Parisian VIP Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Paris is the home of style and fashion and the grand and glamorous department store Galeries Lafayette, is home to some of the most stylish and modern fashion in Paris. Not only does the store offer the latest in apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and perfume, it is all artfully displayed in the breathtakingly beautiful Georges Chedanne and Ferdinand Chanut designed store. The glass and steel dome and Art Nouveau staircases were finished in 1912.
This flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris always impresses me with its new merchandise displays, lovely cafes and stunning Christmas displays. I've shopped in Galeries Lafayette stores in a few countries including Dubai, Beijing and Paris, and I must say that Galeries Lafayette Haussmann remains my favourite store.
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'A real life daydream' as described by Galeries Lafayette
Something really special on offer at the Haussmann store is the VIP Shopping Experience, which the store describes as "a real-life daydream ... a unique day out, a guaranteed moment of escape in the heart of the temple of fashion. Your destination will be a hassle-free shopping getaway, a peaceful interlude in which to enjoy some well-being time in the “Le Concierge” lounge, where a team of professionals are on hand to bring you their tips and advice all day long". - Galeries Lafayette
What Is Included in the VIP Shopping Experience?
Let me explain the VIP Shopping Experience in more detail and why I enjoyed it so much. Firstly, you must book a date and time with the store (you can do this online at Galeries Lafayette) and then meet at the VIP desk at the Tronchet Entrance off rue Mogador. You will then be personally escorted to the VIP lounge where your experience concierge will welcome you and take your order from the lounge menu. A glass of champagne and some sweet biscuits was the perfect touch to start I thought, and they were delicious. I relaxed while sipping my drink and flicking through a couple of the lux coffee table books available.
I took a moment to reflect on what I was hoping to purchase as gifts for family members and was helped with suggestions from my knowledgable experience concierge.
You will have available during your day of shopping, a team of multilingual professionals to give you tips and advice and you can access the lounge at anytime during your shopping trip. Also helpful is the VIP payment and tax refund service and the option to have your purchases delivered directly to your hotel or residence in Paris (within 24 hours). This certainly beats carrying multiple or heavy bags around Paris if you have other activities planned for the same day.
The Lounge offers Wifi and bathrooms which always makes a busy shopping trip more relaxing.
Also included in the VIP Shopping Experience is a dining option with the renowned restaurant, Angelina, on the 1st floor of the store. On my shopping experience I indulged in Angelina's signature dessert, the Mont-Blanc, and a strong cup of coffee, after which I was ready to continue on again ... which I did with gusto! Delicious, and with the ingredients of this little cake still a secret, you will have to visit an Angelina restaurant yourself to try one.
Angélina cafe at Galeries Lafayette
Angélina cafe at Galeries Lafayette is described as follows:
"This sophisticated and cosy setting, with its marbled walls and gilding, it is reminiscent of the famous tearoom on rue de Rivoli. Here you will find house classics such as the unsurpassed Mont-Blanc and the Africain, its famous hot chocolate."
You can also take advantage of a private transfer to a location in Paris when you are completed. One of the nicest inclusions in the VIP Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette I find is the exclusive shopping tote. I've used mine on numerous trips around the city and love that it holds such a connection for me.
This experience would be even more fun with a girlfriend or sister I think and the store has thought of everything, offering group tickets for 2 or 3 as well as single tickets.
My Top Tips on What to Do at Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette is always a special place to shop, but the VIP Shopping Experience takes your shopping to the next level and offers a memorable experience - it is thoroughly recommended. A tip from me when visiting Galeries Lafayette is to visit the bookstore - it has a wide range of interesting books, walk the glass path to admire the building's architecture, and enjoy a delicious smoked salmon sandwich at Bar Kaspia. So next time you're in Paris why not book yourself a Parisian VIP Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette.
