Travel Stories
Hello fellow shopinistas, I hope you will enjoy reading this article below about shopping in Paris, with a little culture mixed in. I’ve focused on my personal favourite shopping area, the Marais. Everyone who visited me while I was living in Paris loved it too, so I feel pretty confident it would be a hit with you as well.
Paris
While Bangkok is my favourite shopping city, Paris is my second. I love the area of the Marais specially on Sunday. When most elsewhere in the city is shut tight, the Marais is alive.
Sunday in the Marais
For me the ideal Sunday would be spent strolling the streets of the Marais with a break for lunch at the Las Falafel. If falafels are not for you, brunch is very popular in the area too. Keep in mind it is not like an North American style brunch. You will be served a little platter with a combination of items, it’s not a buffet. If you do go to Las Falafel, let me warn you that it looks a bit scary but the falafels are out of this world. You will be reassured by the long line out the door and down the street. Don’t be tempted to go to another falafel stand/restaurant, this is the one you want! I have yet to find a better falafel anywhere (granted, I have not been to Lebanon, yet) and for around 6 euros that’s a deal! Ummm, I’d love one now.
The Marais is filled with boutiques from upscale to very affordable. It’s a fun area to spend strolling in the afternoon. You don’t need a list of any particular streets or shops, just take Metro Line 1 to the St. Paul stop. The Marais is marked on the metro map as “Marais” below the official name St-Paul. Step out and admire the merry-go-round, cross the street and begin your adventure. Weave up and down the streets visiting the many shops.
When you’re finished strolling the streets of the Marais and if you are not too tired, stop at the nearby Pompidou, my favourite museum in Paris. Or just stop by the area (Beaubourg), take a seat in a café terrace and watch the world go by.
Personally, I think Pompidou is a must so if not after the Marais, make a special trip. It’s huge but the exhibits are broken into specific rooms so you can see just the exhibits you are most interested in without being overwhelmed. If you have time, go all the way up to the top to George (restaurant) it is an amazing view and if the weather is nice, have a coupe or glass of wine there, don’t bother with the food though, a bit pricey and not really worth it. There are a lot of cafes in the area (even a Starbucks!).
Areas near the Marais – Les Halles, Rue Rivoli
The Marais, Les Halles and Rue Rivoli all join and are fantastic shopping areas. You can easily spend morning until night walking these areas. There are many great shopping areas in Paris and the range couldn’t be broader, from flea markets to Haute Couture.To list a few of the others which are worth a visit:
Rue Montaigne
It is now the haute shopping street surpassing some of the other traditional streets (stop by the Canadian Embassy and salute Canada). There are also great restaurants here but they’re not on the cheap but nothing is in this area, bargains are elsewhere, this is high end.
Area around the Opera – Printemps, Galeries Lafayette
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you must go in and look at the ceilings in Lafayette, unbelievably beautiful!
Le Bon Marché
This is “the original” department store. It is a stunningly beautiful store, so beautifully merchandised. There is also a large international food market which is great to see even if you are not hungry, just look at how beautifully the French merchandise, even or especially the food. Everything is just so pretty!
Madeleine
Two of the big specialty food stores are here (Fauchon and Hediard) walk by the windows and see the artistry of the display.
Also while in the Madeleine area, do not pass up a coupe de champagne and a macaroon at Ladurée. There are two other locations including one on the Champs but this one is the original. Personally my favourite is the vanilla macaroon and I’m not usually one for vanilla anything, but this is anything but
ordinary. Also near Madeleine is a huge three level wine shop, Lavinia which is a must for any wine connoisseur.
Street Markets
It is wonderful to spend a morning wandering the markets like a real Parisian. Visit a cheese shop and marvel at the selection, pick up some flowers from a flower market or buy a bag of fruit to eat as you wander and a fresh pastry is a must.
Here are a few favourite street markets:
Rue Levis (in the 17th near Parc Monceau)
Rue Montorgueil (Beaubourg/Les Halles area)
Rue Mouffetard (5th)
Antiques
Head a little out of the way to the Saint Ouen Flea Market a must for any collector or admirer.
