In the historic centre of Lyon, LOULOU is an example of store design applied to contemporary eyewear. The new space, designed by architect Johany Sapet on rue Gasparin, combines pink concrete, dark wood and brushed metal to create an intimate environment dedicated to eyewear culture. Here, retail architecture, curatorial selection and material research converge in a shopping experience that turns the choice of glasses into a process of discovery.
The store design transforms eyewear into a curated experience
Along rue Gasparin, one of the most elegant streets in central Lyon, the terracotta façade introduces a store that interprets glasses as design objects. The new location marks an important step in the evolution of LOULOU, already recognised by independent eyewear enthusiasts and recently named among the five best opticians in the world by the international magazine Eyestylist.
The boutique stands out for an approach that moves beyond traditional product display. Glasses are presented as objects to observe, compare and discover carefully, within an environment that favours dialogue and personalised consultation.
The eyewear selection defines the identity of the project
LOULOU’s identity is rooted in careful research into the collections on display. The frames come from independent designers and international brands selected for their design quality, formal experimentation and attention to production.
Brands such as Ahlem, Jacquemus, Lapima, Kuboraum, Oscar Magnuson, La Petite Lunette Rouge and Mykita define a proposal where design, craftsmanship and contemporary culture come together. In this context, display becomes a design tool capable of enhancing each product without overloading the space.
Pink concrete, dark wood and brushed metal define an essential language
For the new store, the founders entrusted the project to Johany Sapet, a professional known in Lyon’s creative scene for projects in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.
The interior architecture is built around a reduced yet highly distinctive material palette. Pink concrete covers walls and surfaces, helping to create a warm and recognisable atmosphere. Dark wood adds visual depth and continuity between furniture and storage elements, while brushed metal defines essential and lightweight display systems.
The combination of these materials creates a balance between sobriety and character, avoiding any unnecessary decorative elements.
The layout supports a slow and personal customer journey
The organisation of the interiors guides visitors through a gradual discovery of the collections. The main floor recalls the atmosphere of a contemporary boudoir, where each area is designed to support observation, try-on and consultation.
The display elements maintain a discreet presence and allow the frames to become the protagonists of the space. This choice brings the store closer to the language of design galleries, where products are enhanced through distance, light and composition.
The approach reflects the principles of quiet luxury, a vision based on quality, design rigour and attention to detail rather than forms of ostentation.
Lighting enhances display, materials and visual hierarchy
Lighting plays a decisive role in the perception of the space. Adjustable spotlights and integrated light points highlight the display areas, helping to create a clear reading of the collections.
Light emphasises the texture of the concrete, the metallic surfaces and the tones of the wood, creating depth without altering the intimate atmosphere of the boutique. The result is an environment where materials, product and architecture work together to shape the experience.
With its new location on rue Gasparin, LOULOU consolidates its role in the international panorama of independent eyewear. The project shows how retail architecture, curatorial selection and material quality can contribute to defining a store capable of transforming a purchase into a cultural and design experience.
Location: Lyon, France
Design: Johany Sapet
Photo credits: Sabine Serrat