I love Department Stores.  Always have. Big shiny places filled with lots of interesting stuff. 

What I like is looking at the glorious and creative window displays, analyzing what the trends are based on what I see on racks and tables and shelves while enjoying the views from variety of store levels in architecturally significant structures.  

Having lunch.  Checking out the other shoppers.

It isn’t about buying stuff.  It’s about the environment.  It is especially terrific at holiday time.  Maybe I’m remembering my Mother taking me to the big three department stores in Downtown Grand Rapids when I was a little girl.  Happy Memories. 

So, it isn’t surprising that on a recent trip to Paris I focused on visiting several huge shopping extravaganzas to see what they were featuring. 

Paris has five major department stores.  I picked three to visit. 

La Samaritaine

First was La Samaritaine.   It is a huge emporium, opened in 1870 overlooking the Seine on the Right Bank, not far from the Louvre.  It goes through a block with entrances on both sides.  One is quite contemporary with a wall of undulating waves of glass. Perfect for capturing reflections.  Oh, fun. 

The structure had been  closed for 16 years, badly needing physical repair and a merchandise boost.  It reopened a year or so ago with the restoration  reported to have cost more than 750 million Euros. 

LVMH, a luxury conglomerate did the redo and owns it now.  Visiting was like going back in time to see  the  top floor with its glass roof, Art Deco murals, a place to eat and people to watch.

The original main staircase and structure was built by Gustuve Eiffel.  At the time the decorative and very visible metallic structure was all the rage.  

I looked for holiday decor.  Didn’t see much, but loved the candy cane covered huge chandelier that you can see from many floors.  We didn’t get to the side with the outdoor windows. 

Galleries LaFayette

And then it was off to Galleries Lafayette, often visited by tourists. The big blue dome in the center is a the draw.  At Christmas a huge Christmas tree is installed under it.   

The crowds were enormous and I would recommend going first thing in the morning. We went late afternoon and could hardly breathe. But I loved seeing it.  More people watching, of course. 

Le Bon Marché

On the last day in Paris, we visited my favorite department store, Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank. 

What draws me?  The escalators.  A visual treat.  Endless.  

The windows on the street were cute filled with all  kinds of kitchen tools that moved and danced, drawing attention.  

The most noticeable holiday decor was black and silver balls hanging over an area devoted to emerging entrepreneurs.   A bit like an artist market  with  beautifully curated choices.  We did a little shopping there enjoying the conversations with the business owners. 

This store has a gorgeous home store including dishes and everything you’d need for cooking.  I got a kick out of seeing beautifully set up tables in the fashion departments reminding me the importance that French people tend to put on setting beautiful tables with  perfect food.  

Not to mention good marketing. 

Did we buy anything? Not much.  Mostly there for the looking at unusual things like the jacket below.