Paris, France
🌸Part 1
As I stated in a recent post, whenever I am in Paris a visit to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann really is a must-do. This 100 year old luxury department store located in central Paris (down the avenue from the Louvre and the Palais Garnier) is a shopper’s dream destination. I am talking 6 floors devoted to top French and International fashion designers, beauty brands, jewelry, accessories, home design and even gourmet food.
The interior architecture is simply breathtaking. Looking up you will see a magnificent art nouveau dome or cupola designed by Ferdinand Chanut, with glass work constructed by Jacques Grüber in 1912. The Cupola is suspended 43 meters (141 ft) above the main floor.
Although I have not found any documentation to confirm my theory, I believe the Paris opera house (the Palais Garnier) definitely inspired the interior architectural design of Galeries Lafayette.
Looking around this beautiful store, I always feel as though I am standing in the theater of the Palais Garnier, as each floor looks like a huge gilded opera box. Maybe it is just me, but the Palais Garnier is just across the street. So, I think there may be some truth to my theory.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann actually consist of three separate stores or buildings - the main building caters to women and is referred to as the Coupole. An adjacent building focuses on men (L’Homme) and finally a two story structure across the street offers gourmet food/ wine and high-end home decor (La Maison, Le Gourmet). All together we are looking at approximately 750,000 sqft (69,677 m2) devoted to shopping and dining with 2500 brands represented.
While walking through Galeries Lafayette you truly feel as though you are in a place of shear and complete luxury. The experience is boldly modern combined with a huge dose of old world elegance. I just love it!!
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
40 Boulevard Haussmann
75009