Fashion heritage: a guide

This former goldsmiths' factory has become an artist residency, and it is open to visitors.

In Saint-Denis, just outside Paris, the former Christofle factory—once a shining star of French goldsmithing—has transformed from a centuries-old silverware workshop into a vibrant hub for artists. From an industrial temple of the 19th century to a cultural workshop of Greater Paris, this historically significant site now opens its doors to visitors through guided tours and special events.

Did you know? In the 19th century, facing the Louvre, grand department stores drew shoppers from all over Paris.

In the 19th century, right opposite the Louvre, a massive commercial temple captured the imagination of Paris. Situated on Rue de Rivoli, this iconic department store revolutionized the shopping habits of the fashionable elite, turning what was once a simple transaction into a social outing. After disappearing for a time, it eventually reemerged in new forms, maintaining its place as a symbol of Parisian elegance and commerce.

This little-known detail of the Place de l'Étoile in Paris inspired the monogram of a major fashion house.

In Paris, even a detail of street furniture can enter the luxury legend. Behind this iconic monogram lies an inspiration drawn from the Place de l'Étoile, at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe.

Parisian department stores: those iconic addresses that reshaped the capital

In Paris, department stores are not merely temples of shopping, but true institutions. Behind their monumental façades, domes, and windows, they tell a different story of the capital: an elegant Paris where heritage, architecture, and modernity converge.

This renowned luxury house has been located on the Champs-Élysées since 1914, and its original façade is still proudly preserved today.

Long before setting up shop at the top of the Champs-Élysées, the iconic brand with the monogram had already established a prestigious address on the avenue as early as 1914, with its historic façade still visible today.

Behind this display window on the Champs-Élysées lies an overlooked historic monument

Nestled in the heart of the Champs-Élysées, this renowned perfume address is also a historic landmark. A unique site that vividly reflects Paris, the Belle Époque, and the storied legacy of Guerlain.

In Suresnes (92), this hospital still conceals remnants of the estate belonging to the founder of haute couture.

On the heights of Suresnes (Hauts-de-Seine - 92), the Foch Hospital is now an integral part of the landscape. Yet, long before these medical buildings arose, the site was home to a lavish estate frequented by Europe’s elite. Behind this modern facade lies the story of a man who transformed fashion and helped establish Paris as the global capital of haute couture.

In the Hauts-de-Seine, this portal stands as the final remnant of the castle built by the pioneer of haute couture.

In Suresnes, in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92), a gate adorned with peculiar snail motifs has just undergone restoration. Behind these unusual sculptures lies the final remnant of an opulent estate tied to the history of haute couture.