Paris department stores open their secret backstage spaces this September weekend
What if this September weekend gave you access to doors that millions of visitors have never opened? The Paris department stores are taking part in the 2026 European Heritage Days on 19 and 20 September, offering exceptional tours of spaces normally closed to the public. A rare chance to see these buildings in a whole new light.
Temples of commerce turned monuments of Parisian heritage
Since the 19th century, Paris department stores have held a singular place in the history of the capital. Far beyond their commercial function, they transformed the way people shop while establishing themselves as genuine architectural masterpieces. Monumental glass roofs, sweeping staircases, ornamental ironwork and refined interiors: each building tells a story that hurried shoppers rarely stop to read.
Over the decades, these institutions have accompanied Paris through its many transformations without ever turning their backs on their heritage. Yet much of that heritage remains little known, hidden behind the spectacular window displays and iconic domes visible from the street. The 2026 Heritage Days offer an unprecedented window onto these discreet spaces.
What visitors will discover during these exceptional open days
Depending on the tours organised by each store, visitors will gain access to spaces that are normally off-limits. The itineraries on offer will explore the history of the buildings, the secrets behind their construction, their remarkable decorative details, and the behind-the-scenes workings of their day-to-day operations. Each visit is a distinct experience, shaped by the individual identity of each department store.
For anyone passionate about architecture, urban history or heritage, these two days represent a genuine opportunity. These tours go well beyond an aesthetic stroll: they reveal how these establishments have shaped the commercial and cultural face of Paris.
The Paris department stores on the programme for 19 and 20 September 2026
Three major retailers are taking part in the 2026 edition of this cultural event. Each offers a specific approach, rooted in its own history and architecture.
- Printemps Haussmann is opening access to secret spaces normally closed to the public, through guided tours across both days.
- Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is offering guided tours that weave together history, architecture and anecdotes, in keeping with its status as a symbol of Parisian heritage.
- Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées is organising exceptional guided tours to showcase the spaces of this department store, the most recent of the three participants.
Each of these three addresses embodies, in its own way, what Paris department stores represent within the urban and cultural landscape of the city.
A weekend to see Paris differently
Heritage Days are a major cultural fixture every year. In 2026, the opening of these iconic stores’ backstage spaces continues that tradition, offering a fresh perspective on places we think we already know. Because visiting a Paris department store as a shopper and exploring it as a heritage visitor are two radically different experiences.
For those who want to extend the exploration beyond the department stores, other temples of fashion and luxury in Paris are also taking part in the 2026 Heritage Days that same weekend of 19 and 20 September. The secrets of the couture houses are waiting for curious visitors ready to venture inside.
