#3 Galeries Lafayette

Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, France

Galeries Lafayette is located on the Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. This impressive 19th-century department store is famous for its Neo-Byzantine-style dome which dates all the way back to 1912. It was designed by architect, Ferdinand Chanut and glass artist Jacques Gruber.

The huge dome can be seen from the street and filters lights throughout the store’s five floors. Théophile Bader, the original owner of Galeries Lafayette, commissioned the glass ceiling with the sole purpose of creating the best light for his products to be sold under.

The interior of the department store was based on the vibrant bazaars found in the Middle East. Bader wanted to create a luxury bazaar where guests could pick up products and peruse them openly.  

As Galeries Lafayette is located in Paris you would expect a sleek interior and it doesn’t disappoint. Chanut called upon artists from the École de Nancy to decorate the decadent building in the style of Art Nouveaux, elements of which can still be seen today.  The sparkling gold banister designed by Louis Majorelle can be found in store guiding customers up and down the stairs.

Over the years Galeries Lafayette has undergone several renovations in order to remain current. Most recently, Amanda Levete's studio AL_A has been selected to modernise the famous department store. Working with Galeries Lafayette AL_A plan to build the ‘Department Store of the 21st Century,’ whilst maintaining the beautiful traditional design work that has defined the building for so long.