13 Surprising Facts About the Louvre (And What To See There)
There’s nothing quite like the Louvre. It’s the largest museum in the world, and the glass pyramid marking the entrance has become a…
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Paris is arguably the fashion and shopping capital of the world. For the past 130 years, one particular shopping center (more like an immersive shopping experience) has helped prove this to be true.
Welcome to the Galeries Lafayette located on Boulevard Haussmann!
The history of Paris’ Galeries Lafayette
This isn’t your average Paris department store. Today, it’s an institution in the City of Light spread across three buildings. But it began as a small haberdashery store (where small novelty items are sold) when it was opened by two cousins from Alsace, Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn, in 1893. Their dream was to create what they called a “luxury bazaar,” and in October 1912, this new shopping experience was unveiled to the public.
Since then, Galeries Lafayette has gone global with new stores set to open soon. You can find their international stores primarily in Asia and the Middle East, but it all started in Paris on the Boulevard Haussmann.
Should you visit the Galeries Lafayette in Paris?
In a word, yes!
People don’t just visit Galeries Lafayette to shop. Like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre, it’s a tourist destination in its own right with over 2,000 brands, including restaurants, bars, and cafes — there’s no need to go anywhere else! Each of its three buildings offers a different experience.
Hungry from all the shopping? Head to Le Gourmet to explore the food hall. Looking for everything men’s fashion? Step inside L’Homme.
In this guide, we’ll take you inside the Galeries Lafayette, which has nine floors, a massive Art Nouveau dome, a Glasswalk, and an incredible rooftop view of the Eiffel Tower.
Sound like a lot? Don’t worry. Let’s take it floor by floor.
What to see inside the shopping mall
Once you walk into Lafayette Coupole, it’s very clear that you’ve stepped into a different type of shopping mall. Security guards wearing sharp suits welcome you, and everyone who works there seems to be well dressed. Yes, everything is fashionable!
You’ll also notice that there are no “stores” in the traditional sense. Instead, the Galeries borrow a bazaar layout, with individual open spaces claimed by different brands — it feels like an indoor farmers’ market but for fancy luxury brands. Guess bags hang on display, Swarovski crystals glitter under glass cases, Dior perfume bottles are artfully arranged, and the can’t-miss neon-red Gucci sign casts a radiant glow.
As you start making your way up the nine floors, keep this cultural tip in mind: In France, the bottom floor isn’t called the first floor — it’s known as the “rez-de-chaussée” or ground floor. Lafayette Coupole actually begins with a basement level or Floor -1, followed by Floor 0 and Floor 1. You’ll also find that Floor 7 is missing entirely. From Floor 6, there’s a staircase that takes you directly to the rooftop terrace.
Floors -1 and 0: Wellness and fitness
Floor -1 is known as the “wellness galerie,” where you can treat yourself to facials, massages, yoga and pilates, and high intensity workouts. With brands like Skinneo and Gloss’up, plus fitness and beauty stores for shopping, what else do you need to feel pampered?
This is where you go when you want to feel taken care of, and the Wellness Lobby will help guide you through the space and pick the best service for you.
Floors 0 and 1: Jewelry, accessories, and women’s fashion
The ground floor, or Floor 0, is known as the “Espace Luxe” or Luxury Space. Here, you’ll find fragrance and cosmetics from Chanel to Dior, classic jewelry and watches, and other accessories. If shoes are your weakness, this is also the floor to stop by. You’ll find everything from stylish pumps to sleek sandals from iconic brands.
Now your shopping trip has really begun. Let’s move onto Floor 1, which is dedicated to women’s fashion.
Yves-Saint Laurent and Burberry are just two of the luxury brands on this floor, but fashion isn’t all you’ll find. Did we mention there are macarons? In between shopping for shoes and other accessories, you can take a break with delicious macarons from the high-end Parisian bakery Pierre Hermé. We repeat, this is not your average mall.
Floors 2 and 3: Women’s fashion, second-hand, and the Art Nouveau Dome
Once you reach the second floor, you’ll be greeted with the smell of coffee roasting. That would be from Joe and The Juice, an international coffee shop and juice bar. But that’s not all you’ll find on this floor. It’s the spot for lingerie, brands like Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, and even the exclusive specialty coffee and haute pâtisserie François Daubinet at Coutume.
On the third floor, you’ll run into more fashion, including Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, and Maje. For an eco-friendly choice, head to Jaiio to hunt for second-hand pieces and even resell your own.
Once you reach the second and third floors, you’ll have a better glimpse of the spectacular design of the Art Nouveau dome. The stained-glass dome forms the shape of a flower and sparkles a variety of colors. A French artisan designed the stained glass windows in the early 20th century in the Neo-byzantine style, and the 141-foot dome has become the symbol of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. This large — and free — architectural feat is definitely one for your bucket list.
Galeries Lafayette Glasswalk
To get the closest possible view of the stunning dome, you need to try the Glasswalk, a glass walkway that juts out into the atrium close to the stained glass ceiling. The good news is it’s free!
We recommend reserving a five-minute time slot, and keep in mind that you’ll likely be sharing your visit with up to seven other visitors. Everyone wants to walk to the end and take a photo. There’s plenty of time to do this as it only takes a few seconds — just be sure to share!
