The new Samaritaine, the temple of chic shopping in Paris

For the new building, the architects had to be as daring as their predecessors who created the Art Nouveau facades that have been emblematic of the Samaritaine since the 19th century. This challenge was met by the Sanaa agency, who achieved a veritable technical and architectural feat with the new contemporary façade on rue de Rivoli. No fewer than 343 panels of curved, screen-printed glass, measuring 2.70 m by 3.50 m, form irregular undulations whose pleating evokes the lightness of a falling veil. This poetic inspiration is echoed in the skilfully studied play of reflections, from which you can contemplate the sky, the Haussmann facades and, with a little imagination, the watery play of the nearby Seine...

With their bright hues and floral decoration, the enameled lava panels were one of the jewels in the crown of the Art Nouveau building designed by Frantz Jourdain at the turn of the 20th century. Removed at the cost of delicate handling, they have now been meticulously restored to bring back to life motifs and colors that had faded or even been masked by plaster. To recreate the extraordinary plant wall that once covered the building, 25 panels had to be faithfully reproduced: a task successfully accomplished by enameller Maria Da Costa, who devoted the full range of her skills to the task. Each panel required 15 days and four firings!

Under the huge glass roof (1,000 m2!), the balustrades and baskets separating the floors dance their volutes again, interrupted by gilded chestnut leaves... Designed by Edouard Schenck in the purest Art Nouveau style, all the ironwork - over 600 linear metres - has been restored by the Atelier d'Oeuvres de Forge in the Dordogne. Elements were lengthened or shortened to restore the original symmetry, missing parts were replaced, ribs were restored... The journeymen locksmiths and ironworkers have carried out a true goldsmith's art!

On the Pont neuf side, the iconic Art Deco building is home to the first urban house in the Cheval Blanc collection. An exceptional address conceived as a confidential jewel box with 26 rooms and 46 suites, four restaurants and bars, including a gourmet restaurant orchestrated by chef Arnaud Donckele, a Spa Dior Cheval Blanc and a 30-metre-long swimming pool... Theatrical views over Paris, works of art and custom-made furniture, a play of colors and materials... Between historical heritage and contemporary spirit, the setting designed by Peter Marino is above all a dazzling tribute to a voluptuous and eternal Paris.

It all began in 1870, when Ernest Cognacq, soon assisted by his wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ, opened a store on the corner of rue du Pont-Neuf and rue de la Monnaie. Since then, the company's motto of "constant progress" has not aged a day! Over the years, the "Samar" has continued to expand, thanks to the purchase of neighboring buildings and increasingly colossal building campaigns. In its heyday, this "palace of temptation" totalled 80,000 m²! By 2021, a whole new district will have sprung up: 70,000 m² renovated or built, with a 20,000 m² department store managed by DFS, an exceptional 5-star hotel, offices, housing and a crèche.