Figure 1.--This advertisement appeared in a March 1936 La Samaritaine catalog. Pictured are two smocks 40-75 cm high and a girls kimono-style dress. The smock on the left is for a girl wjile the one in the middle could perhaps be worn by a girl or boy. Click on the image for more details.

La Samaritaine is either the earliest or at least one of the earliest department stores ever built. Situated in the historic center of Paris, between the Louvre and Châtelet and opposite the Ile de la Cité, the famous department store got its name from an old water pump near the Pont Neuf. The water pumps were very important to people in the 19th century. This pump for example fed the Louvre. It was something of a landmark because it was decorated with the woman of Sameria giving a drink of water to Jesus. The store now occupies four buildings. The café on the roof of store number two offers a 360 degree view of Paris. La Samaritaine has always been something of a poor relation in the department store stakes but since it has been acquired by the LVMH group (owners of Le Bon Marché) this is probably due to change. You can find just about anything in the chaotic four-store complex, from fashion to household goods, a large linen department and a big toy department. Building two has a faded charm with wonderful art nouveau details, a superb Seine location and a great view from the rooftop terrace. The view is also excellent from the fifth-floor restaurant Le Toupary. There are many La Samaritaine items in the French catalog section. We also note toy ads.

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Created: September 10, 2002
Last updated: 7:34 PM 9/9/2005