Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche in Paris, the world's oldest department store

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, a veritable temple to fashion and refinement, has been brightening up the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district since its creation in the 19th century. Now part of the LVMH group, the store attracts an international clientele with its cutting-edge selection of luxury brands, emerging designers and exclusive products. Throughout the store, you'll find fashion, decor, beauty, jewelry, lingerie and children's corners, and at the very top, a huge bookstore and stationery shop.

Founded in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut, the world' s oldest department store revolutionized the world of commerce by introducing innovative concepts such as fixed prices and refund policies. His ambition was to make shopping accessible to all social classes.

Over the years, Le Bon Marché has evolved into a must-visit destination, synonymous with luxury and modernity. Its remarkable architecture, a blend of steel and glass, bears witness to a successful alliance between tradition and innovation. The store has adapted to trends while preserving its heritage, becoming a reflection of Parisian chic.

One of its many qualities? Elevating shopping to an artistic and cultural experience. The department store's calendar is punctuated by a series of free exhibitions highlighting the crème de la crème of trendy brands around a particular theme. The address has already invited renowned artists such as Prune Nourry, Pilippe Katerine, Subodh Gupta and Rossy De Palma to take over its spaces...

And right next door to Bon Marché Rive Gauche, on rue de Sèvres, La Grande Épicerie de Paris, dedicated to gastronomy, is a den of flavors where gourmets can indulge in fine food shopping. Upstairs is thehome furnishings, bed linen and tablewarearea, linked to the main store by a glass walkway.

Even today,Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche remains a symbol of French chic, charming the hearts of lovers of French fashion and elegance.

What not to miss

Various and assorted objects: the free and immersive exhibition by Song Dong at Le Bon Marché — our photos
For its 11th edition, the January art showcase at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche pays tribute to Song Dong, the renowned Chinese artist renowned for transforming everyday objects into living memory. From January 10 to February 22, 2026, his free exhibition, "Various and Diverse Objects – 百货 (baihuò)", takes over the store's showcases, features two large-scale installations beneath the glass roof, and immerses visitors in an interactive experience on the second floor. [Read more]

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche: torchlight tours of the world's oldest department store
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is embracing sleepless nights with a special nocturnal experience, flashlight in hand. Once a month, from January 29 to February 12, 2026, this iconic address will open its doors after hours, revealing its behind-the-scenes world in a whole new light (or rather, a whole new night). History, architecture, and artistic heritage take center stage on this exclusive tour where every corner whispers the secrets of Paris’s very first grand department store. [Read more]

Babel, by Mourad Merzouki: a dance performance at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, extended runs – our review
This fall, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is unveiling Babel, the latest production from hip-hop icon Mourad Merzouki. Running from September 4 to December 31, 2025, and then again from September 3 to December 31, 2026, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening at closing time, the store hosts an captivating new dance performance featuring ten talented circus artists and dancers. [Read more]

• To be read
• Where to shop for bargains in Paris?
• The best deals in Paris and Île-de-France this week, from January 19 to 25, 2026

Les Récrés du Bon Marché: creative workshops and kids' club for family shopping
Is shopping with the family mission impossible? Not if you can find a kids' club or children's area on site, obviously! In any case, that's the concept behind Le Bon Marché's Récrés. [Read more]

Le Bon Marché and Collector Square buy back your luxury items (bags, jewelry, watches, etc.).
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is now offering Collector Square to buy back your luxury items. To take advantage of the service, visit the corner of the online platform for luxury and second-hand accessories, to drop off watches, bags and small leather goods, and perhaps even benefit from advantages in the department store. [Read more]

Caffè L'Appuntamento: the first coffee shop signed The Socialite Family, at the Bon Marché Rive Gauche
The Socialite Family, the fashionable decoration brand, is preparing to open its first café at the Bon Marché Rive Gauche. As of April 1, 2023, the Caffè L'Appuntamento, with its Milanese café look, invites gourmets and lovers of the art of living to travel to the capital of design! [Read more]