If you're in Paris and in the mood for shopping but time is scarce you should visit Les Galeries Lafayette where you can find everything from the latest designer clothes, perfume and jewelry to home accessories and groceries. One of the largest department stores in Europe, it was opened in 1896 and features a spectacular stained-glass and steel dome and a beautiful staircase both built in an Art Nouveau style. It's worth a visit even if you don't buy anything but it is a definite must for the fashionistas: Versace, Gucci, Christian Dior, Vuitton, Prada, Hugo Boss they're all there. The largest perfumery in the world offering top-of-the-line cosmetics can be found on the ground floor, fashion designer clothes boutiques spread on 3 floors and atop the building a lovely terrace overlooks the city's scenery.

Galeries Lafayette has a special department for men's fashion, Lafayette Homme, on the third floor, a department for shoe aficionados, entirely dedicated to luxury items, special departments for future mothers and children and a brand new lingerie department. At Lafayette Mariage you can find wedding accessories and the Galeries Lafayette Maison, the building on the other side of boulevard Haussmann, is devoted to home furnishings and accessories. The Lafayette Gourmet is one of the best groceries in the city stocked with the fanciest edible items in the world and a large collection of quality wines. Different stations focus on specialty breads and pastries, French and foreign cheeses, meats and fish, fine chocolate and also fruit and vegetables from around the world.
Les Galeries Lafayette are open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday from 9:30am to 6:45pm and Thursdays 9:30am to 9pm.

35-40 bd. Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Metro: Chaussée d'Antin
Tel: 01-42-82-34-56
Email: welcome@galerieslafayette.com
http://www.galerieslafayette.com