Department stores in France are held in high regard, mainly because the architecture of many of them is incredible, and window displays show off the latest fashion trends. Several are also known for their amazing views of the city from the upper levels. One thing you need to keep in mind if you’re spending a weekend in Paris: head to the Marais or Rue des Abbesses in Montmartre for the best in local shops.
To help you narrow the list down to the very best, here you will find the 7 department stores you must visit in the french capital.
See also: 5 MUSEUMS YOU MUST SEE IN PARIS
Galeries Lafayette
The Galeries Lafayette is an upmarket French department store chain. Its flagship store is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Even visiting their website will give you a sense of the French department store’s charm. Galeries Lafayette is always known for its exceptional holiday window displays and seven-story Christmas tree that stands in the central atrium of the store.
40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009, Paris
www.galerieslafayette.com/
Printemps
Printemps is a French department store that focus on beauty, lifestyle, fashion, accessories and men’s wear. This is one of the most popular in Paris, and here we can see one curious thing: Part of the appeal of French department stores is that there are “mini” stores within the store.
64 boulevard Haussmann, 75009, Paris
www.printemps.com/
BHV Paris
Located in the heart of the historic district of Le Marais, BHV remains an iconic store. It is a luxury bazaar, where anything and everything can be found. Perhaps the least glamorous of the grands magasins, it also has a fantastic selection of office, craft and art supplies on the second floor (sometimes they give tutorials). The basement “hardware store” level also has its own appeal, as it’s a great place to pick up your favorite French signs or those blue house numbers that you see around the city.
52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
www.bhv.fr/magasins/bhv-paris/
Hôtel Drouot
Hôtel Drouot is a large auction house in Paris, known for fine art, antiques, and antiquities. It consists of 16 halls hosting 70 independent auction firms, which operate under the umbrella grouping of Drouot. And even if you don’t have tens of thousands of Euros to spend, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy witnessing this auction house in action en francais. Scope out times and auctions in advance to make sure it fits your fancy.
9 Rue Drouot, 75009 Paris
www.drouot.com/
See also: LE MEURICE BY PHILIPPE STARCK
Maybe this selection won’t appear in your Paris guide, but if you’re a lover of the city, and if you love good architecture, good design and good fashion, you’ll definitely love to visit these department stores. On your next trip, if you spend the weekend in Paris, try these!
