Indissociable from the Belle-Époque and the splendor of the late 1890s, the Art Nouveau movement, characterized by its extreme richness, curves and abundant presence of leaves, trees and flowers, has left an indelible mark on the City of Light. Follow us on a journey back in time, through the most beautiful symbols and relics of this movement.
Guimard metro entrances
If you’re looking for the capital’s true Art Nouveau symbol, look no further than the subway entrances in your neighborhood. Some, designed by the hand of Hector Guimard, have become a veritable emblem of Paris over the years. Today, of the 167 built, only half have survived the test of time. An Art Nouveau vestige you can admire every day!
The Lavirotte building
The Lavirotte building was constructed in 1900 by architect Jules Lavirotte for ceramist Alexandre Bigot. The following year, in 1901, the building in Paris’s 7th arrondissement won the City of Paris’s competition. A veritable Art Nouveau masterpiece adorned with ceramics, moldings and sculpted balconies, its facade and roof were listed as a Monument Historique in 1964.
Immeuble Lavirotte, 29 Av. Rapp, 75007 Paris
Castel Béranger
In every list of the city’s most unusual facades and gateways, the Castel Béranger is also one of the finest representatives of Art Nouveau in Paris. While its facade of brick, millstone, stone and metal is well worth a visit, the building’s portal is the center of attention. Set between two columns, the small doorway with its turquoise ironwork and copper plates represents Art Nouveau in all its splendour!
Castel Béranger – 12-14, rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016
La Samaritaine
Freshly renovated and reopening to the public on June 23, 2021, La Samaritaine is enjoying a second lease of life after a 15-year hiatus. In this haven of Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewels, you can shop, stroll and make discoveries, as department store tradition dictates. In short, the heart of the Belle-Époque still beats here.
Samaritaine – 9, rue de la Monnaie, 75001
Parisian bouillons
As gourmets of the capital, it’s hard to miss the mad revival of Parisian bouillons. A major part of the Parisian culinary tradition, these generous, inexpensive bistros have been on a roll for some years now. True nuggets of the Art Nouveau movement, they are eagerly sought after both for their typical bistro cuisine and for their stunning decor, which transports us straight back to the Paris of yesteryear!