Paris Shopping Tips by sachara

Les Puces (Flea Markets): looking for a bargain... Les Puces (Flea Markets) Review

If you like to stroll around at markets or are looking for a bargain. Paris has some flea markets, where you can find second hand goods, but new goods as well. Bargaining is part of the job and of course of the fun.

Not far from the Place de Bastille is the Marché au Puces d´Aligre (Place d´Aligre). I visited this rather small and cosy market only once. Other markets are Marché aux Puce de la Porte Vanves (metro Port de Vanves) and Marché aux Puces de Montreuil (metro Port de Montreuil).

The largest flea market of Paris or even of Europe is the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (metro Port Clignacourt). This market with about 2500 stalls grouped in 10 market areas is founded in the late 19th century. At sundaymorning I even saw stalls in the street of my Etap-hotel (close to the Port Saint Ouen).

What to buy: You name it .... antiques, all types of second hand goods, clothes, bags and much more.

Theme: Other

Place d'Aligre

In so many places in Paris you can find lovely and interesting markets. When I stayed in a hotel In the Bastille area, I visited the Marché d'Aligre not far from the place de la Bastille. It was a lovely market with a typical authentic atmosphere.

At the Place d'Aligne has a vegetable and fruit market, but also a fleamarket. I enjoyed to stroll around for some time at this place. Except the market there were also some lovely shops around, like the boulangerie/bakery at the picture.

Directions: Place 'd Aligre, south-east of the Opera Bastille, south of the Rue de Faubourg.

Theme: Antiques

Le Forum des Halles: Multifunctional complex Le Forum des Halles Review

At the place of the original Halles, the huge food market for Paris till 1969, a huge underground shopping centre is built.

This shoppingcentre is built in different levels and is designed around 'a huge crater', forming a central square. From this square starts a huge labyrinth of underground streets with shops, snackbars and restaurants.

Except shops the Forum des Halles houses also several cultural functions.

What to buy: There are some huge stores with enormous collections of books and music. I found here for example several French books about the Sahara I was looking for.

Directions: The Forum des Halles is between the Rue Berger, Rue de Louvre, Rue Rambuteau and Rue Pierre Lescot.

Metro/bus/RER: les Halles, Chatelet

Theme: Other

Picturesque shopping street Rue Mouffetard Review

The Rue Mouffetard is allready a very old street. In Roman times it was the mainroad from Paris to Rome. This narrow street with its old-fashioned signboards and mansarde roofs from the 17th century has kept much of its special character.

I enjoyed to walk down this street and have a look at its shops and in the morning at its market. In the Rue Mouffetard and its side-streets you can find also rather cheap restaurants, where you can have a good lunch.

Address: 75005 - PARIS

Directions: Rue Mouffetard is located just south-east of the Pantheon in Quartier Latin
Metro : Censier-Daubenton

Theme: Food and Drink

Markets & shops Rue Mouffetard Review

Every morning, except at mondays, you can visit the picturesque market in the Rue Mouffetard in Quartier Latin. It's one of the oldest markets in Paris.

At the market with its colourful stalls and in the shops you can find all kind of food and specialities, like cheese, meat, vegetables, fruits and more. Here in the Rue de Mouffetard it was for the first time in my life I saw a streetstall with ducks.

Address: 75005 - PARIS

Directions: Metro : Censier-Daubenton

Theme: Food and Drink

Satellite: Jewelry with influences from all over the world

Strolling in the Marais, one of my favourite shopping areas, I found one of the shops of Satellite. I was mainly windowshopping on my way to an exhibition in Centre Pompidou. I was fascinated by the ethnic look of some of the jewelry and because of the rain I decided to enter the shop and to take my time to have a close look at the jewelry.

I liked especially the designs of the jewelry with influences from all over the world. I liked also the used materials and colours. In the store they explained me that every season there will be a new collection.

What to buy: Finally I ended with buying a necklace, bracelet and earrings, mainly made of colourful beads.

Address: Rue des Francs Bourgeois 23

Directions: The shop I found was in the Marais. In the brochure and at the website I saw there were three more shops in Paris, but also in Cannes, New York and Japan.

Other Contact: satellite@satellite.fr

Phone: + 33 155349570

Theme: Jewelry

Website: http://satelliteparis.com

Galeries Lafayette: Lafayette, fashion and architecture Galeries Lafayette Review

At the backside of Opera Garnier at the Boulevard Haussman you can find one of the great department stores of Paris, the Galeries Lafayette.

In the mainbulding you can find a enormous choice in woman fashion, but also cosmetics, jewelry, books, toys and much more. In the other buildings and parts of the huge complex you can find man fashion. There is also a food plaza with all kind of different fresh products, where you can take also your quick lunch.

It can take some time before you will find your way. It's a paradise for shopping, but also for only looking around. Anyway don't forget to have a look at the stunning colourful stained glass dome !!

Address: 40 Blvd Haussmann

Directions: Near the opera

Theme: Women's Clothes

Website: http://www.galerieslafayette.com/