Aux Dames de France, Art Nouveau department store in Place de Catalogne, Perpignan, France.
Aux Dames de France is an Art Nouveau department store in Perpignan situated between the old town and train station, featuring an ornate facade with decorative details. The building rises across multiple levels with retail spaces throughout and showcases characteristic early 20th century design elements and materials.
Architect Georges Debrie designed this store in 1905, creating a building that embodied modern commercial ambitions of early France. Major renovations in 1963 transformed much of its original interior structure, though the facades remained largely intact.
The name Aux Dames de France reflects how department stores marketed themselves to female shoppers in the early 1900s. The layout and design reveal how these buildings functioned as social gathering places where shopping became part of urban culture.
The building houses multiple retail spaces across different floors, though access and uses continue to evolve. Plan to explore the exterior and public areas, as some interior sections may be undergoing modifications.
The facades received official protection status in 1999, meaning any changes must follow strict guidelines. This protection elevated the building as one of the preserved Art Nouveau landmarks in southern France.
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