Paris
Design by Yuzhen Wang
Ooh La La! How we swoon when we think of Parisian fashion - after all, it is the fashion capital of the world. Fashion has been integral to the identity of Paris since the 19th Century with the luxury and the lavishness of haute-couture its defining feature. Some of the largest names in fashion are French designers, including powerhouse brands Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel as well as many other modern designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Lacoste, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy, just to name a few. Paris is also home to the most prolific cosmetic companies demarcating the beauty industry including: L'Oréal, Lancôme, Clarins, and L'Occitane. When it comes to fashion, one can’t help but think of Paris. Millions will flock to Paris in January and July just to catch a glimpse of the gilded glamour exuded by the City of Love. So beginning with the Champs-Élysées, we venture into the shopping districts of gorgeous Paris.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
We must begin with the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the French for “Elysian Fields” and most commonly regarded as the “most beautiful avenue in the whole world” - it wouldn’t be a City Guide to Paris without this lavish and beautiful boulevard. Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, approximately 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide and running between Place de la Concorde in the east and Place Charles de Gaulle in the west. Upon this opulent avenue you will find yourself amongst fashion’s high-art labels including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Sephora. But amongst these bourgeoisie boutiques you will also find the more affordable brands like Celio, Nike, Zara and H&M. Either way, there is something for everyone.
Address: Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, Île-de-France, 75008
Hours: Mon-Sat : 10am-8pm
Price Range: €€€€
Rue Saint Honoré
The Rue Saint Honoré is a fashion avenue actually composed of two streets, Rue du Faubourg where fashion icons Dior, Givenchy and Hermès can be found, and Rue Saint Honoré where popular brands have been mixed with abstract and unique designers. Rue Saint Honoré is an idyllic, picture-perfect fashion hotspot, always featured in magazines and stylist blogs, and because of its central location, many fashion week runway shows take place here. Just off of the main thoroughfare on Rue Cambon is the original Chanel boutique where your Parisian fashion fantasies will be come true. If you’re shopping with luxury in mind, this is the avenue for you.
Address: Rue Saint Honoré, Paris 75001
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Wed: 2.30pm-7pm
Price Range: €€€€
Boulevard Haussmann
The metropolitan magic is certainly present here on Boulevard Haussmann. Paris was one of the first cities to open the shopping staple, the modern, elegant department store. A string of glamourous and grandiose department stores can be found down the brilliant Boulevard Haussmann, an avenue of dazzling beauty and only a couple of blocks away from the opulent Opera Garnier. Galeries Lafayette is worth a visit to simply gaze upon its beautiful architecture; its glittering, gilded auditorium rising up into a majestic, stained glass dome. With the shelves stocked with all the biggest labels and luxuries and a picture-perfect interior, you must sneak a peek.
Address: 132 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 75008
Hours: Mon-Sat: Various
Price Range: €€€€
Sèvres Babylone & Saint Germain des Prés
This area is a perfect pocket-book to a small, luxury boutique shopping experience. You won’t have to compete for space or navigate the swarms of people down this cute and cosy Parisian boulevard as it is a less well-known shopping district, especially the smaller streets like Rue de Grenelle and the Rue des Saints-Pères. Begin at Saint Germain des Près at a quintessentially Parisian, literary café, peruse the Sonia Rykiel store, a little space stuffed to the brim with books and finally meander to the Hermès store - a former Art Deco swimming pool hall refurbished into a shopping haven.
Address: 2 Place le Corbusier, 75007 Paris
Hours: Mon-Sat : Various
Price Range: €€€€
Le Marais
Le Marais is a lively, unique and quirky pocket of Paris’ shopping districts. Located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, this area is filled with trendy boutiques, vintage shops, and retro restaurants - a perfect day out if you are an individual looking for alternative styles to define your personality. Interestingly, the best place to shop here is on a Sunday, perfect considering the majority of shopping destinations are closed on a Sunday! Be sure to check out this location for a more whimsical experience of Parisian life.
Address: Place des Vosges, Paris 75004
Hours: Mon-Sat : 10am-8pm, Sun: 11am-7pm
Price Range: €€€€