Located on the Grand Boulevards, Galeries Lafayette is not only a major shopping center of the French capital, but also an important historical landmark of the city.
History and modernity
In 1894, successful Alsatian merchants cousins Theophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn decided to open a store in Paris, organizing trade on a new principle. Initially it was just a small shop on the Rue Lafayette, where they sold haberdashery goods at fixed prices. The trade was doing so well that the cousins soon considered expanding the space, acquiring three nearby buildings on Boulevard Haussmann and a house on rue Chaussée d’Antan. In 1907, construction work began under the direction of architect Georges Chédan and his apprentice Ferdinand Chanu. Bader decided to impress Parisians with the luxurious design of the store, inviting the best decorators of the art school of Nancy to decorate it. The top of the building was covered with a stained glass dome in neo-Byzantine style, the creation of which was entrusted to the famous master J. Gruber.
In October 1912, the grand opening of the huge shopping center took place. Visitors admired both the splendid decoration of the store, made in the refined Art Nouveau style, and the huge assortment of products sold in 96 departments. Moreover, the owners of Galeries Lafayette thought over all the details: a tea salon, a smoking room and a reading room were provided for the customers’ comfort. Later, in 1957, the five-storey building was added on two floors, it also had an underground parking lot. However, even now the department store strikes the imagination with its exquisite decoration, spectacularly decorated shop windows and a huge selection of all kinds of goods.
Store and more
The shopping complex, which covers an area of over 30 thousand square meters, consists of several free-standing buildings connected by passages. Galeries Lafayette can be rightfully called a paradise for shopaholics: here you can buy almost everything: from a set of needles to super trendy designer clothes for children and adults, from CDs to the latest iPhone. Separate divisions offer products for men, home goods, and the Gourmet Gallery offers delicious delicacies and specialties.
The store is home to more than two dozen bars, restaurants and cafes of different price categories. Shoppers can sip coffee at the democratic Starbucks or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at the refined Angelina tea salon. Particularly popular is the bar and restaurant located on the roof terrace of Galeries Lafayette, where you can sit and admire the beautiful panorama of Paris.
Interesting facts and useful tips
- In 1919, an airplane landed on the roof of a store as part of an advertising campaign. Aviator Jules Verdin received a reward of 25,000 francs, but had to pay a fine, becoming the first offender in the air.
- In 1951, the largest escalator in Europe was put into operation in Galeries Lafayette. In honor of this event, a concert of singer Edith Piaf was held in the shopping center.
- On the first floor you can visit the Galeries des Galeries cultural area, where exhibitions of young artists and designers are held (the exhibitions change four times a year).
- The department store regularly hosts free fashion shows; the departments featuring cosmetic brands often offer free makeup artist sessions.
- When making purchases over 175 euros, non-residents of the European Union can count on a VAT refund. To do this, it is enough to apply for Tax Free at a special department.
- There are free tours of the shopping center lasting 45 minutes; to take part in them, you just need to send an application to the official website of the store.
- Galeries Lafayette produces goods under its own brands; these include Cadet Rousselle children’s clothing, Kid’s Graffiti. Miss Avanti Première, and Version Originale pret-a-porter clothing.
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