From pariscitybreaks.com

Paris is the capital of fashion, gastronomy and le style francaise and so it is not surprise that Paris is the discerning shopper’s heaven (ooh er after New York). As the home of couture, inventor of the bra and the stiletto heel, the French capital is home to the showcase stores of all the world’s top designers (even foreign ones) - but the luxury on avenue Montaigne or rue du Faubourg-St-Honoré remains just a wee slice of what is on offer at 30,000-plus shops around Paris. Real Paris shopping is about the specialist boutiques, the often small, family-run food delis, stylish belle-époque department stores with rooftop views, and the many local markets that do not seem to have changed in over a century .

Sadly, in recent years many of the family-run fromageries, boulangeries, charcuteries and and all manner of little treasure troves have been closing their doors. So although the chain store world is quickly gaining a hold, the overall quality of Paris shopping remains very impressive, and almost everything, from a vintage bottle of brandy to a single beautiful button, is still lovingly served, wrapped and presented, whatever the store - supermarket or boutique.

Detailed and extensive debate is still very much part of the purchasing process in Paris, so prepare for the opinions of shop assistants and possibly other shoppers.

And dont miss the beautiful old-style arcades - such as the galerie Vivienne (2nd) or passage Jouffroy (9th) - make shopping a sightseeing pleasure as well.

Different areas have different specialities:

  • Antiques in the 7th
  • 2nd-hand / rare books in the 5th ( there were once the publishing guilds here).
  • Crystal and porcelain manufacturers still dot rue de Paradis in the 10th,
  • Furniture craftsmen on rue du Faubourg-St-Antoine,
  • Jewellers can be found on place Vendôme.
  • Street style and lifestyle outlets live in the Marais and around rue Etienne-Marcel,
  • Quirky newcomers settle in Abbesses or near Canal St-Martin.
  • Designer labels are scattered over the 1st, 6th and 8th.
  • Specialist enclaves include bikes and cameras on boulevard Beaumarchais.

Most shops open from 10am-7pm Monday to Saturday, with small shops and specialist boutiques closing for an hour at lunch. Sunday shopping is no longer frowned upon, but is not as common as in the UK. Small corner grocery stores open late for essentials. Many family-run concerns close in August.

No shopping trip would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s extensive flea markets, the only place where haggling is still de rigueur and cash, not plastic, is the payment of choice.

Our Paris Shopping List

Here is our list of favourites and the unmissable:

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