Printemps Haussmann
The Paris flagship department store of the Printemps chain, known for its historic architecture, fashion and beauty departments, and location on Boulevard Haussmann.
Last updated August 22, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Printemps Haussmann is the flagship department store of the French Printemps chain and one of the best-known retail landmarks on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris's 9th arrondissement. Opened in 1865, the store developed during the transformation of central Paris into a modern commercial and civic capital. Its founding is associated with Jules Jaluzot, Augustine Jaluzot, and Jean-Alfred Duclos. The store was conceived as a large-scale retail establishment serving the expanding urban middle and upper classes, and its successive enlargements reflected the growing importance of department-store shopping in nineteenth-century Paris. The complex is made up of three interconnected buildings with a combined selling area of approximately 44,000 square metres. The original building was followed by two additional structures in 1874, generally identified with the fashion and beauty-and-home activities of the site. These additions were connected by iron footbridges and incorporated modern hydraulic elevators, technologies that helped the store manage increasing customer volumes and a vertically organized retail environment. The complex now extends across 27 floors: seven in the principal building, nine in the Printemps de la Mode building, and eleven in the Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison building. The store experienced a major fire in 1881 and was rebuilt under the direction of architects Jules and Paul Sédille. The reconstruction was technologically significant: in 1883, Printemps Haussmann became the first public place in Paris to be powered by electricity. Its architecture also became part of its commercial identity. Decorative elements, large display areas, extensive circulation routes, and a prominent interior dome helped turn shopping into a visual and social experience rather than a purely functional transaction. A later interior dome, completed in 2018, drew inspiration from the stained-glass domes installed at the store in 1894. Today, Printemps Haussmann operates as a large-format department store with fashion, accessories, beauty, home, and related lifestyle categories. Its retail offer combines established luxury and contemporary brands with seasonal merchandising, food and hospitality-related services, and visitor-oriented experiences. Because of its central location, the store serves local customers as well as domestic and international visitors. It stands near the Palais Garnier, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann flagship, and Havre–Caumartin station, making it part of one of Paris's most concentrated shopping and tourism districts. The complex is also an architectural and heritage site. The French Ministry of Culture designated Printemps Haussmann a monument historique in 1992. Its significance therefore extends beyond retail: the building illustrates the evolution of department-store architecture, the adoption of modern building technologies, the history of Parisian commerce, and the continuing relationship between luxury retail and tourism. The store remains active under the Printemps banner, although the available reference material does not identify a separate corporate owner, public listing, or current executive team specifically for the Haussmann location.
History
Printemps Haussmann opened in 1865 on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris's 9th arrondissement. The store was established by Jules Jaluzot, Augustine Jaluzot, and Jean-Alfred Duclos during a period when Paris was being reshaped by major urban works, new transport connections, and the growth of large-scale consumer commerce. Its department-store format brought a broad assortment of goods together in a single monumental retail environment and helped establish Boulevard Haussmann as a major shopping destination. The first building soon became insufficient for the store's expanding business. Two further structures were constructed in 1874. These buildings were connected by iron footbridges and introduced modern hydraulic elevators, allowing shoppers and merchandise to move more efficiently through a multilevel complex. The three-building arrangement ultimately became the basis of the present store, whose departments are commonly associated with the main building, Printemps de la Mode, and Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison. A serious fire destroyed the store in 1881. Reconstruction was undertaken by architects Jules and Paul Sédille, who rebuilt the premises while incorporating new architectural and engineering ideas. In 1883, Printemps Haussmann became the first public place in Paris to use electricity. This achievement reinforced the store's image as a modern institution and demonstrated how department stores could serve as showcases for emerging technologies as well as for merchandise. The building's decorative program remained central to its identity. A stained-glass dome installed in 1894 became one of its notable interior features. In 2018, a later interior dome reaching from the ground floor to the ninth floor was completed, taking visual inspiration from the earlier domes. The complex now covers roughly 44,000 square metres of selling space and comprises 27 floors across three interconnected buildings. Printemps Haussmann's location placed it in direct proximity to other important Parisian landmarks and retail institutions. It is adjacent to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann flagship and close to the Palais Garnier. Havre–Caumartin station, served by Paris Métro lines 3 and 9, provides direct public-transport access and contributes to the site's role as both a shopping destination and a stop on tourist itineraries. The French Ministry of Culture designated the store a monument historique in 1992. This recognition reflects the importance of its architecture, history, and technological innovations. The store continues to function as the flagship of the Printemps department-store chain, with departments spanning fashion, accessories, beauty, home, and lifestyle categories. The available reference material does not provide reliable information about a separate legal entity, current executives, ownership structure, or financial performance for the Haussmann location itself.
