It is the symbol of Galeries Lafayette.
The magnificent Art Nouveau dome covering the store on Boulevard Haussmann (9th) since 1912 has regained its original transparency.
The 1,400 m2 structure, suspended 43 meters high and adorned with 1,900 stained glass windows, has been fully restored.
After two years of studies, the project led by Perrot & Richard Architectes has just ended.
The work took place at night to preserve activity and allow visitors to admire the dome, visible from the ground floor.
The confinement, which led to the closure of the Galleries, facilitated and accelerated operations.
“The ambition of this renovation is to restore this jewel of art nouveau to its splendor.
This dome is one of the most beautiful and largest of all the department stores and the symbol of the art of French living.
The objective of this restoration is to give it back the magic it has lost over time, ”explains Eric Costa, president of Citynove, the property company of the Galeries Lafayette group, in charge of the project.
An alliance of oriental style and Art Nouveau style
The result of the collaboration of three great artists, Ferdinand Chanut for the structure, Jacques Grüber for the stained-glass windows and Louis Majorelle for the ironwork, the emblematic work was built in record time.
“The founder Théophile Bader had wanted the oriental style to be combined with the Art Nouveau style during the Second World War, a large part of the stained glass windows were removed for them to be saved.
It was impossible to find any trace of them and they were replaced by white glasses, ”recalls Camille Fimbel, archivist at Galeries Lafayette.
This structure, which overlooks the Galeries Lafayette, was built in 1912. It includes 1,900 stained-glass windows, spread over an area of 1,400 m2!
Caroline richard
In and the years 1939 and 1960, two elevations and the presence of the electric and hydraulic networks reduced the contribution of light on the canopy, which reduced the brightness of the dome.
The restitution of a light contribution was the starting point of the architectural project.
It was necessary to evacuate at the level of the rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin, passing through the roof, the 30,000 tonnes of hydraulic and electrical networks, as well as 1,900 stained-glass windows and 1,440 opaque glass from the old dome, meticulously numbered and 1665 glasses forming the old canopy, to clean and restore them.
The second stage of this work ended in April 2021. The management did not wish to reveal the “very significant” amount of this titanic project.
“A real luxury!
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From now on, natural light shines through the windows and colored stained-glass windows and the repair of the glass roof which overhangs the dome has made it possible to preserve the sealing which was defective. “In the 1960s, marked by the development of standardized shopping centers, many stores then masked their domes or their openings to the outside to recover the smallest square meter and keep customers cut off from their environment as long as possible. This vision has become unbearable and more particularly since the deconfinement, recalls Eric Costa. Keeping 700 square meters of space per floor is a real luxury for a business! "
Because the work is much more than a simple ornament. “What makes the store famous and successful all over the world is its dome,” recalls Eric Costa. To better illuminate it during events, LEDs have been installed and motorized hooks will allow installations to be suspended in addition to the traditional giant Christmas tree which sits in the air, in the middle of the store, during the end of the season. year. While waiting for the return of tourists, Parisians have only to look up to enjoy the show. And good news, the dome can undoubtedly be visited during Heritage Days.
