Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

Overview

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is not just a department store; it is an architectural masterpiece and the bustling epicenter of Parisian high fashion. It offers an intoxicating blend of luxury shopping and breathtaking Belle Époque design.

Highlights

• The Coupole: The astonishing, 43-metre-high neo-Byzantine stained-glass dome illuminating the colossal central atrium.
• The Rooftop Terrace: An expansive, free observation deck offering fantastic, close-up views of the Palais Garnier opera house and the Eiffel Tower.
• The Glass Walkway: A suspended glass bridge extending straight out into the atrium for spectacular photograph opportunities.

History

Opened in 1912 in its current palatial form, it revolutionized the concept of the department store. Designed to be a "luxury bazaar," the central atrium, grandiose staircases, and exquisite ironwork were explicitly designed to make the everyday act of shopping feel like a major cultural event.

Visitor Tips

• Navigation: The store is massive and spread across three separate buildings (Main, Men's, and Home/Gourmet).
• Christmas: During the holiday season, the massive, suspended Christmas tree in the atrium is one of the most famous sights in Paris.
• Duration: 1 hour for architecture and views, far longer for shopping.