Where Culture Meets Shopping: Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette began in 1893 as a small shop on Rue La Fayette and, through steady growth and expansion work, became the department store we know today in 1912. Its founder, Théophile Bader, wanted it to be more than a place to buy and sell: a space that moves with the culture of its time and keeps evolving, a "dazzling marketplace."

In its early days the store was fitted with a staircase balustrade inspired by the Paris Opera and a 43-meter dome that has become its symbol. The decorative art of a new era and the golden light spreading from the dome made the merchandise glitter, and Lafayette became the luxurious market Bader had hoped for. It also offered affordable restrooms open to everyone, and its buyers visited racetracks and the opera to pick up fast-changing fashion trends and bring them to the shop floor, making it the best store in town. Luxurious and pleasant to shop in, it was a delight. Located near the Grands Boulevards and the Palais Garnier, and close to Saint-Lazare station, it was easy to reach and grew quickly. It later modernized and expanded through the turmoil of the world wars and the Great Depression, becoming the Galeries Lafayette of today.

Today, you can see for yourself what we've discussed so far. The vast hall and the spectacles that look like huge sculptures, the beautiful domed ceiling and the light streaming through it, and a harmony of colors all stand out. Sunlight through the glass ceiling and dazzling artificial lights make the goods sparkle and grab your eye. Our guide's first thought was, "It feels like a theme park." All of this, which delights you the moment you step inside, was designed to draw people into the store and to tap the urge to shop for a mood boost.

These days the store also offers a range of activities, so many visitors come with no intention to shop. The biggest draw is probably the famous photo spot. On the third floor is "Glass Walk," a glass walkway that hangs 16 meters above the floor. It's popular, so you'll need to reserve. The other big attraction is the observation deck. From the eighth-floor deck you can look out over Paris, including the Palais Garnier and the Eiffel Tower, and it's free. The restroom on the sixth floor is free as well, so make use of it.

Like Lafayette, which has so much to see and do, other department stores offer activities and classes as part of their cultural programming. In the old days, stores lured people in with "shows," or spectacles. Today they draw crowds with activities, cooking classes, and viewing decks. It's a clever business that changes how it attracts people as times change, and it's hard not to wonder what the next generation will come up with.

Next, we'll cross the street to Printemps and continue our story.