Droguerie de la Tour
The transformation of a fourth-generation family-owned hardware/drugstore inside a 15th century medieval tower
Chapter 01
Project Highlights
- The transformation of a 1450’s building into a modern store for a pristine customer experience
- A new interior layout for a reconfigured store layout, shelf space for 8,500 products, an updated cellar stock area, and a dedicated office
- The creation of a graphic design used for signage and staff uniforms
- A custom design for interior furniture to fit the medieval tower
- Ecological solutions for energy saving (light and heating)
- A design-for-all concept responding to multiple impairments, including hearing, sight, and motor skills
- An enhanced window footprint for improving the view into the store for passing pedestrians
- An adherence to updated historical/classified codes from “Architectes des Bâtiments de France”
Chapter 02
Challenges
- Modernizing and configuring a building which was nested inside a medieval tower built in 1450, became a hardware/drugstore in 1820, and was again reimagined in 1970
- Working with a deadline of four weeks to complete a full restoration
- Adhering to the historical restoration guidelines regarding the historical building, façade, windows, and signage
- Retrofitting the building for the required handicap access
Chapter 03
The place
Droguerie de la Tour has traded in the heart of Saint-Étienne, by the place du Peuple, since 1820, which makes it one of the oldest shops still open in the city. Its building leans against a medieval tower from the time Saint-Étienne was still enclosed by fortifications.
It has stayed in one family for four generations: the shop already belonged to the great-grandparents of Marie-Frédérique Fillion, who took over its direction in September 2024.
The shop has existed since 1820. I’m not going to upset that traditional identity, but I want to move towards French brands and more local industry.
Sources: ESSOR Loire, “A Saint-Etienne, la Droguerie de la Tour passe le relais”, 5 December 2024 · Minformer, “La fabuleuse histoire de la Droguerie de la Tour”, 21 March 2026
The starting point
Before
The result
The finished space
