Just to add my say. I knew Samaritaine had changed but did not realize it had been sold.

I HATE the changes. My friend and I went on a Med. cruise in 2001 and had a 7 hr layover in Paris. She had never been to Paris. We took a taxi straight to Samaritaine and she shopped and shopped for clothes, then we went to the obs. deck. We took the metro to the Champs, strolled around, took a taxi to see the Eiffel Tower and on back to the airport. One of my favorite memories. I always loved the hardware dept., handbags, and I used to buy all my soaps and bath salts there but that department is not the same either.

It is very sad to me the changes but especially the obs. deck being closed, if that is the case. I had decided on my last trip in Oct. that it would no longer be on my visit every trip list.

At least I have some fabulous photos taken from the obs. deck that I can always cherish.

This is not current but when were there last year at the end of March it was open. Casual food and drink were being served on the deck and you were not supposed to be there unless you were having some. I think it had recently opened because not all the tables were set up. We seated ourselves (as everyone was doing) but no waiter came over so after a short time (and some wonderful photos) we left.

I thought is closed for the deepest part of winter...

Hi Travelnut,
I wrote to Samaritaine to ask if the restaurant La Terrasse, on the observation deck, was truly closed. Here was their quick response:

"We thank you for the interest which you carry to La Samaritaine, and inform you that the restaurant La Terrasse will open its doors on Tuesday, March 1st, 2005."

Good news, isn't it? :-)

Sandy

We had lunch at the roof terrace cafe in October of 2004. A friend who was in Paris in early January reports that the terrace and cafe close for the winter.

Very cool, and thanks for going to that trouble... I knew the observation terrace closed for each winter, but wasn't sure if the new owners intended to reopen it seasonally. I'm putting on my 'to do' list for September.

mamc,
That makes sense that it would close in the colder months. Glad it will open in March, though.

Travelnut,
You're very welcome :-) It's on my "to do list" too.

Sandy

In the very first post, I referred to the rooftop observation deck and not the terrace below one level. To get to the rooftop you would go to the top floor and climb up some spiral steps to the roof. I hope that that is still open to the public. It was always open year round and free.

We where in Paris over the New Years and, yes the rooftop deck is closed as the store undergoes major renovations. It should be open by the summer, but one never knows how long the remodel will take.

Thanks, I guess I will have to find another spot to view the river on my first day in Paris.

I was there for New Year's also. The sign said that the terrace will reopen in March 2005 not summer.

The French news just said that the Samaritaine will be closed untill 2011. The employees will be offered other jobs in the LVMH group or early retirement.

I look forward to seeing the bldg once it has been renovated. It had gotten a bit shabby.

I suspect they will move it a bit upscale. Considering BHV, Printemps, Galleries Lafayette and Samaritaine all competed for the somewhat the same customer, it seems a logical move. They could then compete with Bon Marche which is really the single strictly upscale department store in Paris.

Author: PalQ
Date: 07/22/2005, 11:06 am
News that Paris' venerable La Samaritaine department store is closing for several years of renovation has distressed Fodorites in past posts. And there was some confusion as to whether it will ever reopen - one rumor has it becoming a hotel - refuted by the company. My recent News from France, put out by the French government says:
La Samaritaine will close for about six years for renovations - needing to have electrical circuits replaced and smoke extraction systems installed and wooden floors replaced to meet fire codes. Renovations are expected to take 3-6 years but if done in stages could take 8-10 years! (Sounds like Italy where some of the scaffolding outside churches and old buildings have been there so long they seem to have become part of the facades!)
La Samaritaine, so named after a hydraulic pump near the pont-Neuf that operated 1609-1813; a gilded relief on the front of the pump showed the good Samairtaine talking to Christ's at Jocob's well. is Paris' second oldest department store, opening after Bon Marche did in 1848. La Samaritaine's president claims the store will re-open after renovations, dissing the idea of a hotel; yet some skeptics remain about this. www.lasamaritaine.com. Here's hoping the store does reopen and retains some of its quaintness.



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Author: RJD
Date: 07/22/2005, 11:57 am
I can understand the need for renovation. The place was charming, perhaps not safe but quaint. Used to visit the kitchen section and look for something to take back as a souvenir. Also bought a lot of ties from the vendors ouside who seemed to have a more chic selection that the upscale places like Printemps on Blvd Hausemann.