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PARIS – The festive season in Paris officially began on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with the highly anticipated inauguration of the holiday window displays at the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store.
This year, the store has collaborated with renowned designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to create a unique holiday experience titled “Au cœur de Noël” (At the Heart of Christmas). The installation transforms the boulevard Haussmann into a pop-inspired fairy tale, featuring a whimsical array of fantastic creatures, animated scenes, and vibrant colors that define Castelbajac’s signature artistic style.
A Technicolor Christmas Experience
The window displays act as pages of a giant storybook, guiding visitors through a world where Christmas traditions are reimagined with humor and creativity. Highlights of the display include Santa Claus overwhelmed by a mountain of children’s letters, a forest princess selecting her tree, and a group of angels searching for a lost star, all culminating in a grand banquet scene.
The spectacle extends beyond the windows to the store’s facade, creating an immersive atmosphere for shoppers and tourists alike. Under the store’s famous Coupole, a giant, sculptural Christmas tree has also been installed, featuring colorful branches and fantastic characters, further enhanced by a light show designed by the Visual System collective.
Holiday Traditions Continue
The inauguration was attended by several notable figures, including Jean-Charles de Castelbajac himself, Adèle Castillon, and Sébastien Tellier. In addition to the window displays, Galeries Lafayette plans to reopen its popular rooftop ice rink on November 24, 2026, offering visitors a unique skating experience with panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower and the Paris skyline.
These festivities are part of a broader city-wide celebration in Paris, with various holiday markets and light installations opening across the capital throughout November.
