На углу бульвара Осман (Haussmann) и шоссе D'Antene built a building in the Art Nouveau style, whose façade since 1912 is known to all shopaholics and mods. "Gallery Lafayette" in Paris - a network of department stores, and the largest of them is located in Dubai. However, throughout the world, the name Galeries Lafayette is associated with this glass dome, quaint mosaic and lancet windows.
History of creation
"Lafayette" is not just a department store, it'sa real Mecca for shopaholics not only in France but also in other countries. The gallery was founded in 1893 by natives of Alsace, cousins Alphonse Kahn and Teofil Bader. The decision to open a trade point in one of the busiest areas, and even near the station was right, because hundreds of people from provinces and neighboring cities came here daily.
Удачное расположение и грамотное управление soon bore fruit in the form of steadily growing income. Thus, it was decided to expand the territory by acquiring buildings adjacent to the gallery. Already in 1906, the brothers appealed to George Shedan with a request to do redevelopment. A talented architect finished work after 6 years. So in 1912 the official address of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris appeared: 40, Boulevard Haussmann.
Shedan brilliantly coped with the work by buildingreal masterpiece The glass dome made in neo-Byzantine style rightfully earned a place in the list of architectural monuments. Special attention should be paid to the roof of an eight-story building, from where a stunning view of the capital opens to this day. From here you can clearly see the visiting card of Paris - the Eiffel Tower, the Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the Basilica Sacré Coeur, built on the top of the Montmartre hill.
Photo "Galleries Lafayette" in Paris: our days
Now the department store still covers an area of 120,000 m2but since 1912 a lot has changed.For example, the number of brands represented has long exceeded three hundred. Clothing, household goods, products, delicacies, accessories, perfumes, shoes - here you can find everything and even more. No wonder that the place is called a paradise for shopaholics and fashion lovers.
Every day at least 80,000 buyers look in numerous boutiques, and on Christmas this figure doubles as the gallery announces discounts and promotions.
Кроме того, администрация постоянно organizes fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions and openings. For example, in 2010, the Yves Saint Laurent brand organized a show called “Fashion is you!”, The participants of which were not professional models, but ordinary people.
Hours of shopping boutiques even exhaustingunrecoverable shopaholics. In the gastronomic court there are excellent bars and restaurants where you can taste chic dishes and even the famous French sparkling.
Lafayette coupole
This is the main shopping center in the Gallery Lafayette inParis, where you can buy absolutely any goods for newborns, children and women - toys, jewelry, household appliances, shoes, clothing, underwear, cosmetics, accessories, jewelry and much more.
On the sixth floor are wedding boutiques. Grooms and brides come here not only from France, but from the whole world to select the most luxurious costumes and dresses from the best European designers.
Homme and maison
If the main building was represented goodsfor children and women, the territory of the second fully belongs to the stronger sex. Unfortunately, the place cannot boast of such a wide assortment, but it’s worth a look at at least for the sake of visiting Lafayette Gourmet where the most exquisite delicacies are sold.
Maison, covering an area of 10,000 m2, located opposite the first two buildings.Here you can find a wide selection of household goods: furniture, bedding, interior items, luxury crystal tableware, porcelain, silverware.
On the ground floor, be sure to check out the Alain Ducasse boutique, where every visitor can enjoy a piece of real chocolate prepared according to an old classic recipe for free.
This building hosts weekly Friday free half-hour fashion shows. But from January to April, a designer Jean-Paul Lespanyar called TillweDrop arranges an exhibition here.
Christmas magic
Long before the magical holiday, the storefronts of the department store are fabulously transformed and attract residents and guests of the capital with thousands of lights.
For example, last year's tree was the largest inParis and literally soared over the perfume department. In 2016, the gallery became the first store in the world in which a New Year tree was created from paper. The Lafayette shop windows narrated the amazing adventures of a bear family.
Но самым потрясающим рождественским зрелищем became "Chrysalis" - a light work in honor of the 100th anniversary of the shopping center. The creation of an unprecedented show was entrusted to Jan Kersale. Together with the talented architect Jurik Tardio, he created a light picture on the facade of the building, which changes with the advent of the new season.
Practical advice and reviews of tourists
If your trip is planned betweenEaster until October, then to visit the "Galeries Lafayette" in Paris is better to choose Friday. On this day, weekly free fashion shows are held on the 7th floor. In order not to be in the last rows, you can sign up in three ways:
- by phone;
- send an email;
- fill out a special form.
All the above actions can be done only on the official (French) site.
Please note that on the first floor in the buildingLafayette Coupole is a welcomme customer service. The information counters are staffed in foreign languages. Here you can not only get answers to your questions, but also take a map of a gallery or a city, use the services of an interpreter, go to the bathroom, hand over bags and outerwear for the time of shopping.
Happy owners of the Paris Vizite card,who have made a purchase in the amount of more than 40 euros, an additional 10% discount is provided. However, the promotion does not apply to all products. Therefore, it is recommended to clarify this nuance in the information departments.
Gallery Lafayette in Paris collaborates withby Global Blue, which means that you have the opportunity to use the service "Exemption from tax" and return 12% of the amount of purchases made. The Tax Free Shoping clearance office is located on the first floor of the Lafayette Coupole. It is also possible to refund cash in the store.
Важная информация для шопоголиков:prices in the gallery are significantly different from the Russian for the better. For acquaintance with the assortment, discounts and making a purchase decision, you can visit the official French website of the online store.
As the tourists admit in their reviews, “Gallery Lafayette” in Paris attracts not only the prices, pleasant for the soul and the purse, but also the beauty of the building.
Также было отмечено, что первым делом привлекает Attention Lafayette Gourmet is a gourmet food store that resembles a medieval market. Especially the place is recommended to visit lovers of fine French cuisine.
Impressed by the main building remained andbeautiful half of humanity. After all, all 7 floors Coupole - the real kingdom of children's and women's fashion. In their feedbacks, the customers shared the main secret: for sandals from the author's collections, you need to run to the basement.
In the department store there was a separate place forromantic natures. On the roof of the building there are 2 restaurants: the first one is very expensive and luxurious, and the second one works by self-service type and pleases visitors with affordable prices. However, one thing unites them - from the windows a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower opens.
Galeries Lafayette in Paris: opening hours, address, how to get there
The department store occupies almost the entire territory.quarter, and you can get into it through several entrances. But for this you need at least to know the location of the building. So, you can reach your destination in three ways:
- On the shuttle buses with numbers 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 43, 95, 32, 66, 94, 91, 43, 68.
- Metro.First you need to get to the station Chaussée d’Antin - Lafayette. Next, go through the underpass, following the sign with the inscription Grands Magasins and not going out. This route will lead you to the main hall of the department store.
- By train RER on two lines: E (Haussmann St-Lazare) and A (Auber).
Opening hours of the Galleries Lafayette in Paris:
- Monday-Saturday from 9:30 to 19:30
- on Thursdays the department store is open until 21:00;
- Sunday is a day off.
Посетить Galeries Lafayette стоит хотя бы ради cognitive interest. Be sure to go to the main building, admire the unique interior and enjoy the atmosphere reigning inside. At the end, go to the center of the hall and look up to finally admire the luxury of a huge glass dome, made in the Byzantine style.
