Here are the 6 best department stores (“les grands magasins”) in Paris! Built-in the period called the “Belle Épôque” (1871 – 1914), these department stores are a testament to the wealth and workmanship that existed in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. Next time you’re heading to Paris, make sure to add these best shopping destinations to your list of places to visit!
1. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche was the first department store in the world (it inspired Emile Zola’s Au bonheur des dames). It opened in 1852 in Paris at the instigation of Aristide Boucicaut and his wife, Marguerite. Combining unconventionality and elegance, this unique space designed by the architect Louis-Charles Boileau and the engineer Gustave Eiffel displayed a singular style influenced by the creative vitality of Paris’s Rive Gauche.
In 2012, Le Bon Marché was purchased by the company LVMH, the first French fortune held by Bernard Arnault. Today, offering a fine selection of high-end products and services, Le Bon Marché is the most selective department store in Paris.
Creation date: 1852
Address: 24, rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France.
Website: www.lebonmarche.com
For online shopping:
2. La Grande Epicerie de Paris
This is my favorite food store in Paris! In 1923, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche opened an ultra-refined gourmet food emporium on its ground floor. Today, the store is located in an adjacent building at the corner of the historic location on rue de Sèvres. In addition to its unique gourmet selection, La Grande Épicerie de Paris now offers privileged baking, patisserie, and gastronomy workshops. A must-address for fine food lovers in the French capital!
Creation date: 1923
Address: 38, rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France.
Website: www.lagrandeepicerie.com
3. Printemps Haussman
Le Printemps Haussmann opened its doors on November 3rd, 1865, in a luxurious building on Boulevard Haussmann. Le Printemps was born from the association of two entrepreneurs, Jules Jaluzot and Jean-Alfred Duclos. Today Le Printemps Haussmann offers 45,000 square meters of stylish shopping, as well as a men’s shop, a home shop, a beauty and perfume area, and the “7ème Ciel”, the largest space dedicated to luxury vintage and designer goods. For the gourmets, Le Printemps Haussmann offers French gastronomy at Printemps du Goût, with its delicatessen and its corners of famous chefs.
Creation date: 1865
Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France.
Website: https://www.printemps.com/
4. Le Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV)
Ideally located next to the Hôtel de Ville, in the heart of one of the capital’s liveliest historic districts, the BHV Marais is Parisians’ favorite shop! You’ll find everything you need at the BHV Marais. The basement is famous for its hardware store, whilst the other floors are dedicated to fashion, beauty, and home decoration. For men’s fashion and pet accessories, head to these adjacent buildings: the BHV Marais Homme and the BHV La Niche.
Creation date: 1856
Address: 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris, France.
Website: www.bhv.fr
5. La Samaritaine
La Samaritaine is my favorite place to shop in Paris! Originally, La Samartaine opened its door in 1870 at a prime location in the first arrondissement in Paris at Rue du Pont-Neuf. Today, La Samaritaine offers 20,000 square meters, 7 floors, an Art Deco façade on the Seine side, arabesques and enameled lava decorations in the Art Nouveau style, a luxury Cheval Blanc hotel, and a restaurant Ernest for a gourmet break. Home to over 600 brands, 50 of them exclusive to La Samartaine, inside, you’ll find a mix of both luxury and affordable fashion.
Creation date: 1870
Address: 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris, France.
Website: www.dfs.com/en/samaritaine.com
6. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussman
Created in 1894 by two Alsatian cousins, Alphonse Kahn and Théophile Boder, originally on 1 rue Lafayette, the Galeries Lafayette is one of the most beautiful department stores in Paris! Head to the center of the store for a stunning view of the glass dome and beautiful Art Nouveau design from 1912. This must-see address in the capital offers 65,000 square meters dedicated to fashion, beauty, food, and home spread over 3 buildings. Welcoming thousands of Parisians and visitors each day, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the second most visited monument in Paris, after the Eiffel Tower.
Creation date: 1894
Address: 40, Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France.
Website: https://www.galerieslafayette.com/
Perfect timing! I am coming to Paris next month for shopping with a young lady who is eager to visit the stores so this information is invaluable to me. I knew about some of them but not all. My knowledge is growing and my money pot potentially shrinking 🙂