Galeries Lafayette

The Galeries Lafayette is a Parisian department store, located along the Boulevard Haussmann, in the ninth arrondissement. It was originally founded in 1893 by two cousins looking to expand their haberdashery. It has grown over the years into a Parisian institution, a ten story tall monument to glittering opulence. In the early 1900s, a glass and dome in the Neo-Byzantine style and staircases in the Art Nouveau style were added. Standing inside the store is like being inside a golden Faberge Egg. The shops open onto a central court that is open all the way to the dome, and all of the exclusive designers, from Chanel to Verlaine, sell their wares within. The edifice of the store is magnificent as well, especially during the holidays, when the entire building is lit up with thousands of lights arranged to look like stained glass on all four sides. The building has been classified as a historical landmark, and the terrace of the store offers one of the best panoramic views of Paris available. The store attracts not only shoppers, but site seers as well, people who come to marvel at the beauty and architecture. Of course it contains its own restaurants and cafes, so you can make a day of it.

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