La Samaritaine

 

Yesterday I went to the first day opening of newly renovated and much anticipated La Samaritaine department store near Pont Neuf. There were long lines, but the place is so big they let us hoi polloi in almost immediately. 

The best thing you can do when visiting a new building is scoot up to the top floor via the elevator. Then leisurely take in the view as you drift down by escalator. You’ll get a much better sense of the whole place - a total of 7 floors to explore, since the French insist on calling the first floor zero.

Throughout are areas of artzy decor. This is photo of the Arte Nouveau renovation not someone still restoring the famous peacock ceiling opening day.

Like this furnishing display. I dont think Samarataine even sells furniture. 

Bendy yellow Parisian lampposts display items on each floor. 600 brands are represented, most of them luxury, but plenty for the kids. Egg yolk yellow is the signature Samartaine color if you didn't already guess. I’ll bet they don’t call it that...

Another flashy display - this conglomeration of Ruinart Champagne bottles.

Veuve Clicquot fits in with a prominent boutique of yellow metro seats and new tin containers with metro names. The perfect yellow collaboration.

A great commotion and long anxious lines at the Chanel shoe boutique on the 4th floor.

I asked their blonde rep, smartly dressed in white bouclé and glitter trim, “What’s up?”

“Oh we have the newest Chanel shoe styles you can’t find anywhere else.“ Word out PBers. Change your tickets fast. Tell em Parisbreakfast sent you.

I kind of stalked this stunning trench coat with enormous sleeves. It must be the house brand, Louis Vuiton?

Big voluminous sleeves are IN if you didn't know already PBers. Practicality has never been an issue in fashion.

My haul. You simply must walk out with a signature yellow shopping bag. I bought 3 rolls (4€ each and probably the cheapest thing in the place, yet very attractive I thought) of Samartaine washi tape to seal your envelopes 💌LETTER BUYERS. I said to the sales guy “they are le plus moin cher choise?” He agreed. Staff are  mostly young and attractive, wearing striped  marinier T-shirts and navy blazers. Easy to spot and friendly. The atmosphere is jolly and lively. Unattended ice cream carts (that sadly do not sell ice cream) on each floor sell souvenir art nouveau pencils and post cards, chocolate bears/ourson guimauve ,playing cards and my washi tape in 3 designs. They gave away yellow wrist ribbons. So you’re a walking advert for Samaritaine.

There are casual small cafes and coffee bars scattered on each floor. Plus a fancy restaurant on the top floor that requires reservations. 

I was thrilled to see they have Fermob’s Luxembourg chairs in the eggy yellow. But I painted the yellow cups instead. And a bottle of Veuve. My word on Samartaine: def GO. Really a fun experience.🐝☺️🥂✏️🍋🍾