Shopping in Paris

Around the Champs-Élysées, in the Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré as well as at the Place des Victoires, haute couture shops are lined up one after the other.

The Galeries Lafayette, a noble department store that opened in 1894 and still impresses with its magnificent glass dome, is also well worth a visit. Designer fashion is available as well as exquisite food. Finally, Paris is also considered a gourmet paradise.

Another shopping highlight is the department store Au Printemps. Opened in 1864, this temple of consumption offers expensive and inexpensive designer fashion, accessories and furniture. Its Art Nouveau leaded glass dome on the sixth floor is also a must-see. Inexpensive fashion and trendy items can also be found in the Latin Quarter on Boulevard Saint-Michel.

Don't miss the flower market on the Ile de la Cité. It is one of the largest flower markets in the French capital and is as much a part of the cityscape as the street artists who sell their portraits around Notre Dame. By the way, it is also worthwhile to get to know the two islands around Notre Dame by bike or to sit at the bank of the Seine and watch the passing ships. Paris can be very tranquil and quiet here.

Around the Place de la Madeleine you will find some of the best delicatessens, whether it's champagne, chocolates or tea.

In the first arrondissement, on the site of the former market halls, lies "Les Halles", a shopping and leisure centre considered the largest in Paris. Those who want to swim or watch a movie come here as well as shopping or gourmet lovers. In the immediate vicinity is the enormous church "Saint-Eustache". The five-nave Gothic church is reminiscent of Notre-Dame and is home to numerous side altars. By the way, one of them was designed by Keith Haring.