[Europe] Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, Angélina, & Palais Garnier

It was our second day in Paris. We had a plan to shopping at Galeries Lafayette. Galeries Lafayette is a huge department store in Paris. Ivan told me that i needed a whole day to shopping here. So, at 9 am we took RER E from Gare du Nord towards Haussmann - Saint-Lazare. Walked out from the station, we could see so many stores around. But we just kept going, and walked to Galeries Lafayette.

Before we reached Galeries Lafayette, we saw Printemps which located right before Galeries Lafayette. They had a beautiful decoration at that time, so we took a picture for a while.

Printemps is a famous place for shopping luxurious brand. It has 2 branches in Paris. First at Boulevard Haussmann, and the second at Carrousel du Louvre. There are some brands that you can find here such as Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, etc.

Fendi in Printemps

After we got what we wanted, we continued our shopping time to Galeries Lafayette. Galeries Lafayette has three buildings : Galeries Lafayette Homme (for men), Galeries Lafayette Maison, and Galeries Lafayette Hausmann.

Source : www.traveltoeat.com

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is our main destination. This is the biggest among the three other places. You can find a variety of luxury brands here, such as Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Chanel, etc. On the ground floor, it's a paradise for make up lovers, including me. All make up brands in the same place, with a complete collection. I spent half day to explore that area.

If you are a shoes addict, you might be like to go to the -1 floor. You can find any a wide range of your favorite shoe brands. LK Bennett, United Nude, Yves Saint Laurent, all at the same floor. Anyway, when I was there, it was a summer sale season. At this floor, I saw almost all the brands provide up to 50% sale.

Actually, Galeries Lafayette is great place for shopping. As a tourist, you also can get a 12% Tax Refund. However, the place is too crowded. There are so many tourists from China shopping here. I didn't see any local peoples shopping here. All Asian peoples. Therefore, they hire Chinese peoples to work as a Sales Assistant. When I was shopping here, I didn't feel like I'm in Paris, I even feel like I was in China.

After shopping, we went to Angélina for had some dessert. Angélina is a famous tearoom on Rue de Rivoli. However i went to Angélina at the 1st floor Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. Their specialities desserts and L'Africain Hot Chocolate.

I ordered Mont-Blanc Framboise and L'Africain Hot Chocolate. One word to describe : amazing!! The Mont-Blanc Framboise taste so good. I like the chestnut cream on top. The texture and the flavor was so perfect. My favorite part is the vanilla crème, mixed with raspberry. It's buttery, and little bit sour from the raspberry make it more delicious.

The L'Africain Hot Chocolate taste different with the ordinary chocolate drink. The chocolate is really thick, and not sweet. Even it tends bitter. Actually, i never like bitter chocolate. But at this Hot Chocolate, the bitterness tasted really good. Especially when i mixed it with the whipped cream that they serve.

In front of Angélina

After enjoy the delights at Angélina, we continued our trip to Palais Garnier. Its located just across the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. However, before we reached the front of Opera, we saw Galeries Lafayette Maison. So we decided to take a look for a while.

Palais Garnier seen from Galeries Lafayette

At Galeries Lafayette Maison, you can find any food and famous pattiseries sells desserts and macarons such as Pierre Herme, Jean-Paul Hevin, and many more. They also have a supermarket at the -1 floor. However, my tummy still full after eat at Angélina. So i just buy a box of Jean-Paul Hevin's macaron.

Counter for take out foods

supermarket

So this is the time for Palais Garnier. Palais Garnier is probably the famous opera house in the world. It becomes the symbol of Paris such as Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, etc. Many people go to here only for take a picture in front of the building, just like us. However, I liked the ambience of the afternoon here. I saw a lot of peoples spent their time by sit at the cafe, and talked with their family and friends. This is a good spot for enjoy your afternoon.

Printemps Haussmann
64 Boulevard Haussmann,75009 Paris, France
Phone : +33 1 42 82 50 00
Website : http://www.printemps.com/
Opening hours :
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat : 09.30 - 20.00
Thu : 09.30 - 21.00
Sun : 11.00 - 19.00

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
40 Boulevard Haussmann,75009 Paris, France
Phone : +33 1 42 82 34 56
Website : http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/
Opening hours :
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat : 09.30 - 20.00
Thu : 09.30 - 21.00
Sun : 11.00 - 19.00

Angélina
1st floor of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Phone : +33 1 42 82 82 93
Website : http://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/
Opening hours :
Mon - Sat : 09.30 - 19.00

Palais Garnier
8 Rue Scribe,75009 Paris, France
Phone : +33 1 71 25 24 23
Website : https://www.operadeparis.fr/en