Retail delights await round every corner in the City of Light.
For unique and trendy goods, hit the Marais. If traditional French names are more your style, head to St. Germain or to rue St. Honoré for luxury items. If you’re after one-stop shopping hit one of the department stores to peruse a large selection of brands in a limited time.
Department Stores and Shopping Areas
PRINTEMPS
64 blvd Haussman / 01 4282 5000 / www.printemps.com
Next door to arch-rival Galeries Lafayette, Printemps offers a somewhat calmer and more sophisticated shopping experience. A special “luxury floor” offers big name brands and their shoe department offers a wide range at all price points. Separate buildings for menswear, beauty products, and home wares.
LE BON MARCHÉ
24 rue Sèvres / 01 4439 8000 / www.lebonmarche.fr
Paris’ first department store and still the most elegant, the Le Bon Marché offers an on-the- pulse selection of upscale French and international designers. Le Grande Epicerie (gourmet grocery store) behind the main store offers premium foodie gifts and pique-nique goodies.Shopping Areas
GALERIE VIVIENNE & PALAIS ROYALE
Entrances at 6 rue de Petits Champs & 4 rue Vivienne
This elegant glass-covered passage has welcomed shoppers and passersby since the 1820s. Peruse a wide range of boutiques or just stop by to admire the architecture. Faves include Natalie Garcon (no. 15) for women’s clothes, Casa Lopez for rugs (no. 39), Librarie Jousseaume (no. 45) for great old books, and Si Tu Veux (no. 68) for toys.
Nearby former palace Palais Royale (Map D2) is home to a splendid garden and shops hidden under romantic stone arcades. On the rue de Montpensier side, check out Martin Margiela (nos. 23 & 25) for deconstructionist men’s and women’s fashions and Marc Jacobs’ (no. 34) first boutique in the City of Light. Opposite, on the Galerie de Valois side, stop into La Petite Robe Noire (no. 125) for the perfect little black dress and Les Salons du Palais Royale Shiseido (no. 142) for perfumes exclusive to this boutique.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE
A gilded imaginary triangle shapes the area with the most exclusive shops in Paris—come here to shop for couture and ready-to-wear luxe goods, including: Celine (36 av Montaigne / 01 5689 0792), Dior (30 av Montaigne / 01 4073 7373), Jean-Paul Gaultier (44 av Georges V / 01 4443 0044), Balenciaga (10 av Georges V / 01 4720 2111), Hermes (24 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré / 01 4017 4600), Christian Lacroix (73 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré / 01 4268 7900), Yves St. Laurent (30 men’s & 38 women’s rue du Faubourg St. Honoré / 01 4265 7459), Dior Homme (25 rue Royale / 01 4073 7373), Gucci (21 rue Royale / 01 4494 1470), John Galliano (384 rue St. Honoré / 01 5535 4040).
THE MARAIS
Uber-trendy neighbourhood and the place to find up and coming designers and art galleries. For fashion and accessories, walk along the rue des Francs Bourgeois and the streets that radiate off of it. For art galleries, head north on the rue du Vieille du Temple and nearby side streets (rue Charlot, rue de Poitou). This is also one of the few areas in town where the shops open on Sunday (usually after 2pm).Fashion
AGNES B
6 rue de Jour / 01 4508 5656 / www.agnesb.com
The epitome of the classic Parisienne look, Agnés B.’s high-quality clothing has a retro/timeless quality. Also check out the luggage, children’s, and men’s shops further down the street.
ANTIK BATIK
18 rue de Turenne / 01 4478 0200 / www.antikbatik.fr
Cultivating an elegant, ethnic look for the bourgeois bohemian crowd, Antik Batik does embroidered tunics, funky bags and accessories for hip young men and women. Cameron Diaz is a fan.
BENSIMON AUTOUR DU MONDE
8 rue des Francs Bourgeois / 01 4217 1618 / www.bensimon.com
Offering clothing in natural fabrics and a wide range of muted colours, Bensimon also carries a line of artsy knickknacks such as bed linens, candles, and pillows. The canvas trainers have a cult following. Menswear at No. 8.
CACHAREL
64 rue Bonaparte / 01 4046 0045 / www.cacharel.fr
Quirky florals and kitsch but sexy dresses and blouses define the Cacharel style. The rue Bonaparte boutique has recently been redone with a mod white interior to showcase the bright, colourful clothes for women and children.
CHANEL
29-31 rue Cambon / 01 4286 2800 / www.chanel.com
The address of the original Chanel shop, come here to admire the legacy of Coco herself, even if you can’t afford to buy. Best bets if you are on a budget? Sunglasses or a piece of costume jewellery bearing the double C logo.
DIDIER LUDOT
Jardins du Palais Royale / 24 Galerie de Montpensier / 01 4296 0656 / www.didierludot.com
Owner Didier Ludot sells marvelous vintage couture treasures (Chanel, Dior, Hermés) from this boutique. Walk across the gardens to peruse his own creations at his 2nd shop (La Petite Robe Noire) chock full of little black dresses.
L’ECLAIREUR (HOMME)
12 rue Mahler / 01 4454 2211 / www.leclaireur.com
Let the chic, friendly staff help you discover the best in men’s avant-guard fashion design. The theatrical, industrial setting showcases up & coming designers (including Mrs Mudd by John Malkovich) as well as big-name labels. (Women’s at 3ter rue de Rosiers / 48 87 10 22).
