Edible Apple

Apple’s first Apple Store in France opened up for business this past Saturday in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping district, right in the heart of Paris.  The grand opening was a rousing success, with thousands of visitors reportedly coming from a number of countries for the event.

ifoAppleStore reports:

… There were at least 500 in line at 10 a.m. to examine the country’s first Apple store, which also provided a surprise glimpse of the new iPod touch point-of-sale (POS) device. The long, L-shaped Genius Bar on the mezzanine level attracted many early visitors to the store, who brought their laptop or iPod and were hoping for a quick solution. The remainder of the crowd was mixed between those admiring the store and many interested in a specific Apple product. Beyond the obvious success of the Louvre store grand opening, the event kicks off the second year of increased international growth for the chain. The economic downturn and the large number of existing stores has slowed growth in the United States. Apple executives have said nearly 50 stores will open in fiscal 2010, with “the majority” being outside the United States.

The Apple Store that just opened up is the first in a series of 3 planned Apple Stores in France.  A second store, located in Montepellier, is scheduled to open up for business on November 14th, with a third store tentatively planned near the Opera Garnier scheduled to open up sometime next summer.

You can check out photos of the grand opening over here, courtesy of ifoAppleStore.