When you make your reservation, you can save your ticket on your phone. Take the escalator to the third floor at least 10 minutes before your reserved time slot, and make sure to allow enough time to find the line.
Skip the line: Most tourists in line won’t have a reserved time slot. When the person organizing the queue asks if you have one, and you do, you can jump to the front of the line!
Floors 4-6: Children’s clothes, luggage, and Paris souvenirs
The main event on Floor 4 is the Salon Opéra, where you can catch original (and formerly free) fashion shows and other events. Keep an eye on their website for their next events. You can discover the latest trends or just be able to say, “I went to a fashion show in Paris.”
On the fifth floor, you’ll find children’s clothes, toy stores like FAO Schwarz, and even a childcare center. And don’t leave without picking up a few souvenirs to remember your trip on Floor 6, especially tasty ones like cookies from Les Sablés de la Mère Poulard, but we recommend picking up some Valrhona chocolates — they’re absolutely delicious.
Speaking of food, there are a number of restaurants where you can have a sit-down meal.
Floor 8: Free rooftop views of the City of Light
To get to the rooftop, you have to take the stairs from the sixth floor, but it’s just a short flight of stairs and totally worth it. Outside, you’ll enjoy a free 180-degree panorama of the city, complete with a clear photo opportunity of the Eiffel Tower. There are also two restaurants at the top where you can eat and drink while admiring the view.
Whether you visit the rooftop in the summer or winter, you can’t go wrong. In the summer, you’re met with beautiful cloud-free skies. In the winter, you’ll get a magical view of the city lit up for the holidays. Whenever you go, try to make it there in time for sunset.
Celebrating the holidays at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
The holiday season draws tourists not only to the Galeries Lafayette, but also to Boulevard Haussmann in general. Stroll down the boulevard to admire the Christmas lights and animated holiday displays in the storefront windows.
Then head inside the Lafayette Coupole to see the fabulous Christmas tree that manages to outdo the one from the previous year. Past displays have included an upside-down Christmas tree hanging from the dome, an astronaut Santa, and a tree decorated with inflatable cakes and sweets.
As you might expect, the mall is packed with people shopping for gifts leading up to Christmas — but it’s absolutely worth a visit during the festive season. The holiday displays at the Galeries Lafayette are usually up from mid-November to the first week of January.
More to know about Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
How do I get to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?
You can reach the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann by public transportation. Take metro lines 7 and 9 to the Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette station, line 12 to the Trinité station, or lines 3, 7, and 8 to the Opéra station. Another option is the RER A train that can take you to the Auber station or the RER E train to the Haussmann St. Lazare station.
If you drive, parking is available 24/7. The entrance is located at the corner of Boulevard Haussmann and Rue de Mogador
Parking is available 24/7 if you’re driving. The entrance is located at the corner of Boulevard Haussmann and Rue de Mogador. You can’t miss it!
How long does it take to see the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?
To really take in every one of the three buildings you would need hours. The main Coupole building, which we covered in this article, could easily take an hour or more alone (especially if you stop for a photoshoot on the rooftop or a meal at one of the many eateries). If you really like shopping, go ahead and block off your whole afternoon.
When is the best time to visit the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?
We recommend visiting Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in the winter, since the holiday decorations make you feel like you’ve stepped into a winter wonderland.
If you go after the holidays, you’ll be able to catch the French sales. Sales season typically starts in January, so keep an eye out for signs that say “soldes.” With these luxury brands, you’ll be grateful for discounts.
The best time of day to go depends on what you’re looking for. To avoid crowds, try to go soon after it opens at 11 a.m. For a nice view of the sunset, go in the early evening to enjoy a drink on the rooftop, then head over to the Opéra Garnier to catch one of their shows.
How do I get around the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?
To travel between each level, there are escalators and elevators, but if you don’t mind a little hike, we recommend taking the stairs. They’re wood-paneled with gold colored railings, just in case you weren’t already overwhelmed by all the splendor.
How far is Galeries Lafayette Haussmann from the Eiffel Tower?
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is a 50-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. There are lots of lovely sites around Boulevard Haussmann that you can explore on foot. The Paris Opera House at the Garnier Palace is a nice place to start, and it’s only a five-minute walk. For a look at more Parisian history, visit the Great Synagogue of Paris built in 1874. It’s just a few blocks away, and the major headquarters of France’s chief rabbi.
To save time, you can take the metro, which is a 25-minute ride from Opéra to École Militaire on line 8. Metro line 9 from Chaussée d’Antin to Alma Marceau will also get you there.
Visit the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann for a taste of French fashion and life
The flagship Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann store is not just about selling luxury goods — it’s about selling what they like to call “the art of living.”
From the beautiful Art Nouveau dome and fashion shows to the rooftop views and gourmet restaurants, the Galeries Lafayette is a shopping experience like no other. You can take cooking classes, play the popular French game pétanque on the roof, and see stained glass worthy of a cathedral — the list goes on.
If you ever wondered why Paris is the fashion capital of the world, a walk through Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the answer.
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