La Samaritaine (French pronunciation: [la samaʁitɛn]) is a large department store in the first arrondissement of Paris, France. The nearest metro station is Pont-Neuf. Established in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq, it is now owned by the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. (through Groupe Bon Marché)
History
1870–1930s: Early years and expansion
In 1870 Ernest Cognacq opened La Samaritaine, on the corner of Rue du Pont-Neuf and Rue de la Monnaie. In 1872 Cognacq married Marie-Louise Jaÿ, and they began to manage the store together.
The interiors of magasin one (magasin means "store" in French) were redesigned in 1891, and the project was overseen by architect Frantz Jourdain.
In 1930 and 1932 two expansions were completed designed by Jourdain.
Since 1990 the buildings have been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
A majority stake in La Samaritaine was purchased by LVMH in 2001.
The store was closed on 15 June 2005, as the building needed urgent renovations to mitigate fire safety hazards. However labour unions believed it was because of a restructure of the store.
LVMH purchased the remaining shares in the department store from the Cognacq-Jay foundation in late 2010, giving LVMH full ownership of the department store.
In January 2015 work on the store was halted again after building permission was revoked by a French Court. Work started again despite opposition to the new facades designed by Japanese architecture firm SANAA. The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo supported the plans.
After sixteen years of closure, the department store was reopened to the public in June 2021, now co-branded as part of DFS. The store was reopened by French President Emmanuel Macron and the CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault. The buildings now include a Cheval Blanc hotel, nursery, offices and social housing.
As of 2024 the store is struggling to attract customers.
Building design and style
right|thumb|Art Nouveau [[façade]]
Jourdain's membership in multiple societies heavily influenced his personal architectural theory and design choices for the Samaritaine. The building's exterior has two domes made of glass brick that light up in the nighttime. The facade of the building consists of ceramic panels in brightly colored hues of yellow, white, green, and gold.