If you love hot chocolate, hot chocolate French style is the only way to go. It is pure melted chocolate with a pot of steamed milk on the side which you mix yourself. I had a girlfriend’s daughter staying with me for a couple of weeks in Paris and I thought she was going to become a diabetic from her new found obsession with the cocoa.
Where to find Starbucks (if you must, which you might):
Les Halles
Opera
Madeleine
Among several others
For Chocolate Lovers
La Maison du Chocolat
Simply the best chocolate in my opinion and at about a million dollars a nibble (okay so I’m exaggerating) you’ll want to savour every little bit.
The best way to see Paris is by foot.It is a spectacularly beautiful city, nothing comes close in my opinion. It has the best of everything and it should be seen from above ground.However when you spend hours walking in awe of the beauty, your feet are bound to be tired at some point.The Metro (subway) in Paris is fantastic.You can get to anywhere you want to go on the Metro and it is very affordable.Taxis are expensive and a pain but in the evening might be worth it, especially if the drive happens to go along the Seine.
Other Diversions
While you could spend your entire time shopping in Paris, don’t. It has the best museums in the world.The range is fantastic too, mammoth to intimate. My personal favourites, save the Pompidou are the smaller ones.
L’orangerie
L’orangerie which just reopened in 2006 after a four year renovation is not to be missed. It is a stunning exhibit of Monet’s water lilies. He painted them specifically for this space (it’s an infinity room). The 17 metre paintings brought tears to my eyes.
Marmottan Monet
If you are a Monet fan, there is another museum which is a little out of the way but well worth the effort. It’s called the Marmottan Monet. This museum is really dedicated to Monet’s work and there are so many large pieces of his work, they’re fantastic. Go to the lower level. Take a seat in one of the rooms and admire the work.
Petit Palais
I also recommend the Petit Palais, also just reopened in 2006 after four years of renovations. It was at the time free and may still be. There is generally a long line up but it’s worth it. Small but really beautiful inside, even if you are not into the art, the architecture is stunning.
Rodin
If you like garden’s there are two other recommendations for you. The Museum Rodin which has the Gates of Hell at the entrance, absolutely fascinating even if it is very dark. The museum is Rodin’s house and garden. The Thinker is there and a very popular “I was here photo op”. Inside the house you can see the moulds and different versions he was experimenting with to get the Gates of Hell among other sculptures just right.
Luxembourg Gardens
Another favourite garden and museum is the Luxembourg Gardens. There is almost always a photograph exhibition on the iron fence which surrounds one of the entrances. They are usually very provocative in some way and brilliantly done. The gardens are wonderful and there is a small museum which often has an exhibition on, you’ll need to check for the dates that you are there.
Making the museum experience more interesting
If you want to learn about the art, I highly recommend getting the audio handset, it can really make a difference in the experience and I think it’s well worth it.
Opera Garnier
If you can get tickets to Opera Garnier, anything will do but even better if it’s the ballet. If you can’t get tickets or do not have the time, visit the Garnier for a tour. It is very inexpensive and a not to be missed site. The entrance, stairs and the rooms are all stunning, and don’t miss the Chagall on the ceiling inside the theatre. If you do get tickets to a performance, you can act like a Parisian and during intermission, go up to the balcony which overlooks the square, don’t forget your coupe!
A word about the Opera Bastille
If you are interested in going to the theatre strictly for the performance, the Bastille is a wonderful theatre. But if you are looking for personality in the theatre, it’s not the one for you. It is a modern building.
Other Info
In your hotel you should be able to get a copy of Where magazine, it will tell you all the major events happening in Paris the month that you are there. Even better, go to the nearest Tabac (newspaper/cigarette stand) and ask for a Pariscope. Absolutely everything happening that week is in there from movies to free concerts in the churches (these are worthwhile if you have time). The Pariscope is published every Wednesday and is about 30 (euro) cents. Any other questions about the city, I’ll try to help, I think I could go on and on and on, you get the point. Post your question in the comments
Happy Exploring!
