Les Galeries Lafayette enjoys a legendary reputation among Paris' most famous department stores, dating back to 1893. Today, The Lafayette Coupole - which is the Paris department store's main building - is home to three floors and more than 40,000 square-feet of designer women's, junior and children's fashion, accessories, cosmetics, jewellery, books, electronics and music.
In addition, there is the Lafayette Homme men's collection and a Galeries Lafayette home store ‘Lafayette Maison', which specialises in stylish furnishings for the home. To learn more about shopping at Les Galeries Lafayette Paris, get store details and view a directory map of departments and designers, visit the Les Galeries Lafayette website.
The Louvre Museum -
As the former seat of French royalty, Le Palais du Louvre (The Louvre Palace) is just as grand and imposing as you might imagine. These days of course, the Louvre is home to some of the globe's most loved and valued works of art - rather than kings and queens - making it one of the world's most-visited museums.
The permanent collection at this prestigious gallery includes masterpieces by great European masters such as Da Vinci, Delacroix, Vermeer and Rubens, as well as unsurpassed Greco-Roman, Egyptian and Islamic art collections.
Spanning from antiquity to the early modern period, the Louvre boasts eight thematic departments and around 35,000 individual pieces of artwork, and as such this stunning collection would take days to examine in full. Visitors are usually forced to cherry pick from the incredible array of pieces on display, so it's worth compiling a list of your favourites before you visit. A word of warning however, the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo tend to be pretty popular with the crowds!
The Vendome Square -
The Vendome Square, known locally as Place Vendôme can be found in the first arrondissement of Paris, to the north of the Tuileries Gardens and east of the Église de la Madeleine. This grand square is famous for its iconic central column, the original of which was erected by Napoleon to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz.
Today the square is surrounded by jewellers, prestigious banks and high-end shops. In fact Place Vendôme is now known as one of the epicentres of Parisian luxury, boasting stores of famous French dress designers and labels of luxury such as Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Guerlain, Chanel. Its locale at the starting point of the Rue de la Paix makes it a great place from which to begin a picture perfect stroll to the Opéra Garnier.
The ideal hotel for your trip to Paris -
You can shop to your heart's content in Paris, so why not make The Hôtel Westminster the base for your next Paris shopping break?
Les Galeries Lafayette is located just 250 metres or 0.2 miles from our landmark hotel in the heart of Paris, between the Place Vendôme and the Opera. The majestic Hôtel Westminster is located in the midst of some of the world's most famous addresses for fashion and jewellery - and is within easy walking distance of the Louvre and the Faubourg Saint Honoré.
This historical luxury hotel is a showcase of charm and refinement, from its antique furniture to its marble fireplaces. Our renowned award-winning restaurant, Le Céladon, and our cosy piano bar known as The Duke's Bar will ensure your stay is filled with inviting food and drink. The hotel is also home to the Westminster Fitness Centre, with its panoramic views over the rooftops of Paris, which offers our guests 120 square-metres dedicated to health and relaxation. Plus, all of our hotel rooms and suites are equipped with wireless internet connection or ADSL, so you can stay connected while in Paris. Book your next trip to Paris >>
