Un cadeau de France
Christmas at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann: Au Cœur de Noël
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's playful windows, a singing 25-metre tree and skating on the roof, all at Paris's grandest department store.
Forget the usual red and gold: this year the grand old store on Boulevard Haussmann goes technicolour for the festive season. Come for the windows, stay for the rooftop rink, and leave with a bag of Parisian treats.
Windows that break the Christmas rules. The theme is Au Cœur de Noël, or "At the Heart of Christmas", and the designer behind it is Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, famous for his joyful pop-art palette. Expect cheeky characters and bright, hand-drawn scenes. Inside, look up: a 25-metre tree towers beneath the Art Nouveau cupola, and every half hour it bursts into a light-and-music show composed by DJ Vladimir Cauchemar.
A slice of the Alps on the rooftop. Between 27 November 2026 and 3 January 2027, the terrace becomes an ice rink, designed with the mountain resort of Courchevel. Up to 88 skaters can glide at a time, with the Eiffel Tower and the rooftops of Paris as the backdrop.
Gifts, gourmet and a few treats for yourself. Browse French fashion and beauty, designer accessories, exclusive collaborations and the refreshed Jellycat range, then head to Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet for chocolates, pâtisserie and seasonal delicacies. If you're coming in the new year, the January and February sales pair nicely with a VAT refund.
Tax-free shopping, made easy. If you live outside the EU, download the GoTaxFree app and register your passport once; after that it can stay in your hotel safe while you scan receipts and fill in refund forms on your phone. Qualifying purchases over €100 earn a 12% VAT refund (less bank fees), tracked digitally. You'll still need customs to validate it before you fly home.
A bonus for UK shoppers. Thanks to a Mastercard partnership, UK residents who spend €250 or more in the store get €25 back.
Add a class or a tasting. Enter FRANCEMEDIA10 when booking French lifestyle experiences online at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann to save 10%, until 31 December 2027.
Galeries Lafayette sets its own offers, dates and terms, so check their website before you go.