Spotlight On…Galeries Lafayette, Paris

One of the most famous department stores in Paris, and perhaps the world, the Galeries Lafayette, had surprisingly humble origins. In 1893 Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn opened a fashion store in a small haberdasher’s shop at the corner of rue La Fayette and the Chaussée d’Antin, Paris. In 1896, the company was successful enough to purchase the entire building at n°1 rue La Fayette and in 1905 the buildings at n°38, 40 et 42, boulevard Haussmann and n°15 rue de la Chaussée d’Antin.
 
Théophile Bader commissioned Georges Chedanne and then his pupil Ferdinand Chanut to design the layout of the Haussmann location. A glass and steel dome, and Art Nouveau staircases were built in 1912 and this 10-story masterpiece of design is the company’s flagship store.
 
Galeries Lafayette
40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France‎ – 01 42 82 34 56‎

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