Galeries Lafayette

One of the most exciting things to do in Paris is to shop. France is where various world-renowned luxury brands made their start and are now adored worldwide. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, on Haussmann Boulevard, is known as one of the most traditional department stores and is located in the heart of Paris in the 9th arrondissement (borough). The location is right behind the stunning Opéra Garnier, another famous and must-see tourist spot. Galeries Lafayette is composed of three buildings which are: the Coupole - the main building, Homme - men's building, and Maison & Gourmet - home decor and gastronomy building. There are over 3,500 brands in total which give you an extremely rich selection and a great variety of items. Below, we have gathered a few tips in order for you to have the best experience at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. 

The most romantic shopping experience in Paris

At Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, you can enjoy the classical and romantic atmosphere. Upon entering, you may be taken aback by the gorgeous dome in the main building. Galeries Lafayette had its start in the 19th century and the main building was opened in October of 1912. As it is a historical building, you can find several extraordinary spots in Galeries Lafayette such as the design of the dome, decoration of the ancient lift, and part of ancient Stairs of Honor from the 20th century (escalier de l’Honeur). The gorgeous architecture was inspired by Opéra and the antique decorations were designed in the Art Nouveau style. When it first opened, it was a symbolic location for Parisians and tourists to attend and to be seen by the public. Attendees dressed in their best clothes and accessories in order to be viewed by others as wealthy and of high societal standing. 

Coupole - The Main Building

The main building has undergone an exciting reorganization, now offering a meticulously curated selection of fashion, accessories, and lifestyle products across its seven floors.

Ground Floor (0F) :

Step into a world of luxury with a dedicated space for leather goods and accessories. Discover exquisite pieces that combine craftsmanship and style.

First Floor (1F) :

Indulge in high-end fashion with collections from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Prada, Dioir and Bottega Veneta...etc.

This floor also features brands like Loewe and Moynat. Explore the perfume and beauty section centered around couples. Don't miss the Wine Gate, offering a sophisticated selection of wines.

Second Floor (2F) :

Experience the epitome of French chic with luxury accessories from Jacquemus, Courrèges, Isabel Marant, and Kenzo.

Also, find contemporary collections like JW Anderson, Marine Serre, and Victoria Beckham. The Designer Galleries showcase cutting-edge fashion from brands such as Germanier and Forte Forte.

Third Floor (3F) :

Embrace niche fashion with ready-to-wear brands like Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot, ROUJE, APC, and Zadig & Voltaire...etc.

Visit RESTORE for upcycled and second-hand items, where you can find unique pieces at small prices with huge surprises.

This innovative space promotes sustainable shopping and ethical consumption, offering a curated selection of pre-loved items and creatively upcycled fashion. Additionally, enjoy personalized luxury shopping services (Click here to find out more).

Fourth Floor (4F):

This is the ultimate destination for shoe lovers, featuring the Designer Gallery with iconic brands like Off White, Birkenstock... etc. The newly redesigned women's shoe department showcases a diverse selection of high-end brands, including Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Dior, and Prada. 

With a spacious and luxurious setting, you can explore the latest trends and timeless classics, ensuring that every step you take is stylish and elegant.

Fifth Floor (5F) :

A paradise for kids, you will be welcomed by a giant piano. This level offers luxury children's fashion from brands like Gucci, Dior, and Burberry.

Enjoy playful experiences like Jellycat toys, LEGO, and customizable plush toys at "Build-A-Bear."

Sixth Floor (6F) :

Discover a vast section dedicated to Parisian souvenirs, perfect for finding unique and memorable gifts.

This floor features a wide array of items from iconic brands, including Eiffel Tower models, French gourmet products, fashion accessories, and exclusive Paris-themed memorabilia.

Whether you're looking for a piece of Paris to take home or a special gift for someone, the expanded souvenir section offers an extensive selection to choose from.

Seventh/Top Floor (Rooftop):

Enjoy a summer retreat on the terrace with the vegetarian restaurant Créatures, offering a delightful dining experience under the Parisian sky.

At this level, you can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital, from the Eiffel Tower to the Montmartre district, and the beauty of the city's rooftops.

