Paris

Founded in 1838, Le Bon Marché was the first-ever department store. Tradition and prestige accompany this prominent retail establishment, the top destination for fashion and style. Designer apparel for men and women, cosmetics, accessories, jewellery, and houseware comprise the major departments. There is also an impressive food hall, which is definitely worth a visit.

Champs-Élysées is a charming and historic thoroughfare, famous worldwide for its upscale shopping options. The long avenue is lined with a mix of high-end and flagship stores of renowned international and French brands. Some examples of notable shops on or near Champs-Élysées include Cartier, Dior, Guerlain, and Louis Vuitton, together with a few malls such as Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées, Galerie des Champs, and Galerie des Arcades. Here you will also find an Apple store, a large Sephora for beauty enthusiasts and Zara, for more accessible and contemporary fashion. While Champs-Élysées is known for its luxury brands, you can also find a mix of other shops, cafés, and theatres along the avenue, making it a diverse and iconic shopping destination in Paris.

Located in the heart of Paris between the Louvre and Notre Dame, Westfield Forum des Halles is a vast shopping centre set on the former site of the historic Les Halles market, demolished in 1971. It is a bustling underground complex offering a diverse range of shopping experiences, including trendy shops, international brands, and independent boutiques. Beyond shopping, visitors can enjoy cinema screenings, dine at various restaurants and bars, and explore nearby streets like Rue Montorgueil and Rue Quincampoix for additional shopping and dining options. Once the city's Jewish quarter, Le Marais, in the 4th arrondissement, is now a hip area filled with trendy boutiques, art galleries, designer stores, vintage shops, and gay bars, making it a popular shopping destination in Paris with a unique and eclectic atmosphere. Place des Vosges is home to elegant arcades and the Musée Victor Hugo, where the renowned writer lived. Along the neighbourhood’s charming cobblestone streets, you will also find a variety of cafés, restaurants, and cultural attractions, creating a well-rounded experience for those exploring the area.

This is one of the city's most popular shopping areas, home to prestigious department stores such as Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. They are remarkable as much for the wide range of items sold as for their Art Nouveau architecture. You will find a world of ready-to-wear, with appealing boutiques and affordable brands. A good place to start is with a walk from the beautiful Opéra Palais Garnier down to the stores on Boulevard Hausmann.

Right off Rivoli is the beautiful Place Vendôme, where jet-setters and millionaires buy their jewellery. This is THE area for renowned Haute Couture and luxury goods. From here, you can enjoy a walk down to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, where the superb boutiques display their goods out of baroque windows.

Combining Paris's love of books with its passion for design, Artazart is a palace of coffee-table tomes, with everything from fashion and photography to illustrations and children's books. The small art gallery section also showcases works by local talents.

Paris is a goldmine for vintage clothing, but if you can only hit one spot, make it Goldymama. This small boutique is packed with well-preserved items from yesteryear, making it the perfect place to shop for 1950s skirts and suits, or indeed, the wacky 1970s shirts you have always wanted. If you are looking for truly unique gifts, look no further.

Indulge in the exquisite world of chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat, a renowned chocolatier selling rich and delicious treats. Each piece is meticulously coated, decorated, selected, and boxed by hand, using only the finest cocoas sourced from around the globe. From delicate macarons and fancy candies to mouth-watering éclairs and other pastries, the offerings are a testament to the artistry of chocolate craftsmanship.