© Olivia Hoffman
It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! Lights have been hung, garlands have been strung and creative takes on holiday magic continue to leave us in awe.
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Christmas decorations and immersive experiences are popping up all over the City of Lights, making it shine even brighter. Without a doubt, the most inspiring places to catch the holiday spirit are in and around Paris’ grand, historic department stores.
Read on to discover the best places where you can not only get your Christmas shopping done, but also catch the most fantastical holiday decoration displays.
Le Bon Marché
This year, Le Bon Marché celebrates its 170th anniversary of putting up Christmas decorations! This Rive Gauche (Left Bank) staple has been an institution for so many Parisians over its long history. To celebrate 170 years, the store has been decked with an avalanche of colossal Christmas ornaments in reds, pinks, and golds.
Le Bon Marché
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007
Le BHV Marais
In the heart of the Marais, passersby are presented with Provençal dreams. Le BHV has partnered this year with Provence Tourisme to promote the allure of warmer days on a coastal holiday. Get inspired by the windows, plan your 2023 vacation destinations, then head across the street to enjoy an equally magical Parisian white Christmas at the beautiful holiday market on the plaza of Hotel de Ville.
Le BHV Marais
52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004
La Samaritaine
Dance over to the edge of the Seine where La Samaritaine is showcasing an exhibition curated in collaboration with l’Opéra de Paris. Explore each floor to discover ballet costumes made in the Opéra’s workshops by great designers including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix. As you climb the stairs, you’ll see dotting the railings of each floor are the 24 numbers leading up to Christmas, making you feel like you’re walking inside a real-life advent calendar!
La Samaritaine
9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to see the gilded dome of Galeries Lafayette. Every year, a tremendous holiday installation is hung from the center of the dome, turning heads and dropping jaws. For 2022, the theme is “Planète Sapin” (Planet Christmas Tree) based on a fairytale by Claire Castillon and illustrated by Florent Chavouet. Blast off to Boulevard Haussmann to discover an imaginative Christmas presentation that is out of this world.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
Printemps
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, Paris presents to you, the Printemps Circus! Continuing down Boulevard Haussmann, the Printemps department store has created a whimsical window installation in four parts, guiding passersby through a full circus spectacle. Puppets depicting clowns, trapeze artists and exotic animals lead up to the grand finale: a full band performance around a golden Ferrero Rocher Christmas tree, nonetheless.
If you can’t make it to Paris this Holiday season, we hope you’re inspired to add an imaginative spin on your winter decor – or perhaps – plan a trip for next Christmas!