La Samaritaine is closing
 

According to my 'sources' (just kidding, it's a thread on the TA forum), LMHV is closing down the main building housing la Samaritaine. Problems with building /safety code, fire hazard, something like that.

So you'd better go to Plan B for those terrace views over Paris...

LVMH (I can't even blame it on dyslexia).

And LVMH stands for????

LVMH is the French consumer goods megacorp resulting from the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy (spelling questionable).

they said this morning on the radio that it would take 10 years to renovate it bit by bit, and only 4 if they close it now, but everybody thinks it will close for good, too much money involved... :( what a shock for the employees there!

Kayd,

Thanks very much for taking the time to clarify that point of information.

I wonder what they would do with that large old building if it closed for good. Given its location, I'm sure someone would want it for something (and the architectural design, at least on the outside is rather unusual).

I never liked the store, though, so won't miss it.

Isn't that the store with the deco interior and the metal stairs? I never really shopped there but liked the interior. Plus the roof terrace. And there was an interesting series of dioramas about the history of the store in a corner on the top floor. Glad I have some photos.

Oh no!! That's where I bought Le Clip!

Uh, oh! All who were planning a pilgrimage to get one will be sorely disappointed :-<

Sharon,
:-? Perhaps we Fodorites can begin a write- in campaign to have a plaque, in honor of Le Clip, placed on the outside of Samaritaine's doors. @};- 8-)

Did they say when it might close? I might try to squeeze it in on my next trip since I've never been. But time is so tight that I just don't think that I'll have the time.

Details....

A police report said the building on the banks of the Seine needed urgent safety renovations. "The situation is so alarming that I cannot permit the store to be opened," said La Samaritaine's president. Even though the store will be closed for at least three years, staff are being retained on full pay.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4082272.stm


CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton's Paris department store La Samaritaine, has announced that the store will close on the evening of June 15 for 'at least three years for investigation and three years of works', the CGT union said.
A spokesman for the store would only confirm that the store <b>will close on June 15</b> for 'at least a fortnight' due to 'severe safety problems'. Among the elements failing to meet accepted standards are the metal structure of the building, the flooring, the electrics and the air conditioning, he said.

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx...fx2085747.html

Oops. I guess it will be gone by the time I make it there.

Thanks, Travelnut.

I was just there last week to buy pyjamas - yes after months of planning my trip, I arrive in Paris without any pjs! - go figure:) This is too bad - those terrace views are spectacular.

I cannot believe they are keeping the staff on full pay - incroyable!

La Samaritaine has been going downhill in the opinion of some since it was purchased by LVMH, which wants to turn it into another overpriced tourist fashion trap. That purchase upset many longtime employees considerably; this will likely upset them even more. And I'm not convinced that the store will ever open again. If this is the &quot;worst decision economically,&quot; I can't believe it is being done just for &quot;safety.&quot; Nobody does things just out of an altruistic concern for safety in today's world.

Odd that the exact nature of the fire risk isn't given (as far as I can see).

Gee, Sharon, that makes Le Clip even more of a collector's item! &gt;:D&lt;

We bought some bed linens and some kitchen stuff there over the past few years. The salespeople were always helpful. But I remember the store as being so darn hot, we never lingered long.
The housing market is so tight, I could see the store being converted into some sort of mixed use apartment/restaurant complex. Conversion would be expensive, but the real estate demand is so strong, I bet they'd still turn a profit even after paying those three-year wages. Any apartments overlooking the Seine would have million-dollar views (literally).

ttt

I bought a purse there last week while in Paris. That is too bad that they are closing.