Today, Parisian department shops are a must-see visit on any tourist’s itinerary. Paris is recognized as the fashion capital of the world for good reason. Aside from multiple Paris fashion events throughout the year and a plethora of stunning companies calling Paris home, Paris is also a shopping paradise.
These boutiques have developed to such proportions that they have spread outside the city, with branches emerging across France and even overseas. If they are called economic behemoths now, they were once retail titans.
The city has several department stores known as ‘Les Grands Magains’ in French, which carry a variety of brands.
Le Bon Marché
The oldest department store in Paris, Le Bon Marché, was founded in the 1850s. The magnificent Left Bank shop is renowned for both its collection of top designers and its gorgeous design and layout: The escalators and light, spacious atriums are especially memorable.
The collection of women’s designer products is perhaps the most appealing to Le Bon Marché’s affluent customers. However, the home goods, children’s department, beauty floor, and menswear sections are all as appealing. And don’t forget to visit La Grande Épicerie, Paris’ largest food court, which is situated in an adjoining building.
The kids’ area is just adorable. And La Grande Épicerie is a must-see for taking home sweets (or eating on the spot). If you’ve overshopped, check out the baggage department for great bag alternatives and minor travel items.
On any given day, the clientele consists largely of Parisians, however, the stylish tax-refund lounge on the third floor is sure to draw a number of international tourists. If it’s high-end, you can undoubtedly get it here (there’s even a pet section for dressing your expensive pup).
- Hours of operation
- Mon-Wed 10:00-20:00
- Thu 10:00-21:00
- Sun 11:00-20:00 Fri-Sat 10:00-20:00
- Address:
- Paris, 24 rue de Sèvres, 75007, Sèvres-Babylone Métro (lines 10 and 12)
- Official website:
Galeries Lafayette
Alphonse Kahn and Théophile Bader, Alsatian cousins, opened a retail establishment with a varied specialty on 1 rue Lafayette in 1894. This was the Lafayette Group’s formal birth.
When the craftsman, Louis Majorelle, began to create the banisters and railings of the central stairs in 1908 using some trendy materials like forged iron and embossed iron, all with a floral motif, it was enough to make the competition pale.
Galeries Lafayette also has a presence in the 8th arrondissement on the Champs-Élysées. The Galeries Lafayette main shop itself has an Art Nouveau cupola and is almost as much of a Paris icon as the adjoining Palais Garnier Opéra House. Galeries Lafayette, whose primary flagship shop is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement, has other branches across the city (as well as in other European towns such as Toulouse and Berlin).
Boulevard Haussmann’s Galeries Lafayette complex spans 65,000 m2 across three buildings and sells over 2,500 distinct brands in total. Every Christmas, a massive Christmas tree is constructed in the cupola’s center.
The department store, which was conceived at the beginning of the twentieth century to be a Luxury Bazaar offering all sorts of things to Parisians, also features a free rooftop terrace with one of the greatest views of downtown Paris.
“Galeries Lafayette has the finest prices in all of Paris.”The director of Galeries rapidly realized that women’s fashion, preferences, and aspirations varied swiftly. To reach a wider audience, he chose to promote low-cost fashion by distributing Lafayette Group-created things under their own brand.
It was an instant hit, attracting thousands of women from all socioeconomic strata because it was sold at affordable costs with more availability.
- Address:
- 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, Chaussée-d’Antin La Fayette Metro Station (lignes 7 et 9)
- Official website:
Printemps
Printemps began in 1865 when the Second Empire had been in power for 13 years and Napoleon III was the French Emperor.
Printemps is not just the French term for spring, but it is also one of Paris’ five “Grands Magasins.” Jules Jaluzot founded the department store on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement in 1865.
The structure was designed by father and son architects Jules and Paul Sédille. Their success is tied to the selling of high-quality material, which would eventually make the business highly well-known throughout the country.
Printemps Haussmann, with its famous domes and 44,000 m2 of floor area stretched across 25 floors and three towers provide a premium shopping experience in a historically classified edifice. There is also a free rooftop patio with views of the Eiffel Tower.
In 2001, an entire floor was dedicated to luxury products, with which the shop is commonly identified. Two years later, Printemps introduces the world’s largest beauty area, and in 2006, 3,000m2 is dedicated entirely to shoes.
Today, Printemps Haussmann is separated into three locations:
- Style de Printemps (9 floors)
- Printemps Home and Beauty (11 floors)
- Printemps for Men (7 floors)
- Address:
- 64 Boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris
- Metro: Chaussée-d’Antin La Fayette (lines 7 and 9) or Havre-Caumartin (lines 7 and 9). (Lines 3, 9 or RER A)
- Official Website:
La Samaritaine
Beautiful icon This beautiful shop now has a stunningly modern aesthetic to complement its inspired items, making it a must-visit.
