Paris is a city of beauty, fashion and culture. One that LadyM classes as her favourite in the world, so when an opportunity to return to the French capital arises there is no stopping her! During a three day trip to Paris a compulsory outing to shopping district is required.

Galeries Lafayette

The Galeries Lafayette are located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th Arrondissement (district) of Paris, near to the Opera. It is a world famous department store that is a Paris fashion institution. Getting to the Galeries just around lunchtime is a good idea. You can sit at a cafe at the edge of the round atrium alongside the French women who sip a glass of white wine, whilst they debating the latest collections and its a great opportunity to people watch and catch all the tourists gazing up at the colourful glass and steel dome built in 1912. The decoration around the Galeries central atrium is of roses and vines, giving a romantic feel to the space, oozing opulence and creating desire for the fabulous fashion collections available.

The spectacular dome at Galeries Lafayette

Fashion on many levels

With the ground floor a maze of cosmetic brands with their shiny displays and enticing beauty delights, surrounding them are the big fashion players. From Yves Saint Laurent to Longchamp and Gucci to name but a few, there are literally queues to get into the small boutiques who even have their own security.

Ground Floor Beauty, Galeries Lafayette

As we go up a level we get to Creative Mode (Creative Fashion). Pop up boutiques of the likes of Carven, Zadig & Voltaire and Paul & Joe are some of many fashion names on this floor. Its easy to walk around the main pathway that takes you round close to the atrium but make sure that you take a step further back, deeper in and on to the pathways that house other designer names such as Galliano, Isabel Marant and Diane Von Furstenberg, they are easily missed and there is so much to see on each floor, you’ll be here for hours.

Fashion, Galeries Lafayette

On the third floor is the Contemporary Fashion, offering a less bank balance damaging experience. Comp de Cotonniers mixes with high street giant Zara whilst a LadyM Presents favourite Derhy is present. Having featured two previous collections from the French fashion label Derhy it is nice to be able to see it first hand and they use the space well to show many beautiful pieces. The Kooples boutique looks busy, its stylish, desirable and wearable and clearly works in Paris.

Shopping Destination

Couples browse at the Galeries Lafayette, the fashionistas of Paris work in packs hunting out the next key look of the season, whilst tourists usually gawp at their proximity to designer brands and you will often see the Russian wives working the floor slowly but succinctly whilst their husbands/bag carriers are in tow.

It might be that we came during Autumn/WInter clothing collection and we have a reputation at LadyM towers for being lovers of Spring/Summer collections but the fashion is a little reserved this season. The palette is muted with neutral hues. Nothing jumps out as we gaze around from the second floor bar across the collections we can see. There are no show stoppers, a few sequins sparkling here and there but nothing that is make us reach for the credit cards just yet!

Famous Names, Galeries Lafayette

People come here to look at the architecture but it is also a great showcase for people watching. I wonder how many Parisians come here to shop? It’s all under one roof but it does feel like a tourist destination. The care and attention that you get from walking into a designer store is lost. But at the same time it is in a good way. You don’t feel like you don’t belong, you can browse happily here as others walk by and don’t feel under pressure. Plus you can contemplate your purchase whilst browsing the other collections throughout the store yet still go back if you’ve found the ideal piece in any of the boutiques.

The Galeries Lafayette are in institution in Paris, a destination for the lovers of shopping. They even run their own fashion shows every Friday at 3pm, to show the latest collections. Certainly worth starting a weekend away early for.

Galeries Lafayette, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th Arrondissement.  Metro : Chaussée d’Antin, Opéra, Trinité