On the corner of Haussmann Boulevard and the d'Anten highway, an Art Nouveau building was built, whose facade has been known to all shopaholics and fashionists since 1912. The Galeries Lafayette in Paris is a network of department stores, and the largest of them is located in Dubai. However, all over the world the name Galeries Lafayette is associated with this glass dome, bizarre mosaics and lancet windows.
History of creation
Lafayette is not just a department store, it is a real Mecca for shopaholics not only in France, but also in other countries. The gallery was founded in 1893 by immigrants from Alsace, cousins Alfons Kahn and Theophil Bader. The decision to open a point of sale in one of the busiest areas, and even not far from the station, turned out to be right, because hundreds of people from provinces and neighboring cities came here every day.
Good location and good management soon bore fruit in the form of a steadily growing income. Thus, it was decided to expand the territory by acquiring buildings adjacent to the gallery. Already in 1906, the brothers turned to George Shedan with a request to do redevelopment. A talented architect completed the work after 6 years. So in 1912 the official address of the Galeries Lafayette appeared in Paris: 40, Boulevard Haussmann.
Shedan brilliantly coped with the work, building a real masterpiece. The neo-Byzantine-style glass dome has rightfully earned a place on the list of architectural monuments. Special attention should be paid to the roof of an eight-story building, from where a stunning panorama of the capital opens up to this day. From here you can clearly see the visiting card of Paris - the Eiffel Tower, the Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the Sacre Coeur Basilica built on top of Montmartre Hill.
Photo "Galleries Lafayette" in Paris: today
Now the department store still covers an area of 120,000 m2, but much has changed since 1912. For example, the number of brands represented has long exceeded three hundred. Clothing, household goods, products, delicacies, accessories, perfumes, shoes - here you can find everything and even more. No wonder the place is called a paradise for shopaholics and fashion lovers.
Every day, at least 80,000 customers drop in at numerous boutiques, and on Christmas this figure doubles as the gallery announces discounts and promotions.
In addition, the administration constantly organizes fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions and vernissages. For example, in 2010, the Yves Saint Laurent brand organized a show called “Fashion is you!”, Whose participants were not professional models, but ordinary people.
A many-hour walk through the boutiques exhausts even incorrigible shopaholics. The gastronomic court has excellent bars and restaurants where you can taste chic dishes and even the famous French sparkling wine.
Lafayette coupole
This is the main shopping center in the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, where you can buy absolutely any goods for newborns, children and women - toys, jewelry, household appliances, shoes, clothes, underwear, cosmetics, accessories, jewelry and much more.
On the sixth floor there are wedding boutiques. Grooms and brides come here not only in France, but also in the whole world to pick up the most luxurious costumes and dresses from the best European designers.
Homme and Maison
If goods for children and women were presented in the main building, the territory of the second completely belongs to the stronger sex. Unfortunately, the place cannot boast the same wide assortment, but it is worth a look here at least for a visit to Lafayette Gourmet, which sells the most exquisite delicacies.
Covering an area of 10,000 m2, Maison is located opposite the first two buildings. Here is a wide selection of home goods: furniture, bedding, home decoration, luxury crystal glassware, porcelain, silverware.
On the ground floor, be sure to check out the Alain Ducasse boutique, where every visitor can enjoy a piece of real chocolate made according to an old classic recipe for free.
This building hosts weekly Friday free half-hour fashion shows. But from January to April, an exhibition is organized by the designer Jean-Paul Lespagnard called TillweDrop.
Christmas magic
Long before a magical holiday, the windows of the department store are fabulously transformed and attract thousands of lights of residents and guests of the capital.
For example, last year's tree was the largest in Paris and literally soared over the perfume department. In 2016, the gallery became the first store in the world in which the New Year tree was created from paper. Lafayette storefronts told of the amazing adventures of a bear family.
But the most stunning Christmas spectacle was “Chrysalida" - a light product in honor of the centenary of the shopping center. The creation of an unprecedented show was entrusted to Jan Kersale. Together with the talented architect Jurik Tardio, he created a light picture on the facade of the building, which changes with the advent of the new season.
Practical tips and reviews of tourists
If your trip is planned between Easter and October, then it is better to choose Friday to visit the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. On this day, free fashion shows are held weekly on the 7th floor. In order not to be in the last rows, you can pre-register in three ways:
- by phone;
- send an email
- fill out a special form.
All the above actions can be performed only on the official (French) site.
Please note that the Welcomme service is located on the ground floor of the Lafayette Coupole. Foreign language staff work for information desks. Here you can not only get answers to your questions, but also take a map of a gallery or city, use the services of an interpreter, go to the restroom, hand over bags and outerwear for the duration of the shopping.
Happy Paris Vizite cardholders who have made a purchase worth more than 40 euros receive an additional 10% discount. However, the promotion does not apply to all products. Therefore, it is recommended to clarify this nuance in the information departments first.
Galeries Lafayette in Paris is partnering with Global Blue, which means you have the opportunity to use the service "Tax Exemption" and return 12% of the amount of purchases. The Tax Free Shoping clearance office is located on the ground floor of the Lafayette Coupole. It is also possible to refund cash directly at the department store.
Important information for shopaholics: prices in the gallery are significantly different from Russian for the better. To familiarize yourself with the assortment, discounts and make a purchasing decision, you can visit the official French website of the online store.
As tourists admit in their reviews, the Galeries Lafayette in Paris attracts not only with pleasant prices for the soul and wallet, but also with the beauty of the building.
It was also noted that Lafayette Gourmet, a delicatessen store reminiscent of a medieval market, attracted the attention first. Especially the place is recommended for lovers of fine French cuisine.
The beautiful half of humanity was also impressed by the main building. After all, all 7 floors of Coupole are a real kingdom of children's and women's fashion. In their reviews, shoppers shared the main secret: for sandals from the author's collections you need to run to the basement.
In the department store there was a separate place for romantic natures. There are 2 restaurants on the roof of the building: the first is very expensive and luxurious, and the second works as a self-service and pleases visitors with affordable prices. However, one thing unites them - from the windows it opens a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower.
Galeries Lafayette in Paris: opening hours, address, how to get
The department store occupies almost the entire territory of the quarter, and you can get into it through several entrances. But for this you need to at least know the location of the building. So, you can reach your destination in three ways:
- On shuttle buses with numbers 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 43, 95, 32, 66, 94, 91, 43, 68.
- Metro. First you need to get to the station Chaussée d'Antin - Lafayette. Next, go through the underpass, following the sign with the inscription Grands Magasins and not leaving the street. This route will lead you to the main hall of the department store.
- Take the RER train in two lines: E (Haussmann St-Lazare) and A (Auber).
Opening hours of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris:
- Monday-Saturday - from 9:30 to 19:30;
- on Thursdays, the department store is open until 21:00;
- Sunday is a day off.
Visit Galeries Lafayette worth at least for the sake of cognitive interest. Be sure to go into the main building, admire the unique interior and enjoy the atmosphere reigning inside. At the end, go to the center of the hall, look up to finally admire the luxury of a huge Byzantine-style glass dome.