The historic Samaritaine department store in Paris has recently reopened after a stunning redesign commissioned by French luxury goods company LVMH. The spectacular makeover by Japanese design group SANAA incorporates an undulating glass façade wrapped around one of the heritage structures. Restored Art Deco and Art Nouveau details shine alongside contemporary touches, fusing the past and the present.
La Samaritaine, one of the most spectacular structures in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, is one of the city’s first department shops. La Samaritaine has a lot of Art Nouveau buildings, as well as a few restaurants and a lot of concept retail. La Samaritaine also has one of Paris’ greatest antique picture booths.
The central position of La Samaritaine in the first arrondissement dominates the Right Bank, only a short walk from Paris Perfect’s exquisite holiday homes at Île de la Cité’s Place Dauphine. Shoppers may experience one of Paris’ most spectacular department shops, with over 650 brands exhibited across seven levels, including luxury labels and unique designers. Women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, watches, jewelry, and accessories are available. Continental Europe’s largest beauty area, concept store Loulou for attractive presents and homewares, a beauty studio and Cinq Mondes spa, personal stylists, and private shopping experience L’Appartement with a sophisticated domestic atmosphere are among the retail joys.
- Address:
- La Samaritaine is located at 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris.
- Official Website:
Les Grands Magasins du Louvre
Les Grands Magasins du Louvre (formerly Les Galeries du Louvre), is a department store founded in 1855 in Paris, France.
The Louvre des Antiquaires is a historic edifice on the Place du Palais-Royal in Paris, France. The structure was planned by Alfred Armand and built-in 1855 as the Grand Hôtel du Louvre. The massive structure was eventually turned into a department store, and the hotel closed in 1887. The Grands Magasins du Louvre department store was open until 1974. The structure was later turned into an antique mall known as Le Louvre des Antiquaires. That company went out of business in 2015, and the building is presently being turned into a premium retail complex that will open in 2020.
The hotel was gradually transformed into a retail space, eventually becoming a major department store. The hotel featured translators and guides, as well as a post office, telegraph room, and exchange bureau. Les Galeries du Louvre, a department store, shared the building.
It evolved into the Société du Louvre, which still exists today.
The Péreire brothers supported the company’s start-up and bought stock in it in 1860. The corporation was renamed Société du Louvre in 1889, and a second hotel, the Hôtel Concorde Saint-Lazare, with a hall built by Gustave Eiffel, opened. After a refurbishment, the Hôtel de Crillon on Place de la Concorde reopened in 1909.
The structure was refurbished and reopened in October 1978 as Le Louvre des Antiquaires, an antique center. The structure also held temporary exhibitions on occasion. After years of financial difficulties and an increasing number of vacancies, the antique mall closed in 2015 in preparation for a total renovation by its owners SFL, at a cost of 100 million Euros, as a luxury retail complex slated to open in 2020.
BHV Le Marais
After relocating to Paris with his wife in 1852, Xavier Ruel opened a business called “Bazar Parisien” to sell his items. According to folklore, Ruel saved Emperor Napoleon’s Wife in 1855 after her horses grew scared near the store. She offered him money as a reward, which he used to start the business that would later become the BHV.
BHV Le Marais was founded in the 1850s in the center of Paris, immediately outside the Hôtel de Ville. According to folklore, BHV (Bazaar de l’Hôtel de Ville) was formed following an unusual course of events.
In the summer, Le Perchoir, a rooftop bar above the iconic BHV Le Marais flagship department store with an Eiffel Tower view, is one of the trendiest locations to get a beverage in the Le Marais district.
BHV Le Marais is now one of Paris’s most popular and busiest boutiques. The business, which is spread over numerous buildings, sells everything from homewares to children’s apparel.
- Address: 5
- 2 rue de Rivoli, 75004 PARIS
The closest metro stop is Hôtel de Ville (line 1 and line 11).
- Official Website:
FAQ’S
The best five-star hotel next to Printemps Haussmann and Galeries Lafayette?
Mandarin Oriental Paris, located in the heart of Paris, provides high-quality services in attractively appointed rooms and suites.
The best hotel in the vicinity of Le Bon Marché?
The hotel team at Hôtel Pont Royal strives to meet your expectations with modernism and elegance.
The best five-star hotel next to Printemps Haussmann and Galeries Lafayette?
The Le Burgundy Paris hotel provides tourists with modern elegance, and the Michelin-starred restaurant “Le Baudelaire” is an exquisite experience.
Where should I stay near Le Bon Marché?
The apartments of the Hôtel Odéon Saint Germain are tiny and very Parisian, with the same warm and enveloping feel and décor as the public areas.
I am a French history enthusiast and blogger. I love to travel around France, exploring its many historical sites and sharing my passion with my readers. I am also an avid photographer, and my blog features many of my stunning photos of France’s beautiful landscape and architecture.