Monday, November 15, 2010

Galeries Lafayette



Taken in December 2009, the neo-Byzantine stained glass cupola of Galeries Lafayette becomes the "theatre of the holiday season" with a multi-storied display. Each year's design seems to out-do the previous, and I am anxious to return to see what les grands magasins have in store for 2010!

Galeries Lafayette's Haussmann Boulevard is Belle Epoque architecture modeled after a mideastern bazaar. Although this photo is looking from the bottom floor up (rez de chaussée), Laurent of Daily Photo in Paris has a wonderful view looking down from le troisième étage.


"Something is always happening at Galeries Lafayette!"
40, boulevard Haussmann

35 comments:

Pat said...

I just LOVE Galeries Lafayette at Christmas!!!

jb said...

This image is pure brilliance

Bergson said...

Ne restez pas dessous le cadeaux vont tomber

Rob-bear said...

I guess if you're going to exploit the commercialism of the season, this is "a good thing."

Stikes me as being a bit sad.

Shell Sherree said...

This is worth feeling dizzy for. Stunning, Genie ~ I hope you get to see the 2010 display! Goodness, my wv is myrhyse. How fitting for a Christmas theme.

Andy said...

Another nice photo. Is there anything ugly in Paris?

Sab said...

Wow, this is great, and something I haven't photographed. I particularly like it because I'm obsessed by squares and cubes, and here there are plenty. Wonder what they'll have this year.

hollyb said...

Beautiful! Can't wait to see this year's decorations (only 2.5 weeks and we'll be there!!!!!)

M said...

I thought this place was amazing in summer and now you have given me a tiny taste of Christmas ... I will use the word of the day and tell you that j'ai fait un souhait to see it for myself some day. Beautiful photo, Genie.

Cezar and Léia said...

Wow charming decoration, I love the angle in this picture, it's awesome!
Cette galerie est tès chic!
bises
Léis

Sylvia K said...

What a fantastic place and your photo is breathtaking! Really superb, Genie. My first look at Christmas!! Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Virginia said...

WEll this is stunning but I think the red/gold satin like balls in 2008 might be the big winner. Can't wait to see what they show this year. I love GL, so over the top!
V

TheChieftess said...

As if that dome isn't gorgeous enough with out all the holiday decor!!! Fun shot Genie!!! Looks like it's raining Christmas presents!!!

Loree said...

It looks like a wonderful place to shop and the decor is sublime.

Suburban Girl said...

A kid's dream! Gifts falling from above. And a beautiful 'above' it is!

Paris Paul said...

How fun is this! Now, if only the help there could be as festive and joyous...

Starman said...

They had already put up the Christmas decorations when we were there last month.

Birdman said...

Were you on your back? ha

Anonymous said...

This beautiful dome is a lovely palette for anything.
x

o2 said...

Let the Magie de Noël begin !
It's awesome ! Great shot.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Bibi -- I love all the grands magasins, not for the actual shopping but for the decorations and the excitement!

JB -- Merci, nice to see you dropping in here.

Bergson -- Vraiment? Il semble donc...

Bear -- There is no question about the commercialism but in terms of enjoying the spectacle in Paris as a voyeur, I do. To see the children watching the animated windows in awe is a joy.

Shell -- It is a dizzying viewpoint, n'est-ce pas? I will be there in a little over 2 weeks!

Andy -- For the most part Paris is quite stunning, but there are some less scenic areas as well as some "art-gone-bad."

Sab -- I'll let you know shortly!

Holly -- I can't wait either!!

Marie -- I just could not stand to miss the Christmas displays so Holly and I will take it all in...

Léia -- Yes, I would agree on the chic-ness of GalLaf. Merci and hugs to you.

Sylvia -- This is my first look at Christmas also and I wanted to make sure that the stores were decorated before I ventured into posting. Merci!

Virginia -- 2008 was the one year that I missed but the decor each year is amazing.

Chieftess -- When you walk into the atrium (of perfume stands) it will take your breath away!

Loree -- I did not shop very much but there is plenty of enthusiasm and excitement in the stores and in the streets

Rebecca -- It did have the effect of floating gifts suspended in a magic medium.

Paul -- Say it's not so... hummm?

Starman -- So do tell, what is the decor in this dome of GalLaf this year?

Birdman -- You are just too funny, but I just about was. I think that I was leaning against a counter with my head straight up. I have resorted to the "on the back" method (in churches.... shhhhh!)

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Suzi -- I saw it in June with just the dome and thought that although it was beautiful, it did look a bit bare. This will be our first stop in December, arriving early to beat the crowds.

o2 -- Ditto, commencez Noël! Merci!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I am almost dizzy looking "up" at the picture. Good thing I'm sitting down! LOL

Liz

Alexa said...

This place has always been fabulous at Christmastime. I think you found the perfect dead-on perspective for this shot!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Liz -- It does give a bit of the Alice and Wonderland "falling through the rabbit hole" feeling!

Alexa -- Merci, mon amie!

Sara Louise said...

Be still my beating heart! I would love so much to be strolling through the aisles, up and down the floors, with nothing but time and a very full wallet!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Sara Louise -- Come and join us! Holly and I will be there in little more than 2 weeks. We will not have a wallet full of Euros to spend but the photos and the view are free!! Bises

Starman said...

It's the same. I don't think they've changed it in several years.

James said...

Wow Deja vu. I took this same shot just last week. :) I also saw a window display that looked very familiar near Place Vendome so I snapped a few shots. It was the same lingerie display that you posted in September. They just took away the pearls and put on another necklace. :) Paris was great but it sure rained a lot.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Starman -- I know that the windows change each year but I can believe that they run the interior displays more than once. I will be there shortly to check it out!

James -- Well, very interesting... When you get a bunch of us checking out displays, we can know just how often the stores make a redesign. Thanks for letting me know about the lingerie display. It is probably so expensive that no one has bought it yet! Did you go to Bon Marché? Their windows are really "out there" -- I can't wait!

'Tsuki said...

I'm quite glad to be able to avoid all this pressure during this specific holliday, since I live in a small village... Of course, chrismas ornaments are lovely, but sometimes, when I was living in Paris, I thought it was quite too much in fact...

But I remember going to see the displays of the La Samaritaine every year, cause they were so fabumous with all those automates...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

'Tsuki -- When I first went to Paris, La Samaritaine was still in operation and it was so sad that it closed.

The whole commercialization of Christmas is way over the top in the US, and yet I enjoy seeing all the automated windows in Paris (and NYC). I would love to see the simple decorations and celebrations in a "small village" such as yours. Merci for your comments.

cocoa and coconut said...

This image gives me such joy because I was there this time last year (2009) and took a similar image of those bright and festive christmas boxes.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Brittany -- We could have been snapping our photos right next to each other! Quelle chance!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic shot! Love it.