The exhibition "The Birth of Department Stores" at the MAD

At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) – Paris 1st

We like: the crazy atmosphere of Paris in the 19th century
Where: at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris 1^st(Louvre and Tuileries districts)
Price : €15
Age: from 6 years old on a self-guided tour. From 4 years old if workshop
When: until October 13, 2024
Opening hours : from 11am to 6pm
Late opening : until 9 p.m. on Thursdays
Opening : every day except Monday, July 14 and August 15
Closed : Mondays
Free : for under 26s
Namely :
- The ticket includes exhibition(s) + permanent collections + audio guide
- Workshop registration

“The birth of department stores. Fashion, design, toys, advertising, 1852-1925”

This exhibition explores the world of department stores born in the^nineteenth century : Au Bon Marché, Les Grands Magasins du Louvre, Au Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Les Galeries Lafayette: the story of a revolution!

As the capital prepares for the arrival of the Games, like Paris, the department stores are highlighted in this very chic exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Ranging from posters to clothing, toys and decorative art pieces, 700 works from the museum’s collections reveal the discovery of these new temples of modernity: the Department Stores
Between 1852 and 1925, the City of Light was adorned with innovative codes, those of commerce and consumption initiated by great entrepreneurs
As in Zola’s novel “Au Bonheur des Dames”, we have fun finding the very first principles: sales, marketing intended to seduce children as well as parents, and even mail order sales!
The great urban transformations of Haussmann’s Paris desired by Napoleon III or the development of the railway brought France into Modernity and developed the bourgeoisie’s taste for strolling, leisure and travel
It was the beginning of fashion: a garment and an accessory for each activity, posters to praise seaside resorts and sea bathing… but also household arts, decoration, and toys
The windows are full of inventive and theatrical advertisements, grandiose architecture
And fashion is democratized to the point of making the Parisian an ambassador of the City of Light!
In our turn, it is with greed that we stroll with the children who discover the crazy atmosphere of the very first department stores that made the image of Paris

Around the exhibition for children and families

Registration for workshops and activities on the museum’s website

From 4 years old with the family – “Souvenir of the department stores “Souvenir object of the exhibition, children will make a fan with the discovery of toys, clothes from the early twentieth century (Duration: 2 hours + 1 adult)
For 4-6 year olds and 7-10 year olds: Workshop – “Souvenir des grands magasins” – Souvenir object of the exhibition, children will make a fan with the discovery of toys, clothes from the early twentieth century (Duration: 2 hours + 1 adult)
For 11-14 year olds– Workshop “A decoration for a window” – Realization of a window display project based on the enchanting worlds of department store windows and the scenography of the exhibition (Duration: 2 hours + 1 adult)