Haussmann & Co: shopping in the department stores of Paris

As an icon of French fashion, Galeries Lafayette in the 9th arrondissement attracts around a hundred thousand customers every day. The establishment extends across 65,000 m², which makes it the second largest shop in the world after Macy’s Herald Square in New York. But while the Americans can compete in terms of scale, in the hearts of fashion addicts they are no match for Paris.

Within the walls of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, anything seems possible. Beneath the impressive Art Déco dome, customers search to and fro for that unique item. In this history-steeped setting, the ballet of sales staff makes the shop look like fashion’s answer to opera. Galeries Lafayette features 3 buildings and a selection from over 2,500 brands ranging from affordable to luxury. It also boasts the biggest shoe department to be found in Europe.

Let’s stay in the 9th arrondissement. Not far from Galeries Lafayette stands its main rival, Printemps. The building is a listed historical monument and houses the great names in luxury such as Givenchy, Vuitton, Chanel, Isabel Marant and Balenciaga. For fashion enthusiasts, the shop also offers a selection of brands to follow such as Mossi, Bao Bao Issey Miyake and YCH.

The Galeries Lafayette spirit can also be found on the world’s most beautiful avenue, just a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe.

With its specialist selection of brands from leading names, small fashion houses, upcoming designers and original capsule collections, Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées promises you a shopping experience of a different kind. Smaller than the shop on Boulevard Haussmann — although it’s the biggest on the Champs-Elysées — Galeries des Champs-Elysées takes a more intimist and local approach. It offers a customised service and the sales staff are much more than that. They are real enthusiasts each with their own freely-expressed individual style that makes you want to change your entire wardrobe. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the precious advice they have to offer.

The Bon Marché Rive Gauche store can be found in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of the 7th arrondissement. It was Paris’ first department store to open its doors, in 1852. With the vintage charm of its glorious past, it still oozes elegance and sophistication.

The historical La Samaritaine shop is once again part of the Parisian scene, much to the delight of fashion addicts.

In the heart of Paris, this shop on 8 levels in the 1st arrondissement overlooks the Pont Neuf bridge. Behind the Art Déco façade, past and present unite. The super-contemporary glass architecture blends with the enamelled lavastone Art Nouveau décor.

Since its refurbishment, Samaritaine has gone beyond being merely a shop. It has found its former glory and resumed its place among the department stores of Paris. This key store from the Paris of the Belle Epoque gives pride of place to French brands in luxury names ranging from Dior to Louis Vuitton and lesser-known brands like The Frankie Shop, Maison Kitsuné and In the mood for love.