This Stunning Shopping Mall In The Heart Of Paris Is As Exquisite As The City Outside

The City of Lights is famous for its gorgeous cultural and historical monuments, like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. So perhaps it's no surprise that Paris, the Fashion Capitol of the World, would also have a shopping mall that is equally as exquisite, and worthy of a visit, as anything you might find in the rest of the city.

Malls don't usually make it onto Paris itineraries, but Galeries Lafayette Haussmann isn't your standard escalator-and-food-court affair. Opened in 1893 as a tiny haberdashery (a store selling men's clothing and novelty accessories) run by two Alsatian cousins, it quickly ballooned into a luxury market under the glow of its soaring Art Nouveau dome. Today, the store spans three buildings and has become both a shopping mecca and an architectural icon. The star is the Coupole building, crowned with its famous 141-foot glass dome. Underneath its stained-glass canopy, you'll find women's fashion and accessories displayed in vendor-style stalls that lend the space a lively, market-like energy. The second building houses men's apparel, while the third focuses on home decor and gastronomy, including gourmet shops and fine-dining restaurants.

Together, the three buildings feature thousands of brands, well over a dozen dining options, and plenty of unexpected diversions. Visitors can stroll along a glass walkway to admire the dome up close (reserve online for free to avoid lines) or head to the rooftop terrace, where views of the Eiffel Tower make it hard to remember you're technically at a mall. Order a drink at sunset and you'll understand why Galeries Lafayette has become as much a cultural landmark as a retail destination. 

If there's ever a place to indulge your inner foodie, it's Paris — and Galeries Lafayette is a surprisingly good place to start. The Gourmet Market is packed with temptations that allow you to experience Paris like a Parisian: Sample artisanal wedges at the cheesemonger's counter, or grab a warm croissant from Meunier Bakery for breakfast on the go. Pierre Hermé is a must-stop for classic macarons and indulgent chocolates packed in tin boxes that are perfect for gifting — if you can resist finishing them yourself. When you need a pause, the Ladurée Tea Room offers the kind of genteel break Parisians have been taking since 1862, when the first Ladurée was opened. Settle in with a pastry and a pot of tea, and it feels a little like stepping back into 19th-century Paris — minus the bustle of carriages outside.

One of the mall's best surprises is its lineup of top-rated restaurants, which turn a shopping break into a full dining experience. Yora brings a taste of the Peruvian Amazon with ceviche, tacos, and Latin rhythms that make it hard to remember you're technically in a department store. For something lighter, head upstairs to Créatures, a rooftop restaurant devoted to vegetarian Mediterranean cuisine. The setting alone — a breezy terrace with sweeping Paris views — already feels indulgent, and the food makes it even better. Plates of charred eggplant with arugula and Parmesan or a strawberry and rhubarb mille-feuille (puff pastry) balance refreshing flavors with just enough decadence. Galeries Lafayette proves you don't need a Michelin star to eat memorably in Paris.

While the shopping alone could keep you busy for hours, Galeries Lafayette has expanded into something more immersive: a place where you can take a class, attend a show, or simply enjoy Parisian culture in miniature. Every Friday, the store hosts a 30-minute fashion show highlighting seasonal trends ($30 for adults, $18 for children), a rare chance to watch runway action without breaking the bank. History buffs can book a guided heritage tour ($21 for adults, $10 for children) that grants access to restricted areas and traces the store's evolution from haberdashery to haute couture empire.

For culinary types, the macaron workshop ($70 for adults, $24 for children) is a crowd favorite, letting adults and kids alike whip up tasty Parisian pastries, while the cooking course (starting at $142) offers an intimate class led by a Ferrandi-trained chef for just four to six participants. Beyond food and fashion, the in-house Wellness Galerie doubles as a spa and lifestyle hub, complete with facials, massages, fitness classes, and a Colorimetry Workshop ($36) where a coach helps you pinpoint the shades that best suit your features. From solo travelers to adventurous families, the Galeries Lafayette offers activities for everyone. 

Centrally located and easy to reach by metro, Galeries Lafayette can be a quick detour or a full afternoon. Most visitors discover it's not just another shopping stop: it's a cultural experience where you leave with a few indulgences — whether that's a new blazer, a box of pastel macarons, or simply the memory of standing on a rooftop watching the Eiffel Tower glow at dusk.