- 2018
New interior dome is completed
[1]A dome extending from the ground floor to the ninth floor is completed, inspired by the store's historic stained-glass domes.
- 2008
Store is evacuated after a bomb threat
[1]The premises are evacuated after a terrorist threat; explosives are subsequently found by demining services.
- 1992
Complex receives monument historique designation
[1]The French Ministry of Culture designates Printemps Haussmann a monument historique.
- 1894
Stained-glass domes are installed
[1]Decorative stained-glass domes are installed and later become an architectural reference for the store.
- 1883
Electricity is introduced
[1]After reconstruction, Printemps Haussmann becomes the first public place in Paris to be powered by electricity.
- 1881
Store is destroyed by fire
[1]A major fire destroys the store, leading to a reconstruction directed by Jules and Paul Sédille.
- 1874
Two additional buildings are constructed
[1]Expansion adds two structures to accommodate business growth. The buildings are connected by iron footbridges and use modern hydraulic elevators.
- 1865
Store opens on Boulevard Haussmann
[1]Printemps Haussmann opens in Paris as a new department store associated with Jules Jaluzot, Augustine Jaluzot, and Jean-Alfred Duclos.
Products and positioning
A landmark Parisian department store combining fashion, luxury, beauty, home, lifestyle retail, architectural heritage, and tourism-oriented shopping.
Fashion and accessories · 1874
Printemps de la Mode
The fashion-focused building and department grouping presents clothing, accessories, shoes, leather goods, and related designer and contemporary fashion merchandise. It is a central part of the Haussmann flagship's identity and supports the store's positioning as a Paris destination for fashion shopping.
Beauty, home, and lifestyle · 1874
Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison
This department grouping combines beauty and cosmetics with home, interiors, decoration, and related lifestyle merchandise. Its inclusion in a dedicated building reflects the store's expansion beyond apparel into personal care and domestic categories.
Fashion retail
Luxury and contemporary fashion
Printemps Haussmann's fashion offer spans luxury and contemporary apparel, accessories, shoes, and leather goods. The store's central Paris location and proximity to other major luxury retailers make this a core destination category for both residents and visitors.
Beauty retail
Beauty and cosmetics
The beauty assortment includes cosmetics and related personal-care products presented within the store's dedicated beauty retail activities. The category forms one of the flagship's principal commercial pillars alongside fashion and home.
Home retail
Home and lifestyle
Home and lifestyle merchandising extends the store's offer into furnishings, decoration, and goods associated with domestic living. These products are part of the broader Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison activity.
Brand decisions
1881
Rebuilding after the fireOtherBackground
A fire destroyed the store in 1881.
Action taken
Jules and Paul Sédille rebuilt the premises and incorporated updated architectural and engineering features.
Aftermath
The rebuilt store became an early Parisian public showcase for electric power and modern department-store design.
1874
Expansion into a multi-building department storeStrategyBackground
The original store no longer provided sufficient capacity as business volume increased.
Action taken
Two additional buildings were constructed and connected with iron footbridges, with hydraulic elevators supporting movement through the enlarged complex.
Aftermath
The expansion established the multi-building structure that remains central to Printemps Haussmann's identity.
Recent events
- 2018
Interior dome completed at Printemps Haussmann[1]
Other
A new interior dome extending from the ground level to the ninth floor was completed. Its design drew inspiration from the stained-glass domes installed at the store in the nineteenth century.
- 2008
Printemps Haussmann evacuated after bomb threat[1]
Other
On 16 December 2008, Printemps Haussmann was evacuated after the Afghan Revolutionary Front claimed responsibility for a bomb threat and demanded the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan. Demining personnel found five sticks of dynamite in a store toilet.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/printemps-haussmann · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled