Luxury department store in Paris La Samaritaine shines in new splendor

Status: 23.06.2021 2:09 p.m.

It is one of the most famous shopping addresses in the world: La Samaritaine in Paris. The legendary department store was lavishly renovated for 16 years. Today it opened its doors again.

From Stefanie Markert, ARD studio Paris

“O lala!” – Emmanuel Macron is visibly impressed by the sight: Gustave Eiffel’s gray-blue iron staircase spanning five floors with 16,000 gold leaves has been originally restored. Many of the 1700 employees of the department store stand on the landing and applaud the president. He accepted Bernard Arnault’s invitation. The billionaire and boss of the luxury goods company LVMH owns the Samaritaine. He renovated the building complex for 750 million euros and is now attracting customers: “Perhaps you can also shop on the Internet. But there you can’t touch the products, you can’t see them, and you can’t have lunch in such a wonderful atmosphere.”

A water pump as namesake

In the Samaritaine, this is most spectacularly done in the “Voyage” restaurant under the historic glass dome, surrounded by a 115-meter-long peacock frieze in Art Nouveau style. But actually shopping is hip here, emphasizes Head of Marketing Nathalie Montaldier: “You are on the fourth floor – all women’s shoes, from sneakers to luxury. The special thing: when you try them on you have a fantastic view of the Gothic cathedral Saint-Germain-L’Auxerrois . A unique experience.” In 1870 Ernest Cognacq founded the Samaritaine. Before that he had sold fabrics on the bridge next door – the famous Pont Neuf -, then rented a corner café and expanded his business little by little. At that time the first Parisian water pump stood on the Pont Neuf, and it was called “la Samaritaine” – the Samaritan woman. The pump gave the store its name. Today, historical commercials flicker there on old TVs:

Monsieur wants something?

Yes, nails.

We dont have.

An alligator clip.

Neither clamp nor crocodile.

Haven’t you read the name of our store?

No.

This is not the Samaritaine.

Ah, I see – you can find everything in the Samaritaine.

In the Parisian luxury department store you will find one thing above all: French “savoir vivre”. Image: Stefanie Markert / ARD-Studio Paris

A hymn to Paris

The house no longer lives up to this claim, says manager Eleonore de Boysson, but: “You can find all of Paris in the Samaritaine. Its brands and artists. It’s like a promenade with surprises. A visit should trigger a new Parisian feeling.” And convey the French way of life. The house bakes its own croissants, personalizes champagne bottles and sells cosmetics from collapsible crates that resemble those of the bouquinists in front of the door. Mosaics are reminiscent of the Parisian passages and yellow lanterns of the street lighting in the past. Parisian flair en passant.

The luxury department store is a hymn to the city. It offers the largest beauty department in the European Union – 600 brands and products from three-euro hand gel to perfume in a giant crystal bottle for 150,000 euros. Up to five million customers are expected each year. Parisians, French and of course tourists. On the lower floor, the head of marketing points to a long rolling carpet like at the airport: “There was direct access from the parking lot to the department store. We have redesigned this tunnel. This is where the bus tourists will arrive.”

The complex includes a luxury hotel with a 1000 square meter suite. Even the smallest room there costs 1500 euros per night. But there is also a day nursery and almost 100 social housing. Samaritaine General Director Jean Jacques Guiony explains: “That is the law. When building, around 25 percent of the area has to be reserved for social housing. We were free to move it inside in the Rue de Rivoli building.” The tenants look out over a green, roofed courtyard with the department store’s wellness oasis. The Samaritaine is open 364 days a year. It is only closed on May 1st

Pho Hoa Born in the 60-70s of the last century, Pho Hoa is a frequented address of many gourmets. Here, the broth is simmered from the bone along with the thin, chewy noodle soup to make the right bowl of pho. Compared to other restaurants, Pho Hoa has a taste closer to the taste of Saigon people. In addition to beef, the shop has many different types of pho for diners to choose from such as chicken, beef balls, pork rolls… Address: Pasteur, District 3 Opening hours: 5-23:30 Price: 85,000-95,000 VND Photo: Agirlaboutchicago Thanh Xuan noodle soup Located in a small alley in District 1, the noodle shop for more than half a century is always crowded with diners. The shop scored with dried crab noodles served with sauce and crispy pate chaud. Here, the taste of noodles is made according to the traditional recipe, so it is different from other places. My Tho noodles are boiled to keep the clarity and toughness. The bowl is full of shrimp meat, crab claws, topped with a sauce that will surely warm your stomach in the morning. Address: Ton That Thiep, District 1 Opening hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m Price: 30,000-70,000 VND Photo: Mysteriousaigon, rio.thefoodlist_ Hoa Ma Pan Bread One of the oldest “names” in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Ma pan bread has been around since the 60s of the last century. Here, a full mixed pan includes 2 omelets, spring rolls, fish cakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon, sausages, onions… All are heated before serving diners. . To combat boredom, the shop has an extra plate of pickles for you to eat. However, the price for each piece of bread here is relatively high. Many diners commented that because there is no dipping sauce, if you are not used to it, you will feel the dish is a bit dry. Address: Cao Thang, District 3 Opening hours: 7-10h Price: 50,000-60,000 VND Photo: Eatwithcheesie Porridge for Miss Ut Located on Co Giang Street, the shop is more than 80 years old and is a familiar stop for many diners. The bowl of porridge here is considered full. Porridge seeds are roasted before cooking to expand but not be crushed, delicious to eat. Porridge is cooked in the old Saigon style with fresh blood added directly to the pot, so eating is different from other places. In addition to porridge, liver, blood, young intestines, sausages, stomach… are handled well, so when eating, there is no smell. If you are afraid to eat some ingredients, you can tell the owner when ordering. Address: Co Giang, District 1 Opening hours: 6-14h Price: 40,000-70,000 VND Photo: Tebefood, lanwiththi Thieu Ky noodle family Starting from a simple noodle burden in the 1930s, Thieu Ky became the oldest and most famous restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. The bowl of noodles here is appreciated for its authentic Chinese taste. The broth has a sweet, fatty taste of stewed bones, delicious hand-made noodles served with signature shrimp cakes and spicy satay. The restaurant serves char siu noodles, heirloom oyster sauce noodles, and dumplings filled with fresh shrimp. Recently, the restaurant has received many comments about the uneven quality of the food. Small space, seats and quite limited parking are the minus points of the restaurant. Address: Le Dai Hanh, District 11 Opening hours: 6:30 to 22:30 Price: 40,000-60,000 VND Photo: Ansapsaigon, im.lucass.