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You’re in Paris for Christmas! Now . . . where to shop? Forget Les Halles: too crowded. Oubliez Champs Elysées: too touristy. Here are 10 places to get your credit card warmed up. Happy shopping!
1. Rue de Rivoli
Though some of my friends think it’s too close to the Halles experience, I like to grab a buddy and get my shopping done on rue de Rivoli. There are tons of great shops and plenty of cafés in the neighborhood for when you need to take a breather.
2. Montmartre and the 17th
Montmartre is all done up this time of year, and you can pick up your touristy classics while you take in the famous monument. Get your miniature Eiffel Towers, postcards and T-shirts galore, then head over to the 17th Arrondissement for some boutique shopping at Anne et Marion:
Anne et Marion
58, rue des Dames, in the 17th.
3. Department Stores
You can always go to Printemps or Galeries Lafayette, but I find them overwhelming. If you’re brave enough, hit these two stores for all the goods, from fashion to flatware!
Galeries Lafayette
38, rue de la Chaussée d’Antin, in the 9th.
Printemps
102, rue de Provence, in the 9th.
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4. For the ladies
In a pinch, I head to Kookaï, Naf Naf or Les Petites—they haven’t let me down yet! For more basic/classic items, I’m a fan of Mango. Zara sometimes has cute accessories and scarves, but I wouldn’t recommend their sweaters, which tend to shrink, or their shoes, which are of poor quality for the price.
5. For the guys
Celio and Uniqlo are options that won’t break the bank. I like Gap better, but find it’s a bit cheaper in the States for the same quality.
6. For the cooks
Kitchen Bazaar is a great place to get fun accessories. There’s also David Lebovitz’s site, jam-packed with recommendations for great shops.
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7. For les coquines
If you’re on the lookout for some classy intimates, Princesse Tam Tam has some beautiful choices! If a trip there gives you sticker shock, check out Etam, which is a bit more affordable.
8. For the shoe fiend
Repetto is the absolute best for shoes. Hands down. Most comfortable, best quality—you really can’t beat it! Minelli and San Marina are also great and have prices that my budget can work with.
9. Passy
Rue de Passy, in the 16th Arrondissement, is packed with shops, and there’s really something for everyone—Promod for the teenyboppers, Esprit, Sinéquanone, Gap, Kookaï and tons more for the big kids. Basically it’s loaded, and you could spend a whole afternoon here!
10. Private Sales
The My Little Paris blog will let you in on all the latest private sales (in French, though the sale invitations are easy to find). And for more than just clothes, try NGR. At NGR they say you need to make an appointment, but in all honesty, I’ve just shown up randomly; with a little sugar, they’ll let you stay!
Bonus tip: Don’t forget to bring home some goodies like Mariage Frères tea and Ladurée macaroons.
Shannon grew up in Wisconsin. Then she moved to Paris and turned into a poop-humor-loving, frog-teasing toddler all over again. Well, maybe she was always like that, but it’s definitely gotten worse. Read more about her regression at JNSQ.
Editor’s note: There are special hotel deals to be had for Christmas and New
Year’s—please consult our Book It guide.
Tags: boutiques, Christmas, France, gifts, Holidays/Events, Paris, Shannon Vettes, Shopping, travel, women
Le Bon Marche is surely the ONLY Paris department store that’s actually pleasant at this time of year (or, for me, at any time of year). Right now it’s especially lovely due to the weird conceptual window displays attracting crowds of children and adults watching the little rubber-band landscapes decorated with random (almost) priceless jewels to pop up and down.
Ah shopping in Paris, is there anything better?