This historic site on the Champs-Élysées is about to be reinvested. Hard to miss when driving along the Champs, Citroën's former C42, once the carmaker's international showcase, has a unique façade that can't be missed.
For the record, Citroën set its sights on the Champs in 1984. In 1984, the showroom was replaced by the Hippopotamus chain (Hippo Citroën). In 2021, the brand decided to return it to its original showroom function. In 2002, the young architect Manuelle Gautrand won the competition organized by Citroën to restore the site to its former prestige. Inaugurated in 2007, the multi-storey building features a glass façade in the shape of the Citroën logo, allowing visitors to see the cars on display from the main avenue.
Barely 10 years later, the axe fell: Citröen decided to leave the avenue for reasons of marketing policy, leaving the building empty and derelict for many years. It has to be said that, with its emblematic façade, it's difficult for brands to make the premises their own.
However, something new has been added. The C42, which had been undergoing renovation for some time, has just installed its advertising facade, announcing the opening this spring of a Salomon department store. This is the French brand's 3rd store to open in Paris.
So, with the cars out of the way, it's sports and leisure goods that will be on display here, just before the start of the Paris Olympic Games. Clothes, sneakers and other accessories will be waiting for you very soon.
The waltz of changes continues on the world's most beautiful avenue. A Disney Store has been replaced by Levi's, Abercrombie has been replaced by a restaurant chain, Fnac has announced it will close at the end of the year, cinemas are closing and Hôtel Vuitton is leaving. We haven't seen the last of Paris's most beautiful avenue...
