Don’t Plan a Paris Shopping Trip Without These 3 Destinations on Your List

Paris may be the city of love, but it’s also known for its retail, too. Because France is home to some of the world’s finest cuisine and trendiest fashion houses, Paris vacations are incomplete without getting in a little bit of retail therapy. And while going shopping in Paris may seem like it’s only for the rich, it’s possible for all tourists to enjoy a bit of the good life if they know where to look.

Whether you plan to celebrate France’s 227th year of independence on July 14, 2016, or if you are looking forward to a trip by the end of 2015, there is something for everyone if your are searching for Paris shopping destinations. Check out our top picks below:

Get a Taste of the High Life at the Galeries Lafayette
This upscale department store is an essential stop on any Paris shopping trip. This 10-story structure sells merchandise from beloved French fashion designers and is known for its Art Nouveau-style stairs, dome, and architecture completed in 1912. The Haussmann location of the Galeries Lafeyette in Paris serves as the chain’s flagship store. Depending upon when you visit, you may be able to see their popular free fashion show, which they hold every week for visitors. Also featured in the Galeries Lafayette is The Bordeauxthèque, a restaurant that offers around 1,200 Bordeaux wines (with some 1,200 Bordeaux wines) to pair with your meal.

Nosh at Charles Chocolatier and Other Food Markets in Paris
If the Bordeauxthèque is a haven in Paris for wine lovers, then chocoholics should head to the Charles Chocolatier in Paris’s Rue Montorgueil, which one of the top Paris food markets. The shop first opened in 1910 and features all kinds of chocolate delicacies prepared by hand. The hot chocolate is one of the chocolatier’s trademarks. It is prepared in a copper cauldron and made from 100% cacao powder from the Ivory Coast, pure cacao butter, and half-fat milk. It only uses a small amount of sugar, so the taste is sweet but not overpoweringly so. If fresh fruits and fine French cheeses are more to your liking, however, be sure to take in the rest of the Rue Montorgueil.

Find Something Unique at Paris Flea Markets
If you’re looking for something one of a kind or vintage to take back home with you after your vacation, then you might want to do some scouring at one of Paris’s flea markets. The city’s largest is the Saint-Ouen flea market, or Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. Located in the northernmost parts of Paris, the market features everything from antique furniture to vintage clothing and more. The market is also open on weekdays, which can make for some easier browsing if you’re trying to beat the crowds.

Which Paris shopping destinations are your favorites? Tell us in the comments.