Also known as the ‘City of Love’, Paris remains one of the world’s most cherished capitals of fashion, art, gastronomy and culture. From haute couture maisons and celebrated museums to Michelin-starred dining and architectural landmarks, the city continues to shape global ideas of luxury and creativity.
Paris did not earn its reputation in a day; it evolved over centuries, shaped by its rich history of art and a cityscape designed for strolling. Writers, thinkers and artists met in cafes, salons and smoky rooms, their conversations and ideas gradually finding expression in literature, art and the soul of the city itself. The city’s romantic aura was cemented by generations of writers, painters and films that cast it as the ultimate backdrop for passion.
Then come the iconic landmarks that travellers now associate with romance worldwide: the Eiffel Tower that sparkles for five minutes at the beginning of each hour after sunset, the Sacré-Cœur, famous for its commanding location at the city’s highest point. The list includes the Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts spanning the Seine like open invitations.
These renowned landmarks didn’t just pull travellers to the city, they shaped how the world imagined love.
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As travellers increasingly seek experiences that bring these worlds together, iconic institutions are evolving to offer culture, cuisine, design and fashion within a single destination. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann exemplifies this shift, transforming the traditional department store into a multifaceted hub of discovery and experience.
Encapsulating a plethora of experiences this season, the department store defines the changing face of luxury travel by blending high fashion with gastronomy, art, and design under its iconic roof.
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Galeries Lafayette is becoming more than a luxury department store, offering travellers a curated world of experiences under one roof.
The culinary journey begins on the eighth-floor rooftop. Chef Julien Sebbag has returned with Le Balcon, a new bistro experience that revisits Parisian classics with a modern twist against a backdrop of panoramic skyline views. Nearby, the spirit of the French Riviera thrives at La Douce Heure, a seasonal St-Germain bar.
From midday to midnight, travellers can indulge in elderflower-infused ice cream and chilled spritzes while soaking in the sweeping views. For those seeking a Michelin-starred treat, Yannick Alléno presents “Happy Sundaes” outside Le Gourmet, reinventing the classic dessert with grand cru chocolate and gourmet sauces.
The store’s curated fashion programme highlights the season’s most covetable arrivals. Immersive pop-ups showcase Brazilian brand Haight, known for its sculptural silhouettes, alongside Ché Studios, whose Riviera-inspired swimwear gained fame on The White Lotus.
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Meanwhile, brands like La Galpa and Dolla offer minimalist, sensual ready-to-wear inspired by Marie Antoinette’s palette. This ‘Colour Therapy’ is complemented by a resurgence of seashell motifs and a 50th-anniversary L’Occitane en Provence pop-up that recreates the charm of a traditional Provençal home in the heart of Paris.
Culture remains central to the experience. For Paris Design Week, Chinese artist Hui Hui unveils ‘Lightness Garden’, an installation that celebrates the fluidity of craftsmanship through textile works. Visitors can further explore spirituality and materialism at Lafayette Anticipations, which currently exhibits works by Diego Marcon and Ladji Diaby.
By offering access to unique creativity and soul food, Galeries Lafayette has redefined itself as an essential experiential hub. It is no longer just a stop for retail, but a destination where the modern traveller can experience the very essence of Parisian summer.
