With its 170 years of existence, Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in the world. To celebrate this anniversary, an unprecedented immersive theatre experience is offered from September 2nd to December 30th. Go back in time and immerse yourself in one of the greatest works of French literature during your stay at the Hotel du Danube.
Le Bon Marché, a history of innovation
Le Bon Marché, as well as the very concept of a department store, was born from the vision of an enterprising couple, Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut. In 1852, the haberdashers transformed their small shop into a grand magasin(department store) where customers could wander around, compare and choose. Other innovations they introduced included fixed prices, guarantees for exchanges and refunds, home delivery and mail order. This success story inspired Émile Zola's masterpiece novel, Au Bonheur des Dames. It was therefore natural that this work should be the basis of an immersive theatre experience celebrating the 170th anniversary of Le Bon Marché.
Shopping with Zola
Every evening, from 20:30 to 23:00, a floor of Le Bon Marché is transformed into a stage where the actors wander around. Inspired by Zola's Au Bonheur des Dames, which recounts the daily life of a department store and its employees, the play invites you to take part in its unfolding. The public is invited to play a role in this experience, pushing back the boundaries between the imaginary and the real. It’s a true revolution in the concept of theatre and the stage and a life-size immersion in one of the key works of French literature.
Le Bon Marché, a key player in the elegant 7th arrondissement of Paris, becomes a temporary stage for a unique event. Less than fifteen minutes on foot from the Hotel du Danube, you can enjoy an experience outside of time and reality!
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Photo: laurencesoulez
Hotel du Danube, a 3 star hotel in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district