Galeries Lafayette has become a symbol of French luxury shopping. As one of the world’s best known department stores, it offers French and international customers a carefully curated edit of affordable and premium brands. Located in the ninth arrondissement close to the L’Opéra, it has become an essential destination for visitors. It carries more than 2,500(!) brands across womenswear, menswear, beauty and homeware. It is an ideal place if you want to invest in the latest trends. Or if you just want to pick up some luxury souvenirs from Paris. Galeries Lafayette is the perfect way to while away an afternoon, or more like it, a whole day. Here, we take a look at the top 9 facts about one of the world’s most celebrated luxury shopping department stores.
Cousins Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn opened the first Galeries Lafayette in 1894. The store, in the style of a luxury bazaar, was on the corner of rue la Fayette in the ninth arrondissement.
By 1896, the store was able to expand with the purchase of the whole building at 1 rue la Fayette, followed in 1903 by the acquisition of 38, 40 and 42 boulevard Haussmann. The original store is now spread across three buildings and offers 65,000 square metres of retail space.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is famous for the huge art nouveau cupola. Created in 1912, it remains the architectural centrepiece of the store. The colourful stained glass was the work of Jacques Grüber.
The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store is the second most popular visitor attraction in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.
The first floor of Galeries Lafayette is dedicated to today’s top luxury labels alongside up-and-coming luxury brands in two special ‘laboratories’. The designer laboratory is a unique concept specially designed to showcase new design talent from across the world.
Although it is best known for its impressive retail offering, Galeries Lafayette also has more than 20 restaurants and cafés, a Décleor spa, three hair salons and two Chanel treatment booths.
Galeries Lafayette Haussman has its own cultural space called the Galerie des Galeries, which gives visitors the chance to see emerging talents of today and tomorrow.
The store was one of the first to put on special events for shoppers, such as celebrated aviator Jules Védrines’ successful landing on the roof in 1919. The seventh-floor roof terrace remains one of the highlights of the store, offering visitors spectacular views across Paris.
Galeries Lafayette are spread worldwide — from Dubai to Milan. And the newest edition opened just recently on the Champs-Elysées.
Tatjana is a natural born fashion killa. Mesmerised by the influential designers creative escapades, she's always waiting for the next big thing to hit the runway. When she's not lusting after an Oscar de la Renta dress, she's giving her undivided attention to Hermès bow ties and macarons from Ladurée.
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