French history and traditions: behind the scenes of the Christmas windows in Paris

For the festive season, Paris shines with a thousand lights, with its decorations, its big Christmas trees, its markets and its Christmas windows, in a magical atmosphere. Speaking of Christmas windows, do you know their history and how they came to be so indispensable? Nowadays, they're a real rendez-vous for families, where people marvel at imaginative creations.

Classic, magical or extravagant, Christmas windows display products but above all tell stories, like miniature theaters. The first window displays for the occasion were created by Le Bon Marché in 1909, before becoming a tradition and a marketing tool for Parisian department stores. By the 1950s, window displays had become so popular that a veritable rivalry had developed between stores. They had to compete with each other in terms of ingenuity, hiring specialists and creating the universe that would attract the most curious passers-by.

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At Galeries Lafayette, the window displays are prepared a year in advance and designed to make you want to go inside the store. Each year has a new theme, revolving around fantasy and magic, not forgetting winter. As works of art in their own right, window displays require the skills of scriptwriters, stage directors, architects and sculptors to stand out and appeal despite the passage of time.

And it's a tradition that's not likely to fade any time soon, as nearly ten million visitors come to admire them every Christmas! Find out more about this year's 2024 in Paris:

Christmas window displays at Paris 2024 unveiled! Discover the department store program
When do the Christmas window displays start, and where can you find them in Paris? From Printemps to Galeries Lafayette, discover what Parisian department stores have in store for us in the run-up to the festive season, to delight young and old alike! Bon Marché, BHV, Samaritaine - every year, we're delighted by the beautiful window displays that come alive to our delight. Whether you're with the family, the kids, your loved ones or simply your loved ones, this is a must-do Parisian Christmas stroll. [Read more]