SHOPPING

FASHION

French fashion designers have been at the pinnacle of the industry almost since it's beginning in the international arena. Designers such as Christian Lacroix, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurant and Cardin are certainly considered to be leaders of this glamorous industry. Whether you're looking to invest in your next Dior gown or just want to window shop, shopaholics will enjoy a visit to these exclusive boutiques!

Paris has also attracted other internationally acclaimed fashion labels from all over the world. The list includes Kenzo from Japan, Versace and Armani from Italy, most of which are located on Avenue Montaigne near the Champs-Elysées, and Rue du Fauborg Saint-Honoré near the Elysées Presidential Palace.

For those of us without fortunes to spend shopping for designer clothes in Paris, the famous department stores of the city are worth a visit if only to take in the atmosphere.  Head for the Boulevard Haussman, near Garnier Opera. Also worth a browse are the Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps for tableware, furniture and other home wares, plus perfume, fashion and lingerie.

FRESH PRODUCE

Clothing and fashion aren't the only shopping experiences available in Paris!  Food lovers and people- watchers will enjoy a visit to the open air food markets, which in Paris are as old as the Middle Ages!

Not only can you find an endless assortment of fresh meats, colourful fresh vegetables and fruits and amazing pastries, cakes and real French cheeses, the surrounding streets are always filled with cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy sampling French cuisine.

Some of the best produce markets include the Rue Mouffetard near the Panthéon, the Rue Montorgueil, close to the Les Halles metro station and the Rue de Buci.

FLEA MARKETS

"Le marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen" is a famous flea market in Paris that has been around since 1885. This old marketplace covers an impressive six hectares of space, and in the fifties and sixties, it was the place to buy antique furniture at very low prices. Many a brgain was to be had, if you knew what you were looking for.

These days, you're unlikely to find real antique bargains but shopping lovers will still enjoy browsing over 2000 shops selling everything from clothes, furniture, jewellery and old French advertising posters! The atmosphere of this place is worth the visit in itself.

Open from 10am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, its best reached by the line 13 Metro at Garibaldi station.

You can learn more about the French culture sharing with people, a good way to do that is getting a París rental.