It doesn't matter if you plan on buying half of Paris, or simply enjoy the wealth of window-shopping opportunities, Parisian shops are a part of the city's cultural identity. Whether you are interested in picking up a few souvenirs at one of the large department stores, adding to your designer wardrobe or finding a terrific bargain at the city's famous Flea Markets, Paris is a shopper's dream.
From the sophisticated St. Honore area to the eclectic Marais, Paris has shopping districts to suit everyone's taste, with thousands of intimate specialty shops. In the Marais, with its winding medieval streets, you'll find kosher butcheries, chic boutiques and even traditional bakeries thriving side by side and if you start at the Rue des Francs Bourgeois, you can enjoy a fascinating afternoon.
Haute couture and jewelry from some of the most famous designers in the world can be found on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, with top quality shoes, bags, and leather goods found on Rue du Cherche-Midi and Rue du Grenelle.
For a different and less expensive shopping experience, check out the large department stores Paris is so known for, including Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann featuring designer, brand name and private label merchandise. The only Left Bank department store, Le Bon Marche is popular with both shoppers and foodies with adjoining roof garden and food halls.
One of the more charming fixtures in Paris to visit, especially for book lovers, are the rows of bookstalls perched against the parapet of the Seine River, known as Les Bouquinistes. If you like books, you can spend a long time browsing through the selections. But if you're looking for books in English, check out Brentano's or Shakespeare & Co.
One of the most renowned places to find treasures in Paris is at the flea market. Most of the flea markets are open only on the weekend, but the Marche d'Aligre is open during the week and well worth a visit. Considered one of the city's most interesting markets, it is both typically Parisian and well supplied with goods with numerous Asian and North African shops located around the market. Do this in the morning, because almost all the flea markets of Paris close about 1 pm and if you get there too late, all the good things will be gone.
Like many Europeans, Parisians still prefer to buy most of their food from specialty stores, such as boucheries (butcher shops), boulangeries (bakeries) and fromageries (cheese) shops. 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. And what could be more delightful than picking up a still warm loaf of French bread, some cheese, pâté and a bottle of wine and having a picnic in one of Paris' beautiful parks?
Established in 1886, Fauchon, 26, place de la Madeleine, is one of the world's leading gourmet food and specialty companies. The ultimate in French gastronomy, today the Fauchon brand signifies authenticity, quality and innovation. It's a beautiful store with lovely displays of their products and worth a visit. Many of their products would be perfect for gifts to bring back home, such as gourmet mustards, preserves, wonderful honey and other French gourmet items.
Most retailers in Paris 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.