Galeries Lafayette Glass Dome - Paris

The glass roof (dome) at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris is one of the most famous interior architectural features in the city. It’s formal name is La Coupole des Galeries Lafayette (“the dome.”)

It’s a huge stained-glass and iron Art Nouveau dome covering the main central hall of the es Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann. Completed in 1912, it was part of a major expansion of the store in the early 20th century. The idea behind it was to turn shopping into a luxury, theatrical public experience. 

Several major Art Nouveau luminaries collaborated: Ferdinand Chanut was the architect who designed the overall geometry and structure; Jacques Grüber designed the stained-glass panels; and Louis Majorelle designed the ironwork and other decorative architectural details.

The floral composition consists of 10 glass petals, about 1,000 square meters of stained-glass altogether. Light filters through in shifting colors, giving the store a golden, cathedral-like atmosphere. 

As an experience, it’s quite a Parisian bargain, as there is absolutely no charge to see this Art Nouveau wonder (after all, it’s a department store - just walk in.) As a bonus, you can walk up to the roof terrace for a magnificent and unobstructed  view of this most elegant part of Paris, seven stories above the Boulevard, and all for free.