Shopping
in Paris
Paris
is a shopper's dream, of course, and the fashion conscious 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.
Les
Halles
Les
Halles offers a subterranean shopping centre with more than 180
stores, connected by a maze of escalators and walks. If you can survive the
long walk, it is possible to find low budget copies of Parisian
chic fashions and other trendy clothes here.
Galeries
Lafayette
and Printemps
Two
of the most famous rivals, Printemps
and Galeries
Lafayette, may be
found side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th
arrondissement, carrying designer, brand name and private label
merchandise.
For
a pleasurable and mainstream shopping experience,
shoppers should visit the huge famous department
stores of Paris.
La
Samaritaine
(closed 2006
for refurbishment)
La
Samaritaine,
located in the 1st between Les Halles and the Pont Neuf, 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
Le Bon Marché,
the only Left Bank (7th arrondissement) department store, earns
top marks from both shoppers and food lovers, with its adjoining
food halls and roof garden.
Saint
Ouen Flea Market
One
of the most renowned places to find treasures in Paris is at the flea
market. Paris has
three main flea markets of ancient descent, situated around the
old gates of the city. The origin of the name refers to the
cast-off clothes of royalty which were commonplace in centuries of
old, teeming with the little insects. No longer the haunts of
flamboyant gypsies and petty crooks of literary tradition, they
are nonetheless still a place where you should particularly guard
against pickpockets. Entertaining in every respect, they are a
good source of bargain treasures if you go early enough (between 5
a.m. and 6 a.m.), before the massive influx of shoppers.
Bookshop,
Shakespeare
& Co.
Bookworms
will find most books in Paris to be somewhat expensive,
particularly foreign books. However, one of the most charming
fixtures in Paris consists of the rows of bookstalls perched
against the parapet of the Seine River, known as les bouquinistes.
Many
a connoisseur of ancient tomes has been able to find a
particularly valuable first edition, given an appropriate degree
of patience and a seasoned knack for bargaining. For general
French titles, the largest and most convenient shop is the FNAC
in the Forum des Halles. Two of the better-known English-language
bookstores are Brentano's
(2nd arrondissement ) and Shakespeare
& Co. (5th).
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. Shopi
offers the facility to build your shopping list online, and G20
even offers home delivery (5€ for purchases over 60€, free
delivery over 120€).
Nevertheless,
traditionally-minded Parisians still prefer to buy much of their
food from specialty stores, such as bakeries (boulangeries),
butcher shops (boucheries), cheese shops (fromageries), 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.
For
economic reasons, many Parisians like to patronize the open-air
markets, which can be found throughout the city. We've assembled a
list
of some of the most popular markets purveying produce, flowers,
clothing, pets, stamps & postcards, etc.
According to Pariscope, "In a
single week, you can go to fifty-eight different markets in Paris.
Historians say the first market appeared in the Ile de la Cité in
the 5th century." (Note that most outdoor markets are open
for limited hours, usually between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. — and never
on Mondays.)
Whether
you envision buying half of Paris, or simply enjoy the wealth of
window-shopping opportunities, Parisian shops are an integral part
of the city's cultural identity, and make it the ultimate
destination for the discerning consumer. Those fortunate enough to
be visiting at the beginning of January or the beginning of July
during the sales, may take advantage of substantial discounts,
ranging between 30% and 50% on clothing, shoes, accessories, and
furnishing fabrics. Almost all retailers can provide you with a
"détaxe" form, to claim a refund on the 18.6% sales tax
if purchases exceed a certain level; this form should be presented
to customs upon leaving France, and you should expect your refund
within about six weeks.
Some
of the better-known emporiums of Haute Couture and jewelry
include: Cartier
(8th), Celine (8th), Chanel
(1st & 8th), Chaumet,
Christian Dior (8th), Christian Lacroix (8th), Piaget,
Yves Saint Laurent (16th), and Van
Cleef & Arpels
(8th).
Sadly,
the Champs-Elysées has degenerated into a neon strip of fast food
chains, banks, airline offices, malls, and cinemas aimed squarely
at the tourists. Exceptions to this trend are the Guerlain
Parfumerie, with its turn-of-the century elegance and its curved
staircase, as well as the neo-classical Virgin Megastore, a
mammoth retail haven for recorded music.
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