Nope, this is not the dome of a cathedral. Nor is it the skylight of some grand mosque.
It's simply the ceiling of the most beautiful shopping mall on the planet – Galeries Lafayette!
Never mind the jaw-dropping prices of the luxury merchandise – just gawk at the ceiling and drool at the macarons. This upmarket French department store is a destination in itself and is the second most visited monument in Paris, after the Eiffel Tower.
Founded by two cousins in 1983, what started out as a tiny store became a mega department store chain and now operates in a number of locations in and outside France.
Opulence is the order of the day. Six levels of scalloped balconies with ornate railings wrap around the atrium like tiers of a wedding cake!
If you have money to burn, you could go crazy here – you will find every major designer brand available including the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Cartier, Chanel...
Their food hall is amazing!
I learned a thing or two about French pastries.
Éclair, the very classic French pastry
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| image source - Galeries La Fayette |
Macarons
I was told that most people confuse macarons with macaroons. I used to think that it was just a spelling mistake.
The differences
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| image source - The Spruce Eats |
A glass-bottom viewing platform that extends over the atrium on the third level provides a spectacular view beneath the Art Deco dome. The walkway is 9 metres long and suspended 16 metres high in mid-air – not recommended for those who have a fear of heights!
What is the most beautiful mall you have seen?
Never even heard of this place before today. I wouldn't shop here, but I'd go look around. I'm not one to spend money like that.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ♥
Oh MY! How incredible! Isn't it amazing what we, as humans, can do??! Such extravagance!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE macarons!! Well...any of the French pastries will do...but I love the subtle flavor of macarons.
Thanks for the explanation of macarons and macaroons. I too thought they were the same thing. So did you try an eclair or a macaron? What a cool looking mall! I would definitely have to visit there and try an eclair or share one with hubby. I'd probably be staring a lot with my mouth opened wide amazed at all to see. I haven't really been to any "good" malls just the ordinary type ones but one day I want to go to Mall of America in Minnesota. I hear that's a great one!
ReplyDeleteLoved all the names you suggested for the wee one! Great idea about going with a foreign name of endearment!
betty
WOW! That's some pawsome mall. Granny has seen a lot of malls, but never one so beautiful as this one <3 Pawkisses for a Happy Day🐾😽💞
ReplyDeleteI would enter this, and NEVER come out. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful mall I've seen is yours in your photo. Oh my gosh. I'd love to see that in person. And, know what else, I want an eclair!
ReplyDeleteWOW that place looks amazing. I can't say I've ever seen a beautiful mall like that one before!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing the photos! I did not realize that that macaron and macaroons were different either, my daughter loves macarons, lol. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
Well, what an utterly fabulous post. I have visited Paris but have never heard of this place before today. Your photos are amazing and you have taught me the meaning of Eclair and the difference between Macaron and Macaroon. Thank you for a lovely article. #GlobalBlogging
ReplyDeleteOh! my that LQQKS amazing and fascinating and all those fab pastries and macarons yum :-)
ReplyDeleteHave an architectoraltastic week :-)
How did I not visit this place when I was in Paris? We will just have to go back. And thanks for the macaron/macaroon tutorial. I learned something today!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place, I'd never heard of! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLove the dome and the delicious looking goodies! I haven't eaten yet today and I'm drooling! Thanks for linking up at NanaHood my friend!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Paris three times and have not yet been there. I will have to check this out next time I go. I did not realize how grand it is!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
Oh wow that is stunning..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
I don't think I've ever been to a pretty mall. A mall that has a lot of stuff in it - I have been to that. Mall of America for sure. I love the treats! I'd want to gobble them all up.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fabulous place! Maybe just rich people know about it and that's why it's such a well-kept secret :) I could spend a whole day there just taking photos of the beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the reason for their name, eclairs have always been a favorite of mine. I'd go crazy trying to make my selections, so many to choose from :)
I enjoyed your post at 'My Corner of the World' so much this week!
My Corner of the World
I knew when I clicked your link on the image-ing blog hop it was going to include Galeries Lafayette! That's one of my favorite stores in Paris! It is absolutely an experience unto itself. And it is especially worthy of a visit during the Christmas season! It was so fun to learn about the meaning of the word eclair; who knew?! But it makes perfect sense! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Mandy
Well, I think I gained a couple of pounds just looking at the images of the pastry. The architecture of the dome is truly spectacular. Thanks for sharing both with us today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
That is beautiful. And the pastries look so good.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mall! I think I'd gain 10 pounds before I got out the door. All that wonderful food.
ReplyDeleteI don't really remember walking around and shopping there but I do remember looking up in awe at that amazing dome! It was stunning and I have several photos of it (and I recognized it right away when I saw it linked up at the Wonderful Wednesday party!).
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ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place! I'd love to go there someday. And I never knew the difference between macaron and macaroon until I read it here, so thank you for sharing this bit of information.
Thank you for joining us for our #ww bloghop this week.
Thank you so much for this walkthrough... that mall ceiling was amazing and those food pics...heaven. The best I can recall being in is one in Dubai but that was 20 years ago and I am sure they have far better ones today.
ReplyDeleteMy first time here and I love your site.
Godyears.net
Oh my goodness, that is absolutely beautiful! Definitely one for the bucket list. And those cakes look incredible too! #thatfridaylinky
ReplyDeleteThis is such an impressive shopping mall, I would be spending my time looking at the building and not buy anything. #GlobalBlogging
ReplyDeleteI want some sweets.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com