Félix Potin Building, Art Nouveau department store in 2nd arrondissement, France
Description
The Félix Potin Building is a five-story retail structure featuring Art Nouveau design elements, located at the corner of Boulevard Sébastopol and Rue Réaumur. The corner turret displays gold lettering against a dark background, while the facade combines elaborate exterior ornaments with large street-level display windows.
History
Félix Potin began as a retail venture in 1844 and grew into one of Paris's major commercial enterprises. The architect Charles Lemaresquier designed this building in 1910 as a modern showcase for the expanded business.
Culture
The structure displays neo-baroque ornaments with cornucopias and natural motifs that reflected how French retail presented itself in the early 1900s. These decorative details served as visual advertising, making the building itself a statement about commerce and abundance.
Practical
The building stands at a busy corner location that is easy to explore on foot. Large windows at street level allow for viewing the facade and architectural details from the sidewalk.
Did you know?
The mosaic facade displays period advertising for different departments including a pastry section and a tea service offering. This direct marketing approach on the building itself reflects how retail stores promoted their diverse product range to passersby.
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