Shopper's Delight

Whether one envisions buying half of Paris, or simply enjoys the wealth of window-shopping opportunities, Parisian shops are an integral part of the city’s cultural characteristics, and make it the crucial destination for the discerning consumer.

Paris is a shopper’s dream, of course, and the “glitterati” will feel quite at home in the Haute Couture shops found on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement. Top quality shoes, bags, and leather goods are the province of Rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Grenelle in the 6th. Truly trend-setting fashions may be seen in the shops on Rue Etienne Marcel and Place des Victoires bordering the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Some of the better-known emporiums of Haute Couture and jewelry include – Cartier, Celine, Chanel, Chaumet, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Piaget, Yves Saint Laurent, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Paris is a paradise for shopping; there is no doubt about, for rich and for poor, Paris is the place. Everywhere one turns there are colors, textures, shapes and scents.The most luxurious and therefore expensive shopping streets in Paris are the rue du faubourg saint-honore, where the glitterati of Paris fashion has to be found.For the younger generation les halles is the place, where many of the city’s most innovative designers are also located. Lately, the avant-garde design found in a new location - the area behind the Bastille. Rive Gauche is the place to go for a wide selection of designer shopping’s (rue du Four, Rue de Rennes) and some good discount stores.Another must see is the buying rage in the Marais, oldest part of Paris, with cute streets crammed with wonderful boutiques, imaginative gift shops and the most mouth watering delis in the capital.

For a pleasurable and mainstream shopping experience, shoppers should check out the plethora of colossal department stores in Paris. Two of the most famous rivals, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, may be found side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann, carrying designer, brand name and private label merchandise. La Samaritaine, is a five-store complex which prides itself as the one where “on trouve tout”. Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville - BHV, located in the 4th, is better known for practical commodities, such as furnishings, do-it-yourself supplies, lighting and auto parts, though they do stock a decent selection of clothing and accessories. Le Bon Marché, department store, earns top marks from both shoppers and food lovers, with its adjoining food halls and roof garden.

There are a growing number of supermarkets to be found throughout the city, catering to the changing pace of Parisian lifestyles. These types of grocery stores are referred to by various names, such as superette (a really small version), supermarché, or hypermarché, and they include brands such as ED, Franprix, Leader Price, and Monoprix. In addition to dairy, produce, grocery, household staples and toiletries, most of these stores also carry a selection of wines and some other spirits. Nevertheless, traditionally-minded Parisians still prefer to buy much of their food from specialty stores, such as bakeries butcher shops, cheese shops, etc. A decided advantage to shopping at most specialty stores is that the bread, pastries, cheese, or pâtés have been created on the premises with the loving care of skilled artisans.