Galeries Lafayette
Some of the greatest fashion labels - Christian Lacroix, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel etc. - rub shoulders under the superb dome of this Parisian department store, which celebrated its centenary in 1996... The men’s store in particular is the largest retail space in Europe devoted exclusively to menswear and accessories. There’s always more to the Galeries Lafayette than shopping: the store frequently organizes exhibitions, autograph sessions and fashion shows. With a variety of well-stocked sections - Lafayette Fashion, Sport, Gourmet, VO and Home - Galeries Lafayette really is a one-stop shopping Mecca, especially when it comes to Christmas shopping!
Carrousel du Louvre
It seems almost sacrilegious to consider housing a shopping complex in the basement of one of the world’s greatest museums, but that is exactly what has happened La Galerie du Carrousel du Louvre. There are 50 boutiques spread over 16,000 square metres specializing in fashion, music, beauty, games and hobbies alongside restaurants, parking and an exhibition space. Being part of the Louvre, services here are fantastic; wheelchair and pram hire, postal services, baggage storage and information booths in multiple languages will help smooth over any potential problems. And while some of the boutiques adhere to normal Sunday closing policy, the Virgin Megastore, at least, is open for business.
Les Forums des Halles
In existence since 1137, Les Forums des Halles must be one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Of course there have been a few changes since then. Formerly the city’s main food market, which was moved outside Paris in 1969, it wasn’t until 1979 that these pavilions were destroyed to make way for the beginnings of the present day incarnation. Now, this combined indoor and outdoor mall boasts a 50 metre pool, gardens, two cinemas, 24 hour parking and 19 restaurants. There are also prams available for use, information points and baby change rooms. Shoppers will find an enormous range of boutiques specializing in everything from fashion, home ware and beauty to jewelry, electronics, optics and games. The cinemas and some restaurants are open Sundays. As for clientele, Les Forums des Halles has become a central meeting point for the city’s youth. The atmosphere is vibrant if the area a little grubby. One point of warning though; Les Halles does attract some unsavoury elements so beware of pickpockets and late-night visits.
Passy Plaza
A neighbourhood shopping mall in the well-to-do, expat-heavy streets of Passy, this complex is a rather intimate, two-level space boasting just 26 shops within the covered, art deco style gallery. The stores, however, are anything but boutique. Among the list is Gap Kids, H&M, Zara, Grand Optical and Comptoir des Cotonniers, large chains all. There is also a supermarket, Inno, on the basement level. Services include two levels of parking, mall security, baby change facilities, toilets, elevators to all levels and phones. The centre is open everyday except Sunday until 19:30, though the parking remains open until 21:30. There is an in-centre cafe though the very local clientele seem to prefer relaxing at any one of the great brasseries and cafes dotted around the nearby neighborhood.
Usines Center Paris Nord 2
More a business park than a mall, this is nonetheless a great spot to come for those seeking a collection of bargain stores and factory outlets in the one locale within a short distance of metropolitan Paris. It is a budget buyer’s paradise and you’ll find Ikea, the shoe company Les Halles aux Chaussures, homeware store Pier Import, lingerie by Darjeeling, Villeroy & Boch, snow gear at Rossignol and children’s wear at Jacadi among countless other stores. Go to the online site for the full list of brands vending their out-of-season or end-of-line stock at incredibly cheap prices. As a purpose-built outdoor shopping complex there are almost 2,000 parking spaces, car washing facility and good disabled access. The centre is open seven days a week and until 22:00 on the weekends when most of the shopping traffic will flow through. When it comes time to eat be prepared for fastfood – in other words, those that don’t love Quick and McDonald’s may want to bring a packed lunch. This is the closest France comes to the huge, low-cost shopping plazas which America does so well.
Boulevard Haussmann
It’s not just the grand magasins of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps that call this 9th arrondissement address home; further toward the Arc de Triomphe homeware enthusiasts will find more than a few boutiques to hold their interest. Lighting stores, dedicated sofa retailers, custom furniture businesses and interior design specialists can all be located on the stretch between avenue Friedland and the metro stop Havre-Caumartin. Atmosphere, however can be a little lacking. This is really a business district so don’t come looking for quaint streets, an eclectic mix of people or romantic eateries.
Boulevard St Germain
So obvious a choice it almost doesn’t warrant inclusion. Nonetheless, no guide of Parisian shopping streets is complete without the mention of the famed boulevard St Germain. Perhaps it says something that – even though tourists flock here in their millions each year – it is still a space Parisians themselves are happy to claim. Near its beginnings on the border of the 7th arrondissement you can shop at Sonia Rykiel (01 40 49 00 84), enjoy an over-priced coffee at Le Deux Magots or wander the narrow alleys running off the boulevard which houses chic boutiques and interesting eateries when the press of the crowds becomes too much. Further down toward the 5th arrondissement the boulevard takes on a slightly less glossy feel. Here you’ll find cheaper kebab shops, less glossy (and less appealing) boutiques and a more student-heavy crowd.
Rue Mouffetard
Home to the young and stylish, the Rue de Mouffetard is universally considered one of the most ancient and lively of all Parisian streets. Sunday mornings are particularly colorful, with the street’s produce market in full swing and hordes of funky Parisians brunching and chatting up a storm.
Rue Poncelet
Between the German patisserie, Stubli (01 42 27 81 86), the gourmet hot dog stand of Epicurya (01 48 88 98 07), and the cool art deco surrounds of Le Dada cafe, rue Poncelet is precisely the type of permanent, open-air market street which attracts food-focused locals and tourists alike. Buying fresh produce from the amiable vendors is loads of fun. The beautiful fruits, cakes, savoury nibbles and scent of fresh-cooked paella will whet your appetite while the lively chat and bustling market-day feel will stimulate your sense. A fun morning out in an arrondissement of Paris which many dismiss as an area of little interest.
