The temple of shopping: The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris is not just an ordinary department store, it is a sumptuous temple of shopping. Opened in 1894, a few decades after other iconic Parisian shops like the BHV and Le Bon Marché, the perfect location of this newcomer to the department store scene, attracted visitors very quickly. Today, the department store’s magnificent Art Nouveau Cupola encloses 70,000 square meters of retail floor space. To visit absolutely.

“Luxury bazaar”

In 1893, two cousins decided to open a shop in Paris selling novelty items in a small haberdashery, measuring just 70 m2. The internal layout of the store, which encouraged customers to move along the aisles in straight lines, led to its name “Aux Galeries Lafayette”. The good location of the store, near to the Opera and the Grands Boulevards, attracted crowds of Parisians, and soon the store started getting bigger. The flagship Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store was inaugurated as a “luxury bazaar” in October 1912. A vast banner on the store façade was announcing: “Galeries Lafayette, the best merchandise in all of Paris.” And it was a real success. Soon, Parisians, from the wealthy bourgeoisie to working class people, started going to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, to shop or to grab a quick snack at their lunch break.

Spectacular 360-degree view

Today, in the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann you can find more than 3 500 brands from all around the world, ranging from the affordable to luxury, along with 25 restaurants. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, L’Occitane, Jacadi, Petit Bateau are just some of the stores were you can shop. Take a break from shopping in the tea house Angelina or enjoy in a cup of a delicious hot chocolate “a l’ancienne”. On the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, you will find the restaurant “La Paillote and Cube bar”. This place is perfect to have a lunch or dinner enjoying the spectacular 360-degree view on the Parisian monuments from the panoramic terrace. And if your child is not sharing your enthusiasm for shopping, every Saturday there are some special free of charge activities just for them, like “Mug for Dad” workshop where your child will learn to make a mug decorated with a picture of his dad.

Practical information

The temple of shopping: The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm. Metro: Opera et Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette. The guided 45-minute tours of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann are available for a group of 10 to 20 people. They are free of charge and arranged upon request in the department store. A personal shopper is also available, and VIP services include the ordering of limousines and package deliveries to hotels.