Girls' Guide to Paris

Bookstores

5/13/2010 8:36:00 AM

Abbey Bookshop 29, rue de la Parcheminerie, in the 5th Arrondissement. 01 46 33 16 24. Mon–Sat, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Canadian-run shop with Anglo-American and Canadian books, and a large secondhand section. Artazart Design Bookstore 83, quai de Valmy, in the 10th. 01 40 40 24 00. As the name suggests, Artazart is a design bookstore hawking hardbacks (and paperbacks) in subjects ranging from photography to fine art to architecture.

Unique Shops

6/18/2009 5:25:00 PM

Only Umbrellas Madeleine Gély 218, blvd St. Germain, in the 6th Arrondissement. 01 42 22 63 35. This shop right out of My Fair Lady sells only umbrellas, from the sturdy and practical to the frilly and adorable. Only Socks Tabio 15, rue Vieille du Temple, in the 4th. 01 42 78 20 38. Tabio is a shop selling simply socks for both women and men. Only Antique Perfume Bottles Belle de Jour 7, rue Tardieu, in the 18th. 01 46 06 15 28.

Marchés

6/18/2009 5:23:00 PM

Note the difference between a market street, which houses permanent shops, and a real marché, which is an outdoor market where trucks pull up and vendors sell their food for only a few hours—akin to our farmer's markets. Batignolles and Raspail: Biologique (Organic) Blvd des Batignolles, from rue des Batignolles to rue Boursault, in the 17th. Sat, 9–2. Blvd Raspail, from rue du Cherche-Midi to rue de Rennes, in the 6th. Sun, 9–2. Batignolles was Paris’s first organic market.

Antiques

6/18/2009 5:17:00 PM

Les Bouquinistes Along the Seine. Tues–Fri, 2–6; Sat–Sun, 11–6. Summer: about 9:30–7. These booksellers have been selling their wares along the Seine for nearly 500 years. You can peruse their used or antique books and posters from quai du Louvre to quai des Célestins, in the 2nd and 4th arrondissements, and from quai Voltaire to quai de la Tournelle, in the 5th and 6th. One can always find something interesting for sale here.

Shopping Pointers and Top Shopping Areas

6/14/2009 8:20:00 PM

Pointers A word to the wise: bring an extra collapsible suitcase in your luggage. If you spend over 175 euros at one shop, bring your passport and ask the shopkeeper to fill out the détaxe refund form, which entitles you to the entire VAT (value added tax) back. This is a significant amount (about 14 percent). Don’t forget to go to the DÉTAXE (tax back) desk at the airport to turn in your form, before you check in your luggage.

Jewels and Scents

6/11/2009 11:04:00 AM

Ted Alexander 109, rue du Bac, in the 7th Arrondissement. 01 45 44 42 24. Ted Alexander’s collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets adds just the right kind of sparkle to a smart ensemble. He even has tiny gold or silver charms of the Eiffel Tower, along with medallions from the neighboring pilgrimage site, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Astier de Villatte173, rue St. Honoré, in the 1st. 01 42 60 74 13. Primarily a housewares shop specializing in ceramics.

For the Kids

6/11/2009 11:01:00 AM

Agnès B Enfant 13, rue de Marseille, in the 10th, on Canal St. Martin. 01 42 06 66 58. See website for more locations. Lovely and chic. Au Nain Bleu (pictured at right) 8, rue Malesherbes, in the 8th. 01 42 65 20 00. The oldest French toy store. Baby Dior 26, ave Montaigne, in the 8th. 01 49 52 01 45. For the perfect little princess. Bonpoint See website for locations. For the silver-spooned. Bonton See website for locations. Cool kidswear and furniture.

The French Home

6/11/2009 10:53:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. Baccarat 11, place des Etats-Unis, in the 16th Arrondissement. Offers the quintessential crystal for all of us princesses! And for an added treat—Philippe Starck designed their restaurant, dubbed the Cristal Room (01 40 22 11 10). Phone ahead, as this place is übertrendy. Blanc d’Ivoire 4, rue Jacob, in the 6th. 01 45 44 41 17. Presents a very clean yet romantic style. They sell the French quilts you’re dreaming of.

La Lingerie

6/11/2009 10:50:00 AM

Cadolle Couture 14, rue Cambon, in the 1st. 01 49 27 92 30. Offers personalized fittings. After all, the founder of this store invented the brassiere! Louise Feuillère 102, rue des Dames in the 17th. 01 44 90 96 22. Louise makes made to measure luxurious lingerie to fit you and only you for a pretty penny (1500 euros and up).

Must-Have Shoes and Bags

6/11/2009 10:46:00 AM

Camper 9, rue des Francs Bourgeois, in the 4th. 01 48 87 09 09. 1, rue du Cherche-Midi, in the 6th. 01 45 48 22 00. Two of our favorite locations. The Spanish shoe brand from Majorca gives us cute and comfortable shoes, something most gals thought was impossible! Robert Clergerie 46, rue Croix des Petits Champs, in the 1st. 01 42 61 49 24. Perhaps the shoes that inspired the phrase “CFM pumps.” Pierre Hardy 156, Galerie de Valois, in the 1st, in the Palais Royal.

Vintage

6/11/2009 10:44:00 AM

Adom 35, rue de la Roquette (for men), in the 11th. 56, rue de la Roquette (for women), in the 11th. 01 48 07 15 94. Adom, a vintage/secondhand shop, has been described as a rummager's paradise, stocking clothing, shoes, accessories, bags and bomber jackets. Casablanca 17, rue Moret in the 11th. 01 43 57 10 12. Mon–Sat, 2–7 p.m. Vintagewear from the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Didier Ludot 20–24, Galerie de Montpensier, in the 1st, in the Palais Royal.

Totally Chic

6/11/2009 10:42:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. Abercrombie 38, rue du Bac, in the 7th Arrondissement. 01 45 48 48 85. Carries a solid collection of European brands in 100 percent cotton, linen, wool or cashmere, depending on the season. Arthur et Fox 44, rue du Bac, in the 7th. 01 42 22 10 20. Locals flock here for their tailored style. Blanc Bleu 18, rue Royale, in the 8th. When you think of classic French summer style, you’re probably imagining something from Blanc Bleu.

A Beautiful Mix

6/11/2009 10:27:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. These stores offer a varied collection of designers. BHV 55, rue de la Verrerie, in the 4th Arrondissement. 01 42 74 90 00. BHV is a manageable French department store that is stocked with everything from home furnishings to art supplies to lingerie. It’s a great place to spend a rainy day and is conveniently located amid several tourist attractions, in case you need to break up the sites with the sales.

Perfectly Parisian

6/11/2009 10:21:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. Agnès B See website for locations. Time Out calls Agnes B one of the top 10 stores in the capital. You cannot go wrong here for women, men or children, and it’s actually reasonable. APC See website for locations. Essential stop for the perfect understated French look. Their jeans are classic. Autour du Monde 8, rue des Francs Bourgeois, in the 3rd. 01 42 77 06 08.

Notable Non-French

6/11/2009 10:18:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. Bimba & Lola 17, rue Pavée, in the 4th Arrondissement. 01 42 74 65 41. 350, rue St.-Honoré, in the 1st. 01 42 86 05 43. Bimba & Lola is a Spanish brand with boutiques all over the world. If you are looking for a pair of stylish heels or funky, colorful flats, it has plenty to choose from. The clothes are simple and chic, without being overly fashionable. Costume National 5, rue Cambon, in the 1st. 01 40 15 04 13.

Hip and Funky

6/11/2009 9:36:00 AM

Courtesy of Fifi Flowers. Azