Grands Magasins de Paris
The historic department stores of Paris are emblematic places which have shaped the commercial and cultural life of the city.
These department stores all have a rich history and offer unique shopping experiences in Paris making your visit a must.
Le Bon Marché
Canopy
Escalators
Le Bon Marché is located at 24, rue de Sèvre Paris 7th near the Lutetia Hotel.
Le Bon Marché opened its doors on November 18, 1852.
It has a commercial area of approximately 50,000 m².
Founded by Aristide Boucicaut, associated with the Videau brothers
Le Bon Marché is considered the first department store in France and revolutionized consumption patterns at the time.
Le Bon Marché stands out for its refined atmosphere and its high-end selection.
Le Bon Marché offers a unique shopping experience where luxury and elegance coexist.
The Grande Epicerie de Paris
Located at the corner of rue du Bac and rue de Sèvre, Le Bon Marché opened the Comptoir de l'alimentation in 1923.
La Grande Epicerie was founded in 1978.
Three pivotal periods shape La Grande Épicerie de Paris
1988 – La Grande Épicerie de Paris is transformed and becomes a leading food store.
1999 – La Grande Epicerie de Paris begins a total renovation and a new graphic identity and positions itself as the true reference for gastronomy in Paris.
2013 - La Grande Épicerie de Paris celebrates its rebirth after 18 months of renovation.
Enjoy a new experience that is always unique, revealing the know-how of the culinary professions, an ever more sophisticated selection of exceptional products – rare or traditional – and finally new worlds and services.
The BHV Marais
BHV Marais is an emblematic department store located at 52, rue de Rivoli Paris 4th.
The BHV was inaugurated in 1856.
With a commercial surface area of approximately 70,000 m², the BHV brought together under the same roof everything necessary to equip the person and the home, from decoration to fashion through beauty and DIY.
Founded by the jewelry maker François-Xavier Ruel.
Its rich history and reputation make it a must-see for shopping enthusiasts in Paris.
Le Printemps Haussmann
Coupole
Printemps Haussmann is a department store located at 64, boulevard Haussmann Paris 9th.
Printemps Haussmann was inaugurated on November 3, 1865.
Jules Jaluzot and Jean-Alfred Duclos are at the origin of Printemps Haussmann.
Despite its distance from the lively heart of Paris at the time, Jaluzot foresaw the growth of this district and the opportunity provided by the proximity of the Saint Lazare station.
The very first Printemps store has large windows which reveal vast galleries and seems to form a sort of large covered market supported by columns.
Printemps Haussmann is an architectural masterpiece of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The facades and roofs (except the modern elevation) of the old stores (current Printemps de l'Homme) have been listed as historic monuments since January 15, 1975.
Its renovation of the facades was undertaken to preserve the memory and identity of the place.
The store is a true Parisian emblem offering a typically Parisian shopping experience.
It is home to leading fashion, beauty and home decor brands.
Distributed by theme throughout the store's three buildings, these brands occupy 27 levels and 45,500 square meters in total.
Since the beginning of 2019, Printemps Haussmann has been offering the general public a behind-the-scenes tour through a guided tour, going from the store's underground passages to the roof garden offering a breathtaking view of the capital, via the famous Art Deco dome.
I highly recommend that you take a trip to Printemps Haussmann to discover this emblematic place of fashion and shopping.
La Samaritaine
Canopy
La Samaritaine is located at 19, rue de la Monnaie Paris 1er facing the Pont-Neuf.
La Samaritaine has been the heartbeat of the Parisian capital since 1870.
Its commercial area is approximately 48,000 m2.
Founded by Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ.
This collection of department stores is anchored in the collective imagination linked to Paris.
Its emblematic slogan, “You can find everything at La Samaritaine”, still resonates in people’s memories.
After 16 years of closure, the department store reopened in June 2021, offering a unique shopping experience.
La Samaritaine is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and its luxury department store.
La Samaritaine is an emblematic monument of Parisian life, full of history and legends.
The Galeries Lafayette
Dome
Galeries Lafayette located at 40, boulevard Haussmann Paris 9th is one of the most famous department stores in the world.
The sales area of Galeries Lafayette is more than 70,000 m2.
Galeries Lafayette was inaugurated in October 1912.
Galeries Lafayette is famous for its elegance, luxury brands and glass dome.
The Coupole of Galeries Lafayette is an iconic architectural gem rivaling historic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe or the Sacré-Cœur.
Galeries Lafayette is a department store brand belonging to the Galeries Lafayette group.
Their story dates back to the end of the 19th century when Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn joined forces to take over a “novelty store”.
They opened their first store in 1894 at 1, rue La Fayette in a 70 square meter premises that they called “Les Galeries”.
Both are Alsatian Jewish traders from the world of clothing.
Their store, initially 70 square meters, gradually expanded with the purchase of the entire building three years after its opening.
The store was then renamed “Galeries Lafayette”. In 1905, the buildings at 38, 40 and 42 boulevard Haussmann, as well as 15 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, were also acquired.
A huge dome was built in 1912.
The Dome is a remarkable example of Art Nouveau.
Three iconic artists collaborated on its creation
Ferdinand Chanut for geometry and structure.
Jacques Gruber for the stained glass windows.
Louis Majorelle for the ironwork.
The current stained glass windows form an immense flower made up of 10 beams, covering a total area of 1000 m².
The Dome of Galeries Lafayette is a work of art that tells the history of Paris and enchants all those who contemplate it.
An average of 37 million visitors visit Galeries Lafayette each year.
These figures demonstrate the exceptional appeal of this iconic Paris department store.
Whether you are a fan of fashion, beauty, gastronomy or simply curious, a visit to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is an unmissable experience during your stay in the capital.