The only Parisian department store with an Art Nouveau dome 43 metres up, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann has just installed its Christmas tree for this year’s holiday season, and for the first time it’s entirely made of paper!

We went down to take a few photos and try out the ‘augmented reality’ experience they have on offer this year (either bring your own smartphone, or they will lend you an iPad)…

And don’t forget you can get the best out of Christmas in Paris with our family offer at the Baume, a delicious afternoon tea at La Belle Juliette or a massage and champagne at the Dames du Panthéon!

The Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the work of artist Lorenzo Papace, in collaboration with paper manufacturer Arjowiggins.

Papace has also created the store’s twelve animated window displays (photos coming soon), also made form recycled paper. The preparatory models for these are going to be sold at auction, with all the money going to the non-profit organisation Wild Touch, also behind the photo exhibition Antarctica by Luc Jacquet (director of March of the Penguins) being held on the roof of the building.

The Christmas tree in the main building also has a virtual reality experience you can try out on the second floor of the store – that’s the third floor for our American friends ?. Just download the free app for iOS or Android, get in position on the stand, and you’ll see the entire place fill up with swirling snow and cute paper polar bears!

So here are a few photos of the Christmas tree! Our photos of the window displays are coming soon…

Christmas 2016 is in full swing at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (here)!

Until 24th December, they are open every day of the week from 9.30am-8.30pm, except Sundays (11am-7pm)

Website: haussmann.galerieslafayette.com

Facebook: facebook.com/galerieslafayette

Twitter: twitter.com/Galeries_Laf

Instagram: instagram.com/galerieslafayette

Coucou @lebonmarcherivegauche, il parait qu’il neige chez vous? ❄️ Il neige aussi Rive Droite! #GaleriesLafayette #NoelExtraPolaire #RealitéSuperposée #Skyboy #Snow #IlNeigeRiveDroite

A video posted by Galeries Lafayette (@galerieslafayette) on Nov 10, 2016 at 3:21am PST