Paris is undoubtedly a 'fashion capital' and is, therefore, a 'shopping capital' too. The retail scene here is second to none, with most shopping districts being the busiest areas in the city. From luxury stores to vintage boutiques, you'll find that Parisians can't help but go shopping in Paris. Of course, at the center of all the hoopla are the department stores. These are the
meccas of shopping in the French capital. They house a plethora of brands, ranging from designer labels to high-street names. You ought to know Paris's most notable department stores if you plan to go on a shopping spree here.
Galeries Lafayette
Located on Boulevard Haussmann at the
9th arrondissement of Paris, Galeries Lafayette stands as the biggest department store in the world. In many ways, it's become the symbol of luxury shopping in Paris, dating back to the Belle Époque era when it first opened in 1907. In fact, the store's glass dome structure and grand gilded interior exhibit the Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time. Today, however, it houses a ton of
French designer brands, luxury labels, and more. Its well-curated collection of stores make it the go-to hotspot for retail therapy in the fashion capital of the world.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Printemps Haussman
Standing a hop and a skip away from Galeries Lafayette, also located along Boulevard Haussmann, the flagship Printemps Haussman store was one of the first department stores of its kind. In fact, in many ways, Galeries Lafayette was modeled after its much older neighbor, hence, both places exhibit the same kind of Art Nouveau style. Having begun as an actual department store, Printemps Haussmann remains an important institution in Parisian retail. More than just its
ready-to-wear brands,
perfume labels, and the like, the store offers everything and anything related to French luxury at its finest.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Le Bon Marché
Since it's now owned by the biggest French luxury conglomerate,
LVMH, you can expect that the stores in Le Bon Marché cost an arm and a leg. From
couture houses to
jewelry brands, some of the most luxurious labels in the world have set up shop here. Many of which, unsurprisingly, are under LVMH. But the store's own history goes beyond the luxury group. It first opened all the way back in 1837, as a home good store in the
7th arrondissement, making it one of the oldest operating stores in the French capital. And despite what the city of Paris has gone through over the years, the store remained a mecca for French luxury to this very day!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Cheng-en Cheng
Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV)
Finally, there's Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville, also known as 'BHV.' Located on the famous rue de Rivoli in the
4th arrondissement of Paris, historically doesn't even begin to describe this department store. A ton of famous figures throughout French history have become its customers, one of the most famous of which was Empress Eugénie, wife to Napoleon III. From the moment she first stepped foot in the store back in 1855, the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville became one of the most famous boutiques in all of Paris. Over the years, it grew to become the retail institution it is today.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Marianne Casamance
Shopping is a way of life in Paris and in order to live it to the fullest, you have to know where to shop. This means knowing the best and most popular department stores in the city. It's here that you'll get to see the most well-known brands, the finest labels, and more!
Just so you know: you'll need a huge
luxury home in Paris in order to store all your purchases from these well-known department stores!