Homme - Men's building 

Let’s move to the men's building. It’s accessible through a glass-made hallway on the 1st and 2nd floor from the main building. There, you can discover all of the men's fashion items from clothing to accessories. The ground floor only has accessories such as watches, leather goods, sunglasses, and various other items. The higher floors, you will find luxurious fashion brands and affordable brands that include the Galeries Lafayette original brand and sportswear. What lavish choices!

Maison & Gourmet

The home & gourmet store is located right opposite the men's building. On the ground floor and the 1st floor, there are French gourmet products, and on the 2nd and 3rd floor, you can find kitchen tools and home interior accessories. For home decoration options, there are various luxurious home interior brands to choose from which include The Conran Shop.

When you enter the building, the irresistibly good smells of French gastronomy will entrance you. Their chocolate, bread, cheese, French sausages are all fresh and ready to eat. It is worth your time and money to try a bit of everything! Your tastebuds will thank you. If you want to venture away from French cuisine, there are also Spanish and Italian restaurants, a steakhouse, a lobster house, and various other meal choices from around the world. For dessert, you can try the famous chocolate shop Dalloyau or the cafe Yann Couvreur. 

The must-see spot in this department store is the stylish cave for wines on the 1st floor. There, you can find a precious and historical collection of Bordeaux wines. The magnificent display is like a mini wine museum. There are also cognacs, Rémy Martin in Baccarat crystal bottles, and champagnes. The price for a bottle of wine varies from 4-5 euros, depending on your bottle of choice. Meanwhile, the high taste and quality of all their wines are guaranteed even with the low wines for 4 euros. Even if you are not interested in purchasing very expensive alcohol, it's worth coming here to buy a cheaper bottle, and then stroll down to the Seine river to enjoy it while having a picnic, or to take it back to your hotel room.  

Enjoy various exciting events in Galeries Lafayette

In Galeries Lafayette, lots of events are held all year long. Especially its Christmas event is magnificent. Galeries Lafayette is known as one of the biggest Christmas trees in Paris. Every year, the concept of the Christmas event is changed. So, the decoration of their huge Christmas tree is different each year. In 2021, the theme is an original story called « 1, 2, 3, Noël ! » which is about an adventure of toys. The tree and show windows are beautifully decorated and excite visitors. The Christmas event is not only for watching but also for playing. At Galeries Lafayette, there are many playgrounds such as a roller-skating place, a photo spot with Santa Clause, and so on. 

At the Galerie des Galeries, you can see more creative and artistic exhibitions. As various events corresponding to each season are held in Galeries Lafayette, you can enjoy not only shopping but also entertainment and various photo opportunities with your children, spouse, or friends! The entire experience feels like an extremely luxurious amusement park that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. 

O'bon Paris' special offer and Tax refund

With the O’bon Paris’ coupon, you can get exclusive offers when you purchase a total over a certain amount. To get the offers, you need to present both your receipts and the O'bon Paris’ coupon to the Concierge on the 1st floor of the main building. You can combine receipts from Galeries Lafayette except for any purchases for services, restaurants, and cafes. Click here to get your special coupons.

When you spend over 100 euros, you can receive a tax refund at Concierge. If you spend over 600 euros and use an O’bon Paris coupon, you can receive a tax refund in the luxurious lounge of the Concierge, which provides immediate assistance. In the lounge as you see in the photo above, you can rest with a free drink like coffee, champagne, juice, or water, and snacks like chocolate, madeleines, and more (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drink and snack service is temporarily not available). There is also a tax refund machine available in multiple languages that can be done by card or cash. The concierge and a tax refund machine are located on the 1st floor between Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, and their multilingual staff is ready to assist you. Get more information about tax refunds from here.

O'bon Paris tip

Galeries Lafayette contributes to a variety of aspects of our society. Not only are they selling luxurious items but they are also conscientious of the items they sell and bring focus to more ethical products. They cater to everyone and families with small children by providing various fun activities to entertain the young, while also having large enough lifts for strollers and wheelchairs. About various activities, there are French cuisine workshops, macaron pastry classes, original Fashion shows, and so on. You can book them right under this paragraph. Don't forget to use the code GLOBONPARIS to get a 10% discount!

Author - Yuka

Photographs - O'bon Paris team