goods at reduced prices rather than concealing them. Despite the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, which temporarily disrupted its activity, the store prospered and grew rapidly. In 1874, he incorporated elevators, a first in Paris department stores, and expanded his surface by acquiring neighbouring buildings. These innovations, coupled with a bold business strategy, make Spring a major player in the department store revolution.

A devastating fire in 1881 destroyed much of the building, but Jules Jaluzot immediately revived the reconstruction. The architect Paul Sédille designs a new neo-classical building with an apparent metal structure, monumental windows and Art Nouveau decorations. The facades, decorated with golden mosaics and allegorical sculptures, become a symbol of the alliance between art and commerce. The store reopened in 1883 with technical innovations such as electric lighting, confirming its status as a showcase of progress.

In the 20th century, the Haussmann Spring continued its expansion under the direction of Gustave Laguionie, who modernized sales spaces and introduced escalators in 1924. Despite two major fires (1881 and 1921), the store was rebuilt each time by incorporating enhanced safety standards. The animated Christmas windows, launched in the 1920s, became a Parisian tradition, attracting millions of visitors. In 1975, the facades and roofs of the old shops were listed as historic monuments, recognizing their heritage value.

Today, the Haussmann Spring covers three buildings totaling 45,500 m2 and 27 levels, offering fashion, beauty and decoration. It remains an emblematic place for luxury and innovation, while preserving its architectural heritage. The Christmas showcases, ephemeral exhibitions and spaces dedicated to gastronomy or responsible fashion illustrate its constant adaptation to contemporary expectations, while perpetuating its role as temple of Parisian commerce.

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