Christmas at Galeries Lafayette: plunge into Jeanne Detallante’s magical imagination

This year, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann unveils a more poetic Christmas than ever, thanks to the vibrant, fantastical universe of artist and illustrator Jeanne Detallante, invited to imagine all the festive decorations. With a passion for the decorative arts and architecture, and known for her collaborations with Carven, Prada and Miu Miu, she has created a season where the imaginary comes to life through window displays, illustrations and the mythical fir tree under the Coupole.

Jeanne Detallante: an artist at the heart of creation

“I was over the moon,” confides Jeanne Detallante, talking about this collaboration she’d been dreaming of for a long time. Her work began in the Galeries Lafayette archives, a place she describes as “vertiginous”, collecting almosta century’s worth of art, gift wrap, bags and packaging. From these graphic materials, she drew a renewed, modern universe, yet deeply linked to the department store’s heritage. The objective was clear: to illustrate Christmas while paying homage to the decorative arts. The result is a world that is playful, lush and deliciously retro-futuristic, where classic holiday codes are reinvented through her characters.

The showcases: a workshop full of wonderful creatures

This season, the shop windows of Boulevard Haussmann are transformed into enchanted scenes inhabited by the figures created by the artist. Her characters – elegant silhouettes, extraordinary animals and animated objects – seem to have escaped from her illustrations to take their place in a living setting.
His favorite showcase? The banquet, an architectural scene dominated by a sumptuous red moiré motif. All the characters are here: fantastic guests, personified decorations, living delicacies… An imaginary celebration that captures the very essence of Christmas, in all its generosity and brilliance.
Another highlight is Santa’s office. Here, Jeanne Detallante gives free rein to her imagination, creating a space that splits into two, filled with surprising machines, interior design elements and a wealth of details. A mischievous and inventive vision of the mythical workshop, which will amaze children and adults alike.
For the artist, the windows represent a powerful childhood memory: “We used to go and see them every year, and it was quite a thing. Christmas windows were the lights.” Today, she helps to perpetuate this tradition with a resolutely contemporary sensibility.

The monumental fir tree: the most beautiful of gifts

Beneath the department store’s emblematic cupola, the Christmas tree towers majestically, reaching a height of 25 meters to dominate the atrium and captivate all eyes. A veritable technical and artistic feat, it is adorned with illustrations by Jeanne Detallante and wrapped in carefully arranged airy ribbons, as well as endless fabrics that give it the allure of an immense gift. Miles of LED garlands complete the decoration, illuminating the tree and making visitors’ eyes sparkle at every turn.

A Christmas of heritage and imagination

By entrusting the artistic reins to Jeanne Detallante, Galeries Lafayette is renewing its tradition of inviting contemporary creation to dialogue with its heritage. Animated window displays, inventive characters and the Grand Sapin together compose a spectacular Christmas, where childhood, art and wonder meet. An enchanted interlude in the heart of Paris, to be experienced with eyes wide open.

📍 Practical information – Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

Address
40, Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Opening hours

• Coupole” and “L’Homme” stores: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Gourmet Shop: Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 9:30pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm.

Access / Transportation

• Metro: lines 7 & 9, Chaussée d’Antin – La Fayette station
• RER: line A, Auber station
• Bus lines 20, 21, 22, 42, 53, 68, 81, 95 serve the surrounding area.