Paris Shoppers Delight: An Insight

Milan is the only European city that can compete with Paris when it comes to fashion and shopping. Top designer stores can be found on avenue Montaigne, rue du Faubourg-St-Honore and Place des Victoires. On the Left Bank, is the area around St-Germain-des-Pres, which is a mecca for small shops and boutiques. Place Vendome and Les Halles have dozens of jewellery shops and trendy boutiques. Stores around the Marais have innumerable gift shops and clothing stores.

Food and flea markets (also known as marches aux puces) are a tourist’s delight as this is where you can, and are expected to bargain. Every neighbourhood has at least one and the Marche aux Puces de St-Ouen, north of Paris is the largest in Europe. Smaller flea markets (on weekends only), take place at Porte de Vanves and Porte de Montreuil.

For gifts, you could try the prints at some of the secondhand booksellers or bouquinstes. These are available along the banks of the Seine. Another popular option is state-of-the-art home decorations. Wine shops, French perfumes, gourmet food shops and chocolates vie for the remainder of your holiday budget.