In photos, La Grande Epicerie de Paris celebrates 100 years of indulgence

It is 100 years old and still whets the appetites of Parisians, but also visitors from France and around the world. La Grande Épicerie de Paris is thus, as we say today, a “destination”. And yet, in 1923, when it was born, it was just a gourmet corner.

A small radius will become large

“When Le Bon Marché, created in 1852 by Aristide Bouscot at the corner of rue Sèvres and rue VII du Bac.^e The Paris region, which has already experienced expansions, opens its own expansion, Les Nouveaux Magasins, it is not dedicated to food. The latter occupies an extremely limited place there. The place is more dedicated to interior design and home art. With René Lalique chandeliers, this environment offers, for example, furniture designed by Atelier Pomone, which is still our creative workshop,” says Sarah Duchemin, Head of Heritage at Le Bon Marché.

Construction of the building housing these new stores began in 1911. However, during World War I, the building became a hospital before burning down in 1915. Architect Louis-Hippolyte Bouillon, son of Louis-Charles Boyeau, who worked on the first Beaune. The Marché site, which was responsible for rebuilding it a few years after the end of the Great War.

Art deco and domestic art

“In this choice of a young man to succeed his father, we can see a real gesture in favor of modernity. And also visionary, because the elements that still characterize the facade – sober, geometric and stylized forms, windows covered with lily flower motifs – are typical of Art Deco, which was already in vogue at the time, but which came into its own. culminating in the 1925 Universal Exposition,” Sarah Duchemin continues.

The gourmet offering, then limited to luxury goods such as beautifully packaged boxes of chocolates, is also a first. No other department store offers edibles. And that’s success. So much so that ten years later, in 1933, Les Nouveaux Magasins opened a new department. In 1934, the confectionery and bakery laboratory was created, which still exists. After the Second World War, other horizons were still open with the sale of selected specialties in other countries, such as Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands, etc.

Finally, on October 10, 1979, Nouveaux Magasins was renamed La Grande Épicerie de Paris. Developments will not stop, and the interior architecture will change over time and shape the square meters. Since 1964, the area has doubled and today it reaches 6300 m². “If the exterior was not altered and renovated in 2013 for the 90th anniversary, an event that justified a lot of serious work, including the restoration of the huge dome to its original place from the beginning of the glass, the interior was transformed. regularly. He was always on time, adds Sarah Duchemin.

The offer is obviously also adapted to the lifestyle. So it’s very broad from the 1950s to the 1970s, as this period marks the rise of supermarkets. It was in the 1980s that it became more premium again, with the launch of ‘home-cooked’ dishes and the development of an experiential format with a program of events, exhibitions, tastings.

In the video, Rossi de Palma expressed his good humor during his show at the Bon Marché

In full growth

In 2017, La Grande Épicerie de Paris doubles up on the Right Bank in the 16th^e, with the opening of a store at the corner of de Passy street and Paul-Dumer avenue. Now it is a symbolic place. Almost the Eiffel Tower for the 1,300,000 gourmands who visit it every year. It must be said that in terms of offers, it reaches new heights with 30,000 links, 4,000 new products imported every year, 2,500 fresh, handmade products. 550 employees are mobilized to run this indoor market, and 80 artisans work in the workshops on the rue Sèvres. Without a doubt, this is a grocery store that truly has all the makings of a big box store.

(1) 100 years at La Grande Épicerie de Paris, September 29 to October 29, 38 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, or 80 rue de Passy, ​​75016 Paris.