Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail
An Apple Store in Paris' Louvre pyramid
According to French newspaper La Tribune, Apple plans to build a 7700 square foot, two-level store underneath Le Louvre's pyramid. There's a shopping gallery underneath the world-famous museum, which attracts 8.7 million visitors each year and is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, according to La Tribune.Quite a grand location for what will be France's first official Apple Store.
We've got no details on when construction will begin or when the store will open, so we'll ask any TUAW readers in Paris to keep their eyes peeled for us.
Thanks for the tip, Tim!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
The Reptile said 10:09AM on 6-05-2008
I guess they're marketing to the Knights Templars who make their pilgramage to the tomb of St. Mary Magdalene/Holy Grail.
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etchasketch said 10:36AM on 6-05-2008
They've been waiting forever for a spot to open on the Champs-Elysées which would be the natural location for them. This is an underground mall, not bad but easy to miss unless you know it's there. There's a Virgin Megastore down there too.
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Michael said 10:35AM on 6-05-2008
It won't be directly under the Pyramid as that is the actual museum. There is a shopping centre there that is nice. The metro stops there as well... a nice station and very convenient. All top class!!!
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Brandon W said 12:27PM on 6-05-2008
I disagree. Although it seems like a great location - the majority of the people there are just waiting to get in to the museum and the line is usually long and filled with tourist from all over the world who are cranky and fresh from the tubes.
Apple usually wants to be a destination in itself - not a time waster while you're waiting to do something else. Also, getting to it will be a nightmare and may not be worth fighting the tourist traffic.
I loved the Lourve - but not the experience of trying to get in - the experience that Apple seems to want to associate itself with.
DR said 10:50AM on 6-05-2008
They already have one beneath a huge cube, this seems a natural step...
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Marc said 10:37AM on 6-05-2008
I love how if it's in France it's called a "shopping gallery" instead of a "shopping mall." European shoppers have so much more integrity than American ones.
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uds said 12:49AM on 6-06-2008
"A rose by any other name..."
Who cares what it's called, it's all the same.
Christian A. Stroemmen said 10:46AM on 6-05-2008
I'd be very surprised if this hasn't changed within the summer. The iPhone is constantly gaining ground, and pretty much everyone that has one uses the browser.
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Christian A. Stroemmen said 10:48AM on 6-05-2008
Nevermind that comment… Silly 1password. :p
I have no idea where this is supposed to be. I was there only 6 months ago and I can't remember seeing anything other than a huge hall (entrance to the museum) under there.
remy.vanherweghem said 10:50AM on 6-05-2008
Don't forget this commercial space is one of the only places in France merchants can be open 24/7.
J said 11:04AM on 6-05-2008
I look forward to Dan Brown writing a crappy novel that somehow ties the Louvre, the NY Cube, and the Regent's St Church in London (where I worship often) together with El Jobso and Jesus.
Maybe El Jobso is the illegitimate offspring of Mary - and thus the Jesus Phone!!!
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Judith said 10:28AM on 6-06-2008
It may *sound* ridiculous, but hey, I've been to the shopping gallery (and cafeteria!) several times and never actually inside the museum.
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Scott Stevenson said 12:20PM on 6-05-2008
This strikes me as an somewhat odd announcement considering Apple's not even going to be making an appearance at this year's Paris Apple Expo.
-Scott
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Christian A. Stroemmen said 12:50PM on 6-05-2008
I fail to see how this is odd. The two have nothing to do with each other. Apple not attending an Expo that takes place in Paris doesn't mean they don't want an Apple Store there.
Scott Stevenson said 1:26PM on 6-05-2008
It would be a natural thing for Apple to attend the Expo and then trump the fact that they have an official store now in Paris?
Maybe it's just me but seems like a logical thing to do.
-Scott
Martin Scheffer said 9:46PM on 6-05-2008
:)
they are not attending the Apple Expo, BECAUSE they have the Apple Stores to show off their products.
ecobore said 2:11PM on 6-05-2008
Underneath the INVERTED pyramid is a shopping centre and the PERFECT place for a big apple store. Apple penetration in France is not high, they need a high profile store and launch.
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Christopher Keiser said 4:23AM on 6-06-2008
Apple penetration in France is not high? Been living in Paris for the last 15 months, where are you? I find it rare to see PCs in my neighborhood, the 6th but I spend a lot of time in the 14th and 10th too. Just the amount of 12" PowerBooks that I have seen in the last week... My daughters school is full of Macs and not one PC. Look in the windows of offices/agencies and Macs are everywhere.
In the FNAC stores, there are already Apple boutiques which are quite large and always full of customers. Frankly, I cannot believe that there is not already a big Apple store here. I actually did a bunch of searches online, in total disbelief that I couldn't find one.
FWIW, there is a very big shopping area under the Louvre/Tuilleries, Le Carousel du Louvre. Quite easy to get into without going through the metal detector if you know which way to enter. Not gonna say because my kid and I like to side-step the lines when we want to go get our Egyptian antiquities quick-fix ;) Don't want to reveal locals info.
-Christopher
bibi-pov said 2:16PM on 6-05-2008
Don't get your hopes too high... There's been rumors of a store opening either there or on the Champs-Elysées for ages now. But still... no sign of a partially eaten fruit store. This may be caused by some sort of exclusivity deal with the FNAC retailer where there are Apple dedicated spaces... But I'd still love an Apple Store nearby!
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martin said 9:42PM on 6-05-2008
hard to imagine a better location for the Apple Store
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