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Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann

Boulevard Haussmann is 1.75 miles of tree-lined walkways, and a premier shopping destination in Paris. Here you’ll find top of the line couture, the latest in French fashions, and other high-end designs.

History

In 1864, Boulevard Haussmann opened as a seamless blend of natural beauty and Parisian city flavor. Baron Georges Haussmann embarked on the boulevard project to bring more nature into the bustling city of Paris. Named after its creator, Boulevard Haussmann extends throughout the 8^th and 9^th arrondissement of Paris, and was initially a street largely for residential apartments. Now, notable department stores on this route include Galeries Lafayette, Anu Printemps, and Marks & Spencer.

The boulevard was just one of the Baron’s many projects for updating Paris, and contributed to making it a true modern city. With the support of Napoleon III, Haussmann set to work on an ambitious urban planning project, including the design and opening of four main parks that decorate the north, south, east, and west ends of the city: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Parc Montsouris, Bois de Vincennes, and Bois de Boulogne.

Gustave Caillebotte, an Impressionist painter, captured Boulevard Haussmann on canvas many times over. Caillebotte often painted scenes from a high vantage point, including his 1880 painting of Boulevard Haussmann, entitled A Traffic Island (Un refuge, boulevard Haussmann).

The Shops

Since it’s opening in 1893, Galeries Lafayette has been a staple of Parisian fashion. Business quickly soared, and the store found itself growing and expanding at rapid pace. Galeries Lafayette attracted all types of shoppers, from Parisian elite to working class women.

By 1896, just three short years after opening, the building 1 Rue Lafayette was purchased. By 1905, Galeries Lafayette had also taken over a good chunk of Boulevard Haussmann, in addition to another building on Chaussée d’Antin.

The Boulevard Haussmann store underwent a major change in 1906, when Bader hired famous architects Georges Chedanne and his protégé Ferdinand Chanut to work their magic. In fact, Chedanne and Chanut redesigned several buildings on Boulevard Haussmann, Chausée d’Antin, Mogador and Provence streets in the oriental bazaar style.

By October 1912, the five-story Boulevard Haussmann store was ready to open. Boasting a glass dome, beautiful balconies, and upscale architectural design inspired by a neo-Byzantine style, the inauguration ceremony was widely promoted throughout Paris as a major social event. Galeries Lafayette grew to hold 96 different departments including photography, furniture, travel, toys, and tableware. The store also offered its upscale customers a library, tearoom, and hairdressing salon for a true French shopping experience. You can even see the Eiffel Tower from the top floor!

Famous French singer Edith Piaf performed at the Boulevard Haussmann location in the Galeries Lafayette store. She sang popular hits such as La Vie en Rose, l’Hymne à l’amour, and La plus belle histoire d’amour.

Today, Galerie Lafayette offers shopping of all kinds: from Couture to home furnishings, high-end jewelry, to off-runway clothing, and even gourmet food, this historic building on Boulevard Lafayette is sure to give you a true Parisian shopping experience.

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Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann