Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché is the massive gray stone block on the corner, distinguished by the glass-covered iron walkways that link its two buildings across the street. Aristide Boucicaut transformed this from a small haberdashery into the world's first modern department store in eighteen fifty-two. He introduced fixed prices, home delivery, and a return policy, replacing the custom of haggling. One afternoon, a woman fainted inside, and Boucicaut ordered his staff to carry her to his private apartment to recover until she felt better.