Paris Top 10 : Shops and Markets

Flower and Bird Markets

Dating
from 1808, the colourful Marché aux Fleurs (flower market) on the Ile
de la Cité is the oldest and one of the largest flower markets in Paris.
Its blooms brighten up the area between the stark walls of the
Conciergerie and Hôtel Dieu from Monday to Saturday – everything from
orchids to orange trees. On Sundays it is joined by the Marché aux
Oiseaux (bird market) with equally colourful, caged species.

• Pl Louis-Lépine, 75002

Au Printemps

One
of Paris’s two top department stores, Printemps opened in 1864. Its
goods range from designer clothing and accessories, to
middle-of-the-range labels and funky fashions, home decor and furniture.
The sixth-floor tea room is crowned with a lovely Art Nouveau
stained-glass cupola.

• 64 blvd Haussmann, 75009

Galeries Lafayette

Printemp’s
great rival store opened in 1894 and is a monument to Parisian style,
topped by a glorious steel-and-glass dome. Along with designer clothes,
there’s a fabulous food hall. The seventh floor has great views.

• 40 blvd Haussmann, 75009

Marché Richard-Lenoir

Every
Thursday and Sunday morning, this market stretches along the tree-lined
boulevard that separates the Marais from the Bastille. Sunday is the
best day, when locals come to socialize as well as shop for foods such
as fish, meat, bread and cheese. Some stalls sell North African and
other international fare.

• Blvd Richard-Lenoir, 75011

Place de la Madeleine

This
is a gourmand’s delight. Some of the most delectable speciality food
shops in Paris are dotted around the edges of this square, including the
famous Fauchon supermarket and the smaller Hédiard. There’s Maille for
mustard, Kaspia for caviar, Marquise de Sévigné for chocolates and La Maison de la Truffe for truffles.

Rue de Buci

The
artist Picasso reputedly did his shopping at this daily morning market
in the heart of St-Germain. The huge fruit and vegetable stalls are of
high quality but of greater interest are the food shops opening on to
the street, which sell specialist and regional fare. You can also buy
prepared Italian dishes and delicious pastries.

Rue Mouffetard

One
of the oldest street markets in Paris winds downhill through the Latin
Quarter every Tuesday to Sunday morning. Although this formerly cheap
and Bohemian market has been discovered as a tourist spot, it retains
its charm, the narrow street lined with colourful food stalls and
speciality shops. There are also good restaurants in the quieter side
streets.

Le Bon Marché

Paris’s first department store was founded on the Left Bank in 1852, its structure partially designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Today it’s even more hip than its competitors, with an in-store
boutique featuring avant-garde fashions and music. It also has designer
clothes, its own line of menswear and the enormous La Grande Epicerie
food hall.

• 22 rue de Sèvres, 75007

Aligre Market

Away
from the tourist bustle, this Bastille market, dubbed the “Notre-Dame
of markets”, retains an authentic Parisian atmosphere. Every morning
North African traders hawk inexpensive produce in the open-air market,
and there’s an adjacent flea market and a covered market selling
top-quality fare.

• Pl d’Aligre, 75012

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen

Every
Saturday to Monday the largest antiques market in the world comes
alive. There are actually several markets here: the oldest, Marché
Vernaison, is the most charming; Marché Malik sells vintage clothing.
Others offer furniture, jewellery and paintings.

• Porte de Clignancourt, 75018

• Metro Porte de Clignancourt