Paris is synonymous with haute couture, high fashion and luxury. If you’re planning a last–minute flight to the French capital and shopping is your thing, you won’t be disappointed.
This is a cathedral to shopping. Originally a Haussmann period building, it was redesigned in 1906 to reflect the mood of a 19th century oriental bazaar.
Its ornate, glass–domed roof towers above rails of all the leading fashion brands, its gilded columns separating departments dealing in jewellery, cosmetics, designer wear, bridal dresses, lingerie and menswear.
Even if shopping leaves you cold, the building itself should be enough to draw you through the front door.
Near the Champs-Elysees, is an area bordered by Avenue Montaigne, Rue Francois 1er and Avenue George V, this is a luxury ghetto, packed with the outlets of major designers; Luis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Hermes and the rest.
But shopping in Paris is not all about expensive designer labels. A maze of chain stores and small outlets are found in the underground Les Halles shopping complex on the site of the city’s former food market.
For exotic handcrafts, furnishings and niche boutiques visit La Marais. There are also a host of flea markets dotted around with almost anything on sale from antiques, bric–a–brac to cheap clothes, including the vast Marche aux Puce de Saint Ouen and the more manageable –.
Of course, shopping isn’t the only draw if you’re planning a last–minute flight to Paris – there’s so much more to see here. Check out more of our Travel guides to Paris for more information.
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