Paris · 9th arrondissement · Free viewpoint
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop: Paris's Best Free View
A free rooftop terrace on top of the famous department store, with a wide-open panorama over the Opéra district, the Eiffel Tower and the zinc rooftops of Haussmann's Paris.
By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·
Galeries Lafayette rooftop at a glance
Area: 9th arrondissement, Boulevard Haussmann, next to the Palais Garnier. Allow: 20–30 minutes. Entry: free — no ticket needed. Nearby: Palais Garnier, Printemps rooftop, the Madeleine.
The rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store is one of the best free viewpoints in central Paris. Unlike the paid observation decks, it costs nothing, needs no booking, and puts you eye-level with the Palais Garnier's stage house with the Eiffel Tower on the horizon.
What is there to see?
The terrace runs along the top of the main Coupole building, with a near-180-degree panorama. In the foreground rises the Palais Garnier — you look straight onto its stage house and green dome. To the west, the Eiffel Tower and the glass roof of the Grand Palais; to the north, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur; and all around, the grey zinc rooftops, chimneys and dormer windows that define the Paris skyline.
In the warmer months a seasonal bar and restaurant operate on the terrace, and the store often adds a pop-up installation or garden. Sunset is the most atmospheric time, but also the busiest — come earlier in the day for space at the railing.
Don't miss the dome downstairs
The rooftop is the free bonus; the building itself is the monument. On your way up or down, stop under the 1912 Art Nouveau dome of the Coupole — a 43-metre-high stained-glass cupola over the central atrium, with gilded balconies rising around it. At Christmas, the atrium's giant tree and the store's window displays are an attraction in themselves.
Planning your visit
Enter the main Coupole store at 40 Boulevard Haussmann and take the lifts or escalators to the top floor, following signs for La Terrasse. The nearest metro stations are Chaussée d'Antin–La Fayette (lines 7 and 9) and Opéra (lines 3, 7 and 8); Auber (RER A) is a short walk away.
The terrace is exposed: it can close in bad weather, for private events or when it reaches capacity, and it follows the store's opening hours. Check the official site on the day if the weather looks uncertain. The neighbouring Printemps store has its own free rooftop terrace a two-minute walk away — an easy backup, and the two views complement each other.
The rooftop in photos
What is nearby?
The Palais Garnier is a five-minute walk — visit its grand staircase and Chagall ceiling after the view. The Madeleine church, the covered passages of the Grands Boulevards and the Champs-Élysées are all within easy reach. See their locations on our Paris attractions map.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Galeries Lafayette rooftop free?
Yes. The rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store is free to access during store opening hours — no ticket and no purchase is required. Access can close for bad weather, private events or capacity, so treat it as a bonus stop rather than a guaranteed one.
What can you see from the Galeries Lafayette rooftop?
A 180-degree panorama over the zinc rooftops of the Opéra district: the Palais Garnier stage house in the foreground, the Eiffel Tower on the horizon, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur to the north, and the Grand Palais glass roof to the west.
How do I get up to the rooftop terrace?
Enter the main Coupole store on Boulevard Haussmann and take the lifts or escalators to the top floor, then follow the signs for the terrace (La Terrasse). There is no separate street entrance.
What are the rooftop opening hours?
The terrace follows the department store's opening hours, roughly 10:00 to 20:00 (later on some evenings), and is typically closed when the store is closed. Hours and seasonal closures change — check the official site before you go.
Is the rooftop open in winter or rain?
Not always. The terrace is exposed and can close in high winds, heavy rain or icy conditions, and it sometimes closes for private events. Have the dome and the store itself as a backup plan.
Can I eat or drink on the rooftop?
Yes, when the seasonal rooftop bar and restaurant are open — they operate in the warmer months with their own prices. You are also free to just enjoy the view without consuming anything.
Official sources
Reviewed September 2026. Terrace access, hours and seasonal closures change; check the official site before travel.