FX.co ★ World’s five most beautiful department stores

Galeries Lafayette (Paris)

The Galeries Lafayette department stores can be found throughout Europe. However, the most famous of them is its flagship on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris. Many famous artists worked on the building, including Ferdinand Chanut, who supervised much of the design, known for its domed glass ceiling and Art Nouveau-style staircase. Today, this store is officially recognized as the most beautiful in the world. No wonder it is the second most visited attraction in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Milan)

Located between two Milanese architectural landmarks – the Duomo and La Scala theater – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is as impressive as its famous neighbors. The shopping center, designed by the renowned Italian architect Giuseppe Mengoni in the second half of the 19th century, has a cross-shaped layout and an unusual vaulted roof made of glass and iron. But what impresses visitors most is the interior decoration of the building: the walls are adorned with frescoes and stucco, and the floor depicts the coats of arms of Milan, Rome, Turin, and Florence.

Harrods (London)

Today, Harrods, located in the heart of the British capital, is one of the largest and most fashionable shopping centers in the world, although initially it was just a simple grocery store. Currently, there are 300 departments, 20 restaurants, a beauty salon, and a bank on its premises. The main decoration of the department store is the so-called Egyptian Hall, opened over a hundred years ago. In it, you can see sculptures of sphinxes, reliefs depicting life in Ancient Egypt, and characteristic wall paintings of that time.

Bon Marché Department Store (Paris)

Designed by architect Louis-Charles Boileau and engineer Gustave Eiffel, this store rightfully claims to be the world's first department store. Bon Marché opened its doors to visitors in 1838, and in 1984, it was purchased by the company of French businessman Bernard Arnault. Today, the shopping center is part of the LVMH conglomerate and is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. The most striking and memorable element of its interior is the unusual white escalator located in the center of the store.

El Palacio de Hierro Department Store (Mexico City)

This shopping center was the first building in Mexico City constructed of iron and steel. It is for this reason that the store received its name. Notably, El Palacio de Hierro translates to "The Iron Palace". The structure was designed in the Art Nouveau style by French architect Paul Dubois and adorned with a stained glass ceiling created by Jacques Gruber, the same artist who created the glass dome at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris.