Printemps Haussmann visitor guide

Visit Printemps Haussmann, Paris

Printemps Haussmann is a charming and long established department store on Boulevard Haussmann, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris near the Paris Opera.

Discover Printemps Haussmann

France This Way review: the architecture, dome and roof terrace of Printemps Haussmann are quite remarkable, and the shopping experience is exceptional, so we recommend you visit the store when in Paris

The store was originally created in 1865, under the name Au Printemps, hence the name on the outside of the building, and the name by which it is often still referred today. It was designed to resemble an enclosed market, with large shop windows to entive shoppers inside.

It was only a year later that they introduced the idea of a shop having a sale to clear out stock that was surplus or slightly out of fashion.

Over the following 20 years the shop expanded to occupy the upper floors of the same building, and then to take over several adjacent buildings. In 1881 a large fire destroyed most of these original structures, and the shop we see today was built on the same site.

The building that includes the famous dome, in art nouveau style, and the roof terrace was added in 1910. A further fire in 1921 caused substantial amounts of damage, but the building was rebuilt with essentially the same appearance.

It can be rather confusing when you visit because there are essentially three buildings: Printemps de la Femme, Printemps Beauté Maison Enfant and Printemps de l'Homme.

The main architectural highlights for visitors are the dome, the roof terrace and the Grand Staircase.

The large dome is of stained glass and steel, essentially blue but incorporating many colourful elements.

The Grand Staircase was added after the fire in 1921 and is a very imposing staircase of stone and wrought iron, with no visible supports. Large wall mirrors further accentuate the grandeur of the staircase.

The roof terrace has remarkable views across the rooftops of Paris, including a view of the Eiffel Tower, and a chance to see the outside of the smaller domes in the corners of the buildings. There is also a cafe on the roof terrace but you can admire the views even if you are not going to the cafe.

As well as the many luxury goods that are available in Printemps Haussmann, such as clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, perfume etc, there is a recent addition of a department established to promote second hand clothes and articles, still of luxury brands but at reduced prices./p>

Visiting Printemps Haussmann

The closest metro station to Printemps Haussmann is the Havre - Caumartin station, on lines 3 and 9 of the Paris metro.

If you can visit in the weeks before Christmas you will have a chance to see some of the most impressive animated shop window displays to be found anywhere in Paris, perhaps in the world.

To be sure that you see all the architectural highlights of the store, Printemps Haussmann have an app that guides you through them, and each has an information notice (in French and English).

Attractions nearby

Almost next door to Printemps Haussmann is another department store renowned for its art deco architecture, and also with a large dome, Galeries Lafayette, and you should visit this store while you are here.

The streets around the store such as Boulevard Haussmann, the Boulevard de l'Opera, and Rue IV Septembre contain some very impressive examples of Haussmann architecture, the architecture that is typical of central Paris.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Printemps Haussmann see HERE