How can you make the most of a day’s shopping whilst staying in Paris Madeleine?

Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann are among the most visited destinations in Paris. Every year, millions of visitors pass through their doors to discover the latest collections, enjoy the luxury departments, admire the shop windows or simply soak up the unique atmosphere of these iconic department stores.

Located less than ten minutes’ walk from the Relais Madeleine, they are an unmissable stop on any visit to the capital. To make the most of your day’s shopping, however, a few tips can make all the difference.

Start early to avoid the crowds

Like many tourist attractions in Paris, the department stores are much more pleasant to visit early in the day, and on weekdays if possible.

Between 10 am and midday, the aisles remain relatively uncrowded and the most popular areas are still easily accessible.

From early afternoon onwards, the crowds gradually build up, particularly at weekends, during school holidays and festive periods.

If you want to take your time, try out several shops or enjoy the luxury sections in the best possible conditions, we therefore recommend visiting in the morning.

Don’t miss the panoramic terraces

Many visitors come for the shopping and leave without discovering one of the neighbourhood’s most beautiful panoramic views.

Yet the terraces at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps offer a remarkable view over the rooftops of Paris.

From these vantage points, you’ll be able to see, amongst other things:

• The Opéra Garnier
• The Eiffel Tower
• Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur
• The Grand Boulevards
• Much of the Haussmann-style rooftops

Entry is free and it makes for an excellent break during the day. On a clear day, it’s also one of the best spots to take a few souvenir photos.

Set aside some time for the dining areas

Department stores aren’t just about fashion. Over the years, they’ve become real gourmet destinations. With areas dedicated to French specialities, tea rooms, patisserie corners and restaurants with panoramic views, there’s plenty to choose from.

Stopping for lunch on the premises often saves time whilst allowing you to make the most of the experience.

For those who prefer to explore the neighbourhood, the streets around La Madeleine are also brimming with great places to eat, from Parisian brasseries to more off-the-beaten-track spots.

Make the most of the services available to international visitors

Galeries Lafayette and Printemps welcome customers from all over the world.

A range of services has therefore been developed to make travellers’ visits easier:

• Tax refunds for visitors from outside the European Union
• Multilingual staff
• International delivery
• Personal shopping services
• Concierge services tailored to specific areas

If you’re planning to make significant purchases, it may be worth enquiring as soon as you arrive so that you can make the most of these services.

Alternate shopping with exploring the neighbourhood

One of the most common mistakes is spending the whole day in the department stores without exploring the surrounding area.

Yet the neighbourhood is well worth a visit.

Just a few minutes away, you can visit:

• The Opéra Garnier
• Place de la Madeleine
• Place Vendôme
• The neighbourhood’s shopping streets
• The Tuileries Gardens

This mix of shopping, historic sites and strolls allows you to discover a more complete picture of Paris.

Plan a break before your luxury shopping

The boutiques of the major fashion houses naturally attract large numbers of visitors. If you wish to explore these worlds at your leisure, it’s often best to set aside a specific time for them rather than rushing through them between shopping trips.

Taking the time to chat with the sales assistants, explore the collections and enjoy the different areas is all part of the experience. This is also why the morning is often the most pleasant time to explore these boutiques.

Drop off your purchases at the hotel and carry on with your day

One of the advantages of staying at the Relais Madeleine is its immediate proximity to the department stores.

After a few hours’ shopping, it’s easy to pop back to the hotel to drop off your bags before heading out to enjoy Paris again. You can then carry on with your day with a cultural visit, dinner in the neighbourhood or a stroll to the Place Vendôme and the Tuileries without being weighed down by your shopping.

A Parisian experience in its own right

Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are much more than just shopping centres. They are part of Paris’s history and have contributed to the identity of the Madeleine neighbourhood for several generations.

With their architecture, fashion, fine dining and panoramic views of the capital, they offer an experience that goes far beyond mere shopping.