Lecture by Géraldine GUERIN.
Department stores, cathedrals of consumerism.
Géraldine GUERIN
Galeries Lafayette, La Samaritaine, Printemps Haussmann and Le Bon Marché are all cult addresses. From the 1850s onwards, department stores, veritable cathedrals of consumerism, replaced specialized boutiques and small shops, and flourished in major European and American cities, making their founders millionaires. Their monumental architecture and staging of merchandise revolutionized consumer habits, transforming shopping into a sensory and entertaining experience. Here's a look back at the history of these mythical places, from the context of their creation to their evolution to the present day.
Géraldine GUERIN
Galeries Lafayette, La Samaritaine, Printemps Haussmann and Le Bon Marché are all cult addresses. From the 1850s onwards, department stores, veritable cathedrals of consumerism, replaced specialized boutiques and small shops, and flourished in major European and American cities, making their founders millionaires. Their monumental architecture and staging of merchandise revolutionized consumer habits, transforming shopping into a sensory and entertaining experience. Here's a look back at the history of these mythical places, from the context of their creation to their evolution to the present day.
Rates
Rates
Free admission for association members, on presentation of membership card.
Single tickets for non-members, subject to availability (€8).
RESERVATION ESSENTIAL
Single tickets for non-members, subject to availability (€8).
RESERVATION ESSENTIAL
Opening times
Opening times
On 6 January 2026
- 14:00 at 16:00
Location
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
