If you’re looking to get your shopping fix in Paris, look no further than les grands magasins or luxury department stores for those whose French is a little rusty. These department stores house all of your favorite luxury labels from ready to wear lines to accessories, homeware and even gourmet food markets and are a must visit for every fashionista. Here’s the breakdown of what to expect from each glorious location and how to find them!
Galleries Lafayette Haussmann
Not to be confused with it’s sister building in Montparnasse, you’ll want to take the metro to Opéra or Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette to find this multi-level and multi-building department store. Split up into a womenswear building, a menswear building and a gourmet food market, it’s the women’s section that tends to draw the eye, up and up and up thanks to its never ending amphitheater-esque levels, whimsical balconies and ornate dome top ceiling. Here you’ll find perfume and accessories on the ground floor, mid way designers labels on the following two floors and the designer goods and labels just keep on rising in value as the floors go on. Once you’ve had your shopping fix, don’t forget to head on out to the very top terrace, where you can enjoy one of the best free views of Paris and sip a coffee or a glass of champagne while you marvel at our glorious city.
Printemps Haussmann
Image : Via Andrea Sosio Flickr.com
Printemps Haussmann also has a sister store at le louvre but it’s the one a stones throw away from Galleries Lafayette that is the most prestigious. In the same way that Harrods of London is famed for their window displays, so too is Printemps. Literally meaning Spring, Printemps focuses on all the major areas including fashion for both men and women, beauty, lifestyle and accessories. This building is part of the French patrimony and is slightly smaller in size to its competitor Lafayette. It also boasts a picturesque roof top terrace and since they are both so close to one another it would be rude not to take a peek into both!
Le Bon Marché
Head on over to the Saint Germain-des-près area to marvel at one of the oldest food halls mixed with fashion in Paris. Some of the most refined international brands reside here, gathering together to live harmoniously in the buildings rich history. Considered the original department store, you’ll find the international food market on the ground floor, we’re sure you’ll find something delectable to stave off the shopping hunger pangs!
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