LOUIS VUITTON
101 av Champs Elysées / 01 5357 5200 / www.louisvuitton.com
One of the reasons that the « Champs » is enjoying newfound appeal, the 7-story gilded LV headquarters showcases Vuitton clothing and leather goods. Go early or late to avoid the large queue, or just gape at those window displays.
REPETTO
22 rue de la Paix / 01 5332 8484
Cult address for French dancers and all wannabe ballerinas since the 1940’s. Pick up a pair of “ballerines,” in classic baby pink or fashionista favourite, flashy silver. The boutique also carries tutus, leotards, and the ever-popular cache-coeur (wrap) sweaters.
SABBIA ROSA
73 rue des Saints Peres / 01 4548 8837
This colorful mini-boudoir boutique holds a treasure-trove of luxe silk lingerie and dresses. Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss shop here, choosing from a wide range of quality pieces.
TARA JARMON
18 rue du Four / 01 4633 2660 / www.tarajarmon.com
Canadian designer Jarmon has done a good job infiltrating the ranks of other young Parisian designers with her sexy retro classic dresses, skirts and separates. The timeless appeal of Jarmon’s pieces make this a great place for a special-occasion outfit.
VANESSA BRUNO
25 rue St. Sulpice / 01 4354 4104 / www.vanessabruno.com
Fashioned for slender twenty- and thirty-somethings, these pieces are modern, comfortable, and tasteful in a soft, muted palette. Bruno’s “cabas” handbag has been a cult item for years.Homewares
ASTIER DE VILLATTE
173 rue St. Honore / 01 4260 7413 / www.astierdevillatte.com
A modern twist on French country ceramics, the chalky white tableware here is a great addition to your table. Other finds include bistro glassware, funky home accessories and assorted bric-a-brac by new young designers.
BLANC D’IVORIE
104 rue du Bac / 01 4544 4117
Elegant home décor shop, and the place to buy furniture, linens, and arts de la table in a subtle rainbow of colours that ranges from grey to beige to white.
SENTOU
26 blvd Raspail / 01 4549 0005 / www.sentou.fr
Fresh and modern French design knickknacks and furniture from the house brand and from big interior design names.Books & Records
ASSOULINE
35 rue Bonaparte / 01 4329 2320 / www.assouline.com
Combining literature and fashion in a way only the French can do, the publishing house sells gorgeous glossy livres alongside luxe limited-edition gift sets, library-scented candles, and lovely tomes on art, fashion, and design.
SHAKESPEARE AND CO.
37 rue de la Bûcherie / 01 4325 4093 / www.shakespeareco.org
A mainstay for English writers and readers in Paris, this crowded bookstore has hosted many expat writers, from the Beat Generation to today. Peruse the crowded shelves or lounge about with a book upstairs.
FNAC
74 av Champs Elysées / 01 5353 6464 / www.fnac.com
The largest and most wide-ranging collection of music and books with a small section of books in English. Stop by here for electronics paraphernalia or to bring home some mainstream French tunes.Gifts, Jewellery & Accessories
BRONTIBAY PARIS
6 rue de Sévigné / 01 4276 9080 / www.brontibay.fr
Stop by this Marais boutique to snap up creative, colorful leather and canvas bags, wallets, and accessories designed by a French-Australian husband and wife team and made in France.
CALLIGRAINE
4 & 6 rue Pont Louis Philippe / 01 4027 0074
One of the beautiful papeteries on this short street, selling exotic papers from India or Italy and très chic office supplies.
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
8-40 rue de Grenelle / 01 4222 3307 / www.christianlouboutin.fr
The signature red soles of these shoes (and their appearance in the last episodes of “Sex in the City”) make them instantly recognisable. The red and white gem of a boutique is a great showcase for these sex kitten chaussures.
COLETTE
213 rue St. Honoré / 01 5535 3390 / www.colette.fr
Colette still reins as one of the must-do stops of many a fashion editor. Trendy and limited edition knickknacks and sneakers, exclusive make-up brands, the latest designer duds, hip cds and books, and even a water bar in the basement make this place well worth a visit.
EDITIONS DE PARFUM FRÉDÉRIC MALLE
37 rue de Grenelle / 01 4222 7222 / www.editionsdeparfums.com
Malle, a perfume “editor”, has created a tasteful, if dark, shop for his original scents, created by one of the brand’s nine famous noses. The well-informed staff will help your find your scent after asking you specific questions about your perfume tastes. For men and women.
FABRICE
33 rue Bonaparte / 01 4326 5795 / www.bijouxfabrice.com
A made-in-France brand sine 1962, the mother and daughter team behind Fabrice create original chunky and colorful jewellery pieces. Bold styles, hair raising prices.
FIFI CHACHNIL
231 rue Saint Honoré (in the courtyard) / 01 4261 2183 / www.fifichachnil.com
Lingerie designer Fifi presents her vast array of pin-up model lingerie in this bon-bon pink boudoir. Stop by to pick up a “Cabaret” corset to do your own French can-can.
LOBATO
6 rue Mahler / 01 4887 6814
A selection of the hottest names in Italian & French footwear (Pierre Hardy, Bruno Frisoni, Michel Vivien, etc.) presented in a sophisticated walk-in closet sized shop. Store owner Miguel claims to test out all the shoes for comfort before he will sell them in his boutique.
JAMIN PUECH
68 rue Vieille du Temple / 01 4887 8487 / www.jamin-puech.com
Focused on craftsmanship, detail and creativity, Isabelle Puech and Benoit Jamin, see the purse as a work of art. The duo creates over 100 new models a year (with very few examples of each style), combining unique details such as embroidery, beadwork, etc.Markets