France Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette was founded in 1893 by cousins Théophile Bader a Alphonse Kahn as a novelty store in a small haberdasher's shop at the corner of rue La Fayette and the Chaussée d'Antin. The excellent location of the store in the heart of an active shopping quarter brought a large clientele each day, to the point where expansion became unavoidable. From the start, Galeries Lafayette attracted with equal appeal the ladies of the high society and working women, those shop and office employees, seamstresses and other area workers who made time during their lunch breaks to go shopping. They were literally known as "midinettes", literally known as light lunchers.

In 1896, 1 rue Lafayette was purchased in its entirety and in 1905, 38, 40 and 42 Boulevard Haussmann were purchased as well as 15 rue Chaussée d’Antin.

In 1906, Théophile Bader commissioned the Roman award-winning architect Georges Chedanne and later his student Ferdinand Chanut to design the new layout of the Haussmann store. The block of buildings delimited by Haussmann boulevard, Chausée d’Antin, Mogador and Provence streets was redesigned according to Chanut’s predilection for oriental bazaars, where the hodgepodge of merchandise and departments was intended to drive customers into a buying frenzy. The 35-meter high glass and steel dome and Art Nouveau staircase were built in 1912.

Galeries Lafayette has always been a trend-setter in the Parisian fashion world. The multiple store complex is home to scores of famous luxury brands, but also serves as a launching pad
for young and upcoming designers.

Lafayette Homme & Gourmet and Lafayette Maison, the main store, offer a vast array of ladies, men’s and children’s apparel, VO for young people, skincare products and cosmetics, food products, kitchenware, cooking utensils, table linen, crystalware, chinaware, and interior decoration items.

Galeries Lafayette is not only well known for shopping, but also has a reputation for being one of the best sightseeing spots in Paris. The splendid glass dome of Neo-Byzantine style has been classified as a historical monument. It is an architectural landmark which attracts people from all over the world. The terrasse of the building offers a splendid panoramic view of the city. The newly renovated building of the Opera Garnier House lies beneath your eyes, and if you look up, you will see in the distance the Basilica of the Sacred Heart atop the Montmartre Hill.

The night view of this Galeries Lafayette which is well known now as famous department store is absolutely fabulou after all the Christmas lights are turned on every Christmas eve.