Let’s get in the mood for Christmas …

Taking into account that this years holiday windows at Parisian department stores have been unveiled in early November I guess I am not sharing some great news. But anyway for me the Parisian Christmas windows are always such a great thing to catapult you into the Christmas spirit that I simply have to share some impressions with you.

christmas windows 2014

Christmas facade at Printemps Haussmann, Paris in collaboration with the British trench coat maker Burberry. Can you spot the little boy flying with his umbrella from London to Paris, picture CKM Printemps Haussmann, Dec 2014

Let’s start at Printemps, maybe the most exclusive Parisian department store, on the right bank at Boulevard Haussmann. Since 2008 they do animated window displays for which they collaborate with a different brand each year. It all started in 2009 with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, continued in 2010 Lanvin, in 2011 with Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel, in 2012 Dior was the official partner, 2013 we had the Prada teddy bears and this year its the 6th time the department store collaborates with a fashion brand in order to create the windows as well as a Christmas themed pop up store in the basement of the Printemps Mode building. Burberry was chosen as a partner and created the windows around the story of a little boy traveling from London to Paris for Christmas.

Christmas windows 2014

One window at Printemps Haussmann Paris depicts the boy crossing the English Channel in an umbrella, pic CKM Printemps Haussmann, Vitrines de Noël 2014

Christmas windows 2014

Another scene shows a girl band dancing on the rooftop of Printemps Haussmann, Paris, pic Vitrines de Noël 2014 at Printemps Haussmann, Paris

Christmas windows 2014

Besides the window installations Printemps collaborated with Burberry on a pop up store selling Christmas goddies like snow globes and teddies, pic Burberry pop up shop inside Printemps Mode, Paris

Christmas windows 2014

Burberry Christmas tree inside Printemps Haussmann, pic Printemps Mode, Paris

The Printemps neighbor Galeries Lafayette opted for a monster theme for its 2014 holiday campaign. With an upside down Christmas tree installation underneath its art Nouveau cupola as well as some witty animated windows it is another must see on Boulevard Haussmann.

noel monstre

The witty monster Christmas windows at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris – my personal addiction are the little monster present packages, pic Vitrines de Noel Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris

Monster Christmas

The upside down Christmas tree under the Art Nouveau cupola of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

As much as I adore the Christmas spirit on Boulevard Haussmann, I have to admit that it feels slightly more NYC or London than Paris. For everyone, who is in town around Christmas checking out Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche for the truly Parisian Christmas experience is highly recommendable.

Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

Le Bon Marche rive gauche went for a reindeer theme for Christmas 2014, pic Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, Paris

Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche Paris

Inside Gustave Eiffel’s beautiful Art Nouveau building a simple and elegant ceiling decoration blended perfectly well with the golden escalators, pic Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, Paris

christmas decoration

Guess I wouldn’t be brave enough to decorate my Christmas tree like that but the bug theme was really fun, pic Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

Noel rive gauche

I really loved these reflections, pic Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, Paris

Do you like strolling along the streets during Christmas time and getting inspired by the beautiful window displays? What’s your favorite city during pre-Christmas time?