Stained Glass Domes: Paris’s Galeries Lafayette Cupola and Modern Designs

Stained-glass architecture has long been admired for its color and light. From medieval cathedrals to grand civic buildings, artisans have crafted soaring domes and cupolas of colored glass. In Paris one famous example is the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store, whose ornate glass dome impresses visitors much like the Eiffel Tower. Travel writers praise its interior as “of such exquisite beauty” that a first glimpse “will be forever etched upon your memory”. In fact, Galeries Lafayette’s stained-glass cupola is called “an emblem of Art Nouveau” and ranks among Paris’s most iconic landmarks. This article explores the history and features of the Lafayette dome – and shows how the Taj team can create similar custom glass domes for new projects.

The Lafayette Dome: History and Design

Completed in 1912, the Lafayette cupola was designed by master glassworker Jacques Grüber in a richly decorated Art Nouveau (neo-Byzantine) style. It soars about 43 meters above the floor (nearly 140 feet) and immediately bathes the store below in colorful light. The stained-glass panels form a giant floral motif: ten petal-like segments spanning roughly 1,000 m² of glass. With its gilded ironwork balconies (by Louis Majorelle) and glowing center, the dome has become a masterwork of Parisian architecture and a must-see for visitors.

Key features of the Lafayette dome include:

• Master Artist: Designed by Jacques Grüber (École de Nancy) in 1912, blending Art Nouveau curves with Byzantine color motifs.
• Huge Glass Surface: The cupola’s ten colored-glass segments form an “immense flower” spanning ~1000 m².
• Grand Scale: It rises 43 m above the floor, so light filters down through seven stories of merchandise.
• Iconic Symbol: The dome is a protected historic feature – one travel guide notes it now sits alongside the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe as a Parisian landmark.

Over time, conservators had to preserve the dome with great care. During World War II, crews dismantled the entire structure—numbered each piece, packed everything, and stored it safely to protect it from bombing. Paris didn’t suffer major hits between 1940 and 1944, but the chaos of the war still caused several glass panels to disappear.

After the war, restoration teams replaced the missing sections with clear white glass, which is why today’s colors differ slightly from the original 1912 palette. In recent years, Galeries Lafayette brought in France’s leading glass artisans, Maison du Vitrail, to restore the cupola. Their team replaced all 1,000 m² of Grüber’s glasswork and refinished every lead support.

Even now, specialists remove select panels at night for cleaning so the store can stay open during the day. This careful, hands-on approach ensures the dome keeps shining for decades to come.

Modern Art and Light: A Rainbow Cupola

The Lafayette dome still captivates visitors. In Spring 2023, it turned into an art installation. Korean artist Kimsooja covered the glass with a special film that diffracts sunlight into all the colors of the rainbow. The result, titled To Breathe, turned the cupola into a constantly shifting field of light and color.

Many commentators said this renewed spectrum echoed the dome’s original stained-glass beauty. For the first time in decades, the glass glowed again and revived the “multitude of colorful hues” Jacques Grüber had created.

The project shows how a stained-glass dome can act as a living canvas. It also explains why buildings inspired by the Lafayette cupola continue to fascinate architects and the public today.

Custom Stained Glass Domes by Taj Team

Inspired by Paris’s grand example, the Taj team creates bespoke stained-glass domes for clients worldwide. We work directly with you on theme, colors, and size: whether you love Art Nouveau flowers, geometric patterns, or any custom motif, our designers sketch out the vision. Skilled artisans then hand-cut and assemble each panel with lead and solder – the same traditional techniques used by Grüber’s workshop. We also handle engineering and installation so your dome is safe and durable. The end result is a custom architectural centerpiece that bathes your space in warm, colored light just like the Parisian original.

Why commission a dome with Taj Team?

We offer:

• Bespoke Design: We tailor the art to your space – from classic floral cupolas to modern abstractions. Our team guides you through pattern, glass selection and color.
• Master Craftsmanship: Taj Team’s artisans have decades of experience. Each dome panel is cut and leaded by hand for beauty and strength (similar to historical restorations).
• Full-Service Build: We manage the entire project – design, engineering, permits and installation. For example, like Lafayette’s project, installations can be done with minimal disruption (often at night).
• Proven Quality: Our domes use top-grade glass and framing, ensuring longevity. In fact, one Paris guide notes the Lafayette dome is “one of the most visited monuments in Paris” – we aim to make your installation just as enduring.

For architects and property owners searching online for “custom stained-glass dome,” the Taj Team stands out as a leading example. Our portfolio showcases these elegant structures inspired by heritage designs. If you want to echo the Galeries Lafayette cupola, the Taj team can help. If you prefer a new style, we can shape that vision too.
Contact the Taj team to discuss your stained-glass dome. Colored glass has a jewel-like quality, and even a small amount can transform a building.