Day 3: The 12 Days of Christmas by Bon Voyage Friends, Travel Tuesday: Galeries Lafayette Paris

The gorgeous Christmas decor at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris is a wonderful tradition and I am so grateful to have visited the department store three times during the Christmas season. Each year the tree in the center of the flagship location in the 9th Arrondissement (Opéra Quarters). The display last Christmas was just spectacular! It was just incredible to be there and enjoy the festivities, the tree also lit up with music and the village around the tree rotated.

2013 Christmas Tree at the Galeries Lafayette

As I was thinking about how blessed I am to have visited Paris and the fun times spent at the Galeries Lafayette, especially during the Christmas season- it inspired me to research some interesting facts about this flagship department store. I am so grateful for the adventures of travel and look forward to returning to Paris in March with my friends Swati and Maisie. Di's sweet newborn, Ollie, will be too young to go along for this adventure, but with Facetime and Whatsapp -she won't be very far. 

Five Facts About The Galeries Lafayette

History
In 1893, two cousins from the Alsace, Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn, decided to open a shop selling novelty items in a small haberdashery, measuring just 70 m2, on the corner of rue La Fayette and rue de la Chaussée d’Antin in Paris.

Its location and the internal layout of the store, which encouraged customers to move along the aisles in straight lines, led to its name “Aux Galeries Lafayette”. Whilst the venture was a bit of a gamble, the store was in the perfect location near to the Opera and the Grands Boulevards. Crowds of Parisians and visitors from out of town spilled out of the neighbouring Saint-Lazare railway station, attracted by the businesses in the area. Source: Galeries LaFayette http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/culture-and-heritage/

Fashion Shows 
Professional models will be taking part to unveil the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store’s fashion collection. Fashion shows every Monday and Friday at 3pm in the Salon Opéra, 7th floor of the Lafayette Dome* (Duration: 25min.)

*By reservation only, subject to schedule and availability, by telephone on +33 (0)1 42 82 30 25 or by email to fashionshow@galerieslafayette.com

Source: Galeries LaFayette http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/visit-a-galeries-lafayette-fashion-show-2-2/
Free Art Gallery 
Galeries Lafayette has long enjoyed strong links with the worlds of fashion and contemporary design. The Haussmann department store regularly hosts prestigious events, showcasing key designers of the moment as well as introducing its customers to artists whose work has endured the test of time.

In 2001, the Galeries Lafayette group decided to cement its links with contemporary design by creating the Galerie des Galeries, a free-entry art gallery on the first floor of the store, dedicated to exhibiting the cross-over between art, fashion and design. Source: Galeries LaFayette http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/culture-and-heritage/

Shoes, shoes, shoes!!!
The Deluxe Fitting Room. Need to find the perfect pair of shoes? Then the Deluxe Fitting Room in the Shoe Department is where it’s at! Step in and take a look at the 12,000 pairs of shoes and 150 brands! Source: Galeries LaFayette http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/the-deluxe-fitting-room/

Restaurants 
The department store has over 20 restaurant spaces for you to choose from: names renowned and loved the world over such as Le Pain Quotidien, Angélina and Starbucks as well as exclusively designed concepts for Galeries Lafayette like Japanese restaurant Paris Tokyo and the Steak Point.Bon appétit! 
Source: Galeries LaFayette http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/our-restaurants/