Forum Les Halles

 

metro stop: Chatelet-les Halles, Line 4 and 14

 

 

 

 

Les Halles offers a subterranean shopping centre with more than 180 stores, cinemas, etc. 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. 

 

Shopping in Paris is, for many, an indulgence. 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. 

 

 

Printable Paris Metro Map

 

Paris STREET map (pdf tourist map of Paris)

 

 

Decide on Paris sector/ area by magnifying up to 400% and then print on current view. The map includes street names, Paris attractions and metro stations.

 

 

Paris METRO map (pdf)

Paris RER map (pdf)

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

The FNAC

 

metro stops: Chatelet-les Halles, Line 4 and 14, also metro stop: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Line 1 or 9]

 

 

 

The Fnac is a very large music department store in Paris. The two biggest music stores in Paris are FNAC (which has several branches, including a huge store at Forum Les Halles) and the Virgin Megastore on the Champs-Elysées.  FNAC also has a pretty big store on the Champs-Elysées close to the Virgin Megastore, which makes for easy one-stop shopping at both stores. (The Carousel du Louvre Virgin Megastore location is tiny and skippable.)

 

 

 

 

Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

 

metro stop: Chaussee d'Antin La Fayette, Line 7

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville 

 

(BHV rue de Rivoli) 

 

metro stop: Hotel de Ville, Line 1 or 11

 

 

 

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

 

metro stop: Sèvres-Babylone, Lines, 10 or 12 or metro stop: Vaneau, Line 10

 

 

 

 

Le Bon Marché, the only Left Bank (7th arrondissement) large department store, earns top marks from both shoppers and food lovers, with its adjoining food halls and roof garden.

 

 

 

Saint Ouen Flea Market

 

(Marché aux Puces) 

 

metro stop: Porte de Clignancourt, Line 4

 

       

 

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.

 

metro stop: St Michel, Line 4

 

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.

 

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.