Paris1972-Versailles2003

Let me update this older post on a wonderful magical store of my belle France. You have come here I am sure one time or another, we all have. I came here way back in my first encounter with Paris in 1972,and been back ever since, even a cardholder. I like to tell a bit on the Galeries Lafayette, that beacon of French fashion and department store à la Française. Hope you enjoy the post as I

Galeries Lafayette is a brand of department stores belonging to the Galeries Lafayette Group. The flagship store is at Bd Haussmann in Paris. It is our favorite store all over France (see posts) , I am a card carrying member and do shop even online! Paris chic at its best ,even if some tells you tourists are many but that is because they go to the main store in bd Haussmann, and if you go elsewhere , like me, you will know the French do shop there too !

The ramp style of the main staircase is directly inspired by that of the Opéra de Paris. Overlooking the store at 43 meters in height, the huge dome built in 1912 of the main hall becomes the emblem of Galeries Lafayette. Its neo-Byzantine-style stained glass windows allow the rays of the sun to pass through the Great Hall in a warm light. The first vocation of Galeries Lafayette has always been the alliance of fashion and novelty. To do this, it acquires production units in order to create its own brand of clothing. It later made sewing pieces at the forefront of fashion in order to sell them at prices much more affordable than its chic competitors. It democratized the access to fashion and made its stores the indispensable address not only of the bourgeoises of Paris, but also of the sewing workers. The aisles such as “men’s clothing”, “interior decoration”, “Toys” and “Table art” are added to the classic aisles dedicated to women’s clothing. And for maximum loyalty, annual appointments are established with customers, such as the famous “3d”, created in 1958 and allowing to acquire current and good quality items at unusually low prices for three days. The department store subsequently hosts prestigious events by presenting creators or major artists of our time. In order to strengthen its link with fashion but also with the creation of all kinds, the store opens the gallery of galleries, a space located on the first floor and free of access to all that highlights the intrinsic links that exist between the fashion , art and design. In 1951, Edith Piaf gave a concert in front of the galleries of Boulevard Haussmann where is inaugurated the highest escalator in Europe!

A bit of the spread of the group: Since 2014, Galeries Lafayette have been developing an offer of destocking with Galeries Lafayette Outlet stores, which today number eight in France. Outside of France you have stores in Berlin, opened in 1996, the first abroad (possible closing in 2024) . Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Open in 2009. Jakarta, Indonesia: Opened in June 2013. Beijing, People’s Republic of China: opened in 2013, Istanbul, Turkey and more openings in Doha, Qatar; Luxembourg, Shanghai, Kuwait City, and Milan. Future opening in India in 2024 in Bombay and New Delhi in association with Indian group Aditya Birla,The Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV) was finally ceded to the group Société des Grands Magasins (SGM).from Lyon,  The Galeries Lafayette  52-60 Champs-Élysées, which housed a Monoprix and until 2013 a Virgin Megastore, building was bought in 2012 by Qatar from Groupama . On March 28, 2019, the new store was inaugurated. The department store lists 650 brands available for sale in a space of 6,500 m2. It has a total of 57 stores in France with 25 franchise (not all doing well) with an overall Group with 290 stores worldwide with outside brands such as La Redoute, Mauboussin, Eataly Paris Marais, Galeries Lafayette Royal Quartz Paris, Louis Pion, and BazarChic.

A bit on its history I like tell us that Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn joined in 1893 to take over a new store and opened their first store in 1894 at 1, rue La Fayette in a room of 70 m2 which they call les Galeries. Both are Alsatian Jewish traders coming from the world of confection, while their competitors Boucicaut, creator of the Bon Marché, or Jaluzot, founder of Au Printemps, were previously sellers in stores. Their store (now Haussmann) initially 70 m² grew as it went along with the purchase of the entire building three years after its opening. The store is then renamed Galeries Lafayette. In 1905, the buildings of 38, 40 and 42 Boulevard Haussmann, as well as the 15 rue de la Chaussée D’Antin, are also acquired.

After the 1940 debacle, Galeries Lafayette underwent a “aryanisation” treatment: Théophile Bader, Raoul Meyer, Max Heilbronn, the store’s administrators and 129 Jewish employees were forced to resign. The Bader, Meyer and Heilbronn families are dispossessed of their property. Protected by the Nazis, the Swiss Aubert and the French industrialist Harlachol led the whole group Les Galeries Lafayette. Heilbronn and Meyer then engage in the French resistance and they were arrested by the Gestapo, then deported to Buchenwald, Max Heilbronn returned to France in April 1945. After many clandestine activities, Raoul Meyer took an important part in the liberation of Paris in 1944. As a result, a special board of Directors of Galeries Lafayette meets on September 20, 1944, Aubert and Harlachol are returned and Galeries Lafayette handed over to Raoul Meyer, hoping for the return of Max Heilbronn. In the meantime, Théophile Bader had died in Paris in 1942, paralyzed and despoiled of his property. Today, the Galeries Lafayette are the last French department store led by the direct descendants of its founder !!!

And one for the memories of always, the Galeries Lafayette Montparnasse which opened here in 972 at the foot of the Tour Montparnasse tower, had its closing beginning November 2019. Sadly, such a nice last minute shopping before taking the TGV for home in my Morbihan breton !!

The official Galeries Lafayette stores : https://www.galerieslafayette.com/

The official Galeries Lafayette Group and its brands : https://www.groupegalerieslafayette.com/brands/#galeries-lafayette

The Paris tourist office on the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store : https://parisjetaime.com/eng/shopping/galeries-lafayette-paris-haussmann-p3724

There you go folks, in all , a wonderful experience that I recommend to all especially climbing to the top floor terrace and restaurant for an awesome visit, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Galeries Lafayette of Paris and France as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!