Printemps

More focused on luxury brands than the Galeries Lafayette, the French department store Printemps carries high-end beauty products, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and more. 

The chain has several locations around Paris, but the store on Boulevard Haussmann is my personal favorite.

The store’s façade has been declared a historical monument and the panoramic rooftop view of the Paris skyline is quite simply glorious.

As for the shopping, the customer service is exceptional, and with several floors of high-fashion styles, you could spend days getting lost in gorgeous garments. When shopping here, I like to take a break for lunch at the Brasserie Printemps, both for the food and to admire the exquisite stained glass dome overhead.

The neighboring Printemps building houses men’s clothing and another restaurant, this one up on the roof.

To avoid making multiple elevator trips in search of this rooftop repos, politely ask one of the security guards posted at the buildings’ entrances before heading up.

After a short elevator ride and a few steps up the escalator, you’ll be treated to a beautiful 360-degree view of Paris.

With the picture-perfect corners and vistas and views of both the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Coeur, you’ll quickly forget that your credit card just took a major hit.