Coupole of Le Printemps - Restaurant and Tearoom - Rated 4,5

The Coupole of Le Printemps Haussmann built in 1924 and listed as a Monument Historique, has just been restored to its former glory. A successful facelift thanks to decorator-designer Didier Gomez who, while modernizing the restaurant room just below (the largest in Paris, 1200m2, 400 covers), was able to preserve the beautiful roundness.

The Coupole of Le Printemps Haussmann

Among the most visited domes in the world are the Pantheon in Rome and the Printemps in Paris. This architectural feat is the fruit of the collaboration of three iconic artists: Ferdinand Chanut for the geometry and structure, Jacques Grüber for the stained glass and Louis Majorelle for the ironwork.

Today's stained-glass windows take the form of an immense flower made up of 10 beams, totalling 1,000m². The Coupole of the Printemps is a must-see when visiting Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann near-by.

The Coupole of Le Printemps Haussmann, built in 1923

In 1908, in response to the success of Le Printemps, a new building opened new galleries on the corner of Rue Caumartin and Rue de Provence, directly connected to the older store by a basement. And it's precisely at the top of this building that you'll find this architectural masterpiece, listed as a historic monument! The sixth floor of the Printemps Femme building in the 9th arrondissement is lit by a huge stained-glass dome dating from 1923.

The design of the Coupole of Le Printemps - a master piece of Eugène Brière

Designed by master glassmaker Eugène Brière, the dome rises to a height of 16 metres and has a diameter of 20 metres. It features numerous flower and leaf motifs in shades of blue and orange, as well as small touches of yellow and green on the elongated leaf motifs that rise to the top of the stained-glass windows.

The Coupole of Printemps during WW2

In 1940, the stained glass dome was completely dismantled and stored in the basement of a warehouse in Clichy-la-Garenne, near Paris, to protect it from the risk of bombing. This dome has been through a lot! It was separated into 3,185 panels before being put into storage. Stored for several years, it was then reassembled after many decades! It was finally Brière's grandson himself who supervised the restoration of the dome in 1972, based on the original plans that the family had kept.

Renovations to the Cupola of Le Printemps Haussmann 

In the spring of 2021, the famous Cupola will complete its renovation, bringing to an end a major project lasting more than two years.

The Coupole of Le Printemps Haussmann and its unique and inimitable architecture, will appeal to those who wish above all to visit Paris and discover the city's architectural prowess. La Coupole du magasin du Printemps is as much a monument as it is a department store.

Printemps Haussmann store layout

Today: Le Printemps Haussmann is organized into 3 buildings: Printemps de la Femme (9 sales levels), Printemps Beauté Maison Enfant (7 sales levels) and Printemps de l'Homme (11 sales levels). over 45,000 m2

• a surface area of 45,500 m2, divided into 3 buildings and 27 floors
• over a million different items on sale
• 40,000 visitors a day (and up to 100,000 over Christmas)
• 7.5 million visitors a year, including 20% from abroad

The new Printemps Coupole: the roof for a huge restaurant and tea room

The Coupole du Printemps, on the 6th floor of the Femme building, is home to the Bleu Coupole restaurant and tea room. A successful facelift thanks to decorator-designer Didier Gomez who, while modernizing the restaurant's dining room (the largest in Paris, 1200m2, 400 covers), has managed to retain its beautiful roundness. The best place? At the epicenter, at the luminous bar, under a monumental helium-filled chandelier. The best time? Avoid peak hours. Prefer the opening, alone, before embarking on a shopping spree.

Bleu Coupole is the name of Printemps Haussmann's new restaurant and tea room, which opened on March 19, 2022 and is located under the dome on the 6th floor of Printemps Femme.

Forget the dark brasserie that used to be there, make way for the restaurant next to the bay windows, which reveals a lovely panorama of Paris and several privatisable terraces, with Elvira Masson's fine dishes on the menu to start things off.

The to-day Bleu-Coupole restaurant - a totally different atmosphere

While the majestic dome, a superb work of art deco, remains the same, the place has undergone a metamorphosis. The 6th floor now feels like the beach. The Brasserie that once occupied the center of the space has disappeared to make way for swimwear and other summer clothing and accessories.
To discover the Bleu Coupole, you'll have to go to the left of the arrival area, along the bay windows to enjoy the light we all love so much. To match the atmosphere, the restaurant takes on a beachside feel, with deckchairs and a pétanque court.
In a circle along the alcove windows, we discover numerous tables dotted around and several small outdoor terraces that are sure to please us this summer. Note that these terraces can be privatized. For the time being, the restaurant is only open to us during store opening hours, so you'll only be able to enjoy lunch, a drink or tea until 8pm (last order at 6:45pm).

Cuisine under the Printemps Coupole

In terms of cuisine, Bleu Coupole has decided to offer a made-to-measure menu that changes every 6 months. To begin with, Elvira Masson signs the menu, brilliantly executed by Chef Clément Blondeau. Author of the famous book "Dans ma cuisine", which proposes simple, easy-to-make dishes at home, Elvira offers us many dishes from her book at Printemps.

Starters include spicy mayo-gribiche eggs, a delicious green salad (a nod to Printemps' new identity), lentil and skate salad, and leeks with marinated egg vinaigrette.

Main courses include Halloumi Roasted Vegetables, Trout and Beet Gravlax, delicious Chakchoula Verte and Fregola Sarda with cockles and sausage.

We end on a sweet note with the regressive Lemon posset (a lemon cream, meringue and shortbread), the regressive Rice pudding or the poached pear with Bissap for the wiser in search of lightness.

Other Printemps Haussmann restaurants

Note that Printemps Haussmann also has other rooftop terraces: Printemps du goût on the 7th and 8th floors, and Perruche on the 9th floor of Printemps Homme.

For the "7e Ciel" restaurant, go to the 7th floor of Printemps Femme, just above the Bleu Coupole restaurant.