Eye Prefer Paris Does Christmas

When it comes to the war of Christmas window one-upping, no one does it better than the two behemoth Parisian department stores, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.  Situated right next door to one another on Boulevard Haussemann, it is quite simple to take in each store's yearly creations and form your opinions of who outdid who.  I am leaning towards the big GL as they made an attempt to stay somewhat holiday-ish.  Printemps went for all out glam--more a nod to New Years perhaps than Christmas.  When you're as old as I am and the holidays still feel magical, those cute little windows win out every time.

  Le Printemps

Galeries Lafayette

I found these photos on my friend Richard Nahem's blog.  Richard has done what so many of us wish we could do--pack his belongings and close up shop in his native New York to become a lifelong Parisian transplant.  He and his partner live in the Marais and Richard has taken his daily life offering it up to tourists through his company Eye Prefer Paris.  With an incredibly thorough knowledge of his neighborhood, he will play host to an afternoon of adventure and discovery that only someone living in Paris can provide.  He is charming company and while you visit museums, shops and most importantly, chocolate shops along the way in a search of the best chocolate, he will unfold the colorful history of the Marais like no one else.  By the end of your tour you will feel like you have been friends forever and probably will be.  Check out both his blog and website.  

 

Additional information:  

Printemps

64, boulevard Haussmann

Metro:  Havre Caumartin

Galeries Lafayette

40, boulevard Haussmann

Metro:  Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette

Photo credit:  R.Nahem@eyepreferparis