Paris Shopping

Paris is known-world-wide as being the epitome of fashion. But the city of light offers way more than just the latest haute couture – here you’ll find some of the world’s best book stores, perfumes, housewares, and food gifts.

Paris Shopping Areas

Simply put, Boulevard Haussmann is a shopper's paradise. The buildings that house the department stores - Au Printemps, Marks & Spencer, Galeries Lafayette,  - are cathedral beautiful. The tree-lined street is an absolute pleasure to stroll down. Enjoy coffee shops and classic Parisian food when you need a break from shopping along this one and a half miles of prime retail. 

The Marais in East Paris is a charming neighborhood filled with historic buildings and quaint architecture. The gay-haven area is home to streets lined with boutiques filled with some of the most trendy clothing and accessories in the world for men, women, children, even dogs. The area is a little more eclectic and slightly more reasonable in price than the Boulevard Haussmann Department Store District. 

Saint-Quen Flea Market is so big that there are guided tours available to show you around. The flea market offers 2,000-3,000 stalls filled with unique and antique wares from the region.Tapestries, books, furniture, glass, china - and more. If you enjoy treasure hunting, this is an absolute must-see. The flea market is the largest in the EU, spanning over a square mile.

Paris Souvenirs

You'll be able to find Classic Parisian Souvenirs in most of the touristy areas of the city. Popular trinket items include the usual refrigerator magnets, keychains, small statuettes, and water globes that feature some of the famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre. You'll also find your fill of kitschy wine and cheese paraphernalia, such as decorative wine stoppers and cheese knives.

Other popular Parisian Souvenirs include clothing accessories such as berets, neckties, scarves, and bags. Maps and art prints from some of the city's many museums like Musee d'Orsay, the City Museum of Modern Art, and the Louvre.

Gourmet food gift items are a big hit for all of the foodies on your shopping list. There's no better way to share your Parisian experience with someone than to give them a sample. Consider jars of Dijon mustard or honey, cheeses, macaroons, spices, and bottles of wine. 

You'll find Places to buy Parisian Souvenirs throughout the city, especially near some of the major attractions. If you don't want to lug your common souvenirs around, there is a fairly decent selection of them at the Charles de Gaulle airport.

Paris Book Stores
 
Shakespeare and Company was named after a bookstore that once earned the name Stratford-on-Odéon from James Joyce due to all of the heavy-hitting English-speaking authors who hung out there. People like Ernest Hemingway, Man Ray, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald considered Shakespeare and Company a second home in Paris. You can pop into the store and browse the shelves crammed with English literature, or you can grab a title, settle in, and just read, hang out, and chillax. Shakespeare and Company is located directly on the left bank in the Latin Quarter, just a hop over the river from Ile de la Cite. The area is surrounded by coffee shops.

The San Francisco Book Company is a small, used books storefront in the Latin Quarter near St. Germain-des-Pres.The store is packed from floor to ceiling with reasonably-priced English books of all genres. This may be the perfect place to find a copy of a beloved out-of-print title, a rare first edition, or just pick something new up for an upcoming train ride or flight home.