Printemps, Paris

Approximately one block away from the nicest department store (in my opinion), Galeries Lafayette, is another grand magasin (dept. store): Au Printemps.

It's multi-storied as Galeries Lafayette, but it doesn't have the same old-style feel and the same atmosphere. Generally Au Printemps carries the same items as Galeries Lafayette. However, the selection is not as extensive.

There are separate sections for fashions: men's, women's, children. Also there is a housewares section, accessories section, etc. All in all Printemps and Gal. Lafayette rival each other in everything.

There is also a restaurant on the sixth floor called Cafe Flo.

What to buy: You can buy anything that you would normally find in any department store worldwide. Of course, for me, the handbags are a good buy.

What to pay: Prices are average for Paris and they are similar or exactly the same as at Galeries Lafayette.

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There are 4 Le Printemps stores in the Paris City center:

-Printemps Design au Centre Pompidou at 19, Rue Beaubourg - 75004 Paris.
-Printemps Haussmann, The Main store at 64, Boulevard Haussmann - 75009 Paris.
-Printemps Italie 2 at Centre Commercial - 30, Avenue d'Italie - 75013 Paris.
-Printemps Nation at 21-25 Cours de Vincennes - 75020 Paris.

What to buy: Your everyday household needs.

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Another big expensive store that we visited for other than shopping reasons :)

The building itself is beautiful, in art nouveau style, it was built about 100 years before!

We only checked the prices at perfumes (more expensive anyway), the clothes seem (according to the females of our group) but also pricey. There is something for everyone (men, women, kids, jewelry, accessories) but a good credit card will help.

So we just took the lift up to 9th floor where they have a nice café/restaurant with amazing view over the city (Eiffel Tower included of course, check pic 3). There is outdoor seating at the terrace but also a nice small bar inside if you visited during winter like we did (pic 4).

The prices were normal…

The store is open Monday-Saturday 9:35-19:00, night opening on Thursdays to 10 p.m.

Even if you don't want to do some shopping the architecture of the Printemps department store at the boulevard Haussmann makes the visit worthwhile on the outside especially at the corner of the boulevard and the rue du Havre leading to the Gare St Lazare (ref. photo) and inside having lunch at the Brasserie Printemps under the large cupola from 1923 made of tainted glass and steel. (Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9.35 am to 8 pm • Women's Store, Floor 6).
I had a few times lunch there but what I ignored is that the cupola was dismantled and stored at Clichy in 1939 to avoid the risk of destruction by bombing. It was restored only in 1973. The façade and cupola of the building are registered as historical monuments.

I was told about this place from my art teacher.
You have to go to the cafe at the top of Printemps, it was built in 1923 in an Art Nouveau style and is a stained glass dome consisted of 3,185 panes of glass with a diameter of 20 meters. Luckly they had the foresight to protect this jem during WW2 so it's still here today.
The cafe does great ice cream too.

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On the same day I was on my way to the Chapelle Expiatoire, I also stopped by Printemps at one of their outside vendors to buy a floral silk scarf (100% soie/silk) bordered in navy blue for a scant 15€.

Not to be outdone by their neighbor, they also decorate for the holidays but I prefer Galeries Lafayette's light display!

However, Printemps has a much prettier building.

Photos: November 2007 & February 2006

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For Individual Travellers
Upon presentation of your foreign passport and under certain conditions, department store will be pleased to offer you a 10% discount card at the Welcome Service, ground floor, Printemps de la mode.

Remark: It is free! In the Printemps department store go to the 9th floor (take the elevator to the 8th floor, go through the luggage section, and take the escalator up towards La Terrasse restaurant). Walk through the restaurant and exit through the glass doors. You will find yourself on a large outside rooftop terrace that provides an amazing view of many Paris monuments: look to the left and you will find the Opéra, the Grand Palais, the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Looking right you have a superb view of la Butte Montmartre. The terrace is not so well known, so it is not too crowded.

Founded in 1865 by Jules Jaluzot, the Printemps was designed by Paul Sédille, perfectly executing the modern and daring spirit of its founder.

Monday to Saturday from 9:35 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Night opening on Thursdays to 10 p.m.

What to buy: Men's fashion, Women's fashion, Children's fashion, beauty care, home decoration.

You name it, they have it.

What to pay: From budget, affordable to the exquistely expensive

Similar to Galeries Lafayette, Printemps is a great place to find just about anything. It's a multi-storied shopping complex which carries approximately the same types of items Galeries Lafayette does.

There are a few locations throughout Paris and they have fashion for men, women, children and they also carry a wide range of housewares, jewelry and accessories.

There is also a cute restaurant on the sixth floor called Cafe Flo.

What to buy: Just about anything can be purchased here but I usually like to check out their uinque women's clothing and their women's lingerie department.

Check out Cafe Flo located on the 6th floor.

What to pay: Prices are about average

Perhaps the most beautiful shopping mall I have even seen . And that day i could only do window shopping because I didnt know places are closed on Sunday . Sigh

So sis, dont blame me for not getting an LV or Versace for ya . I was there but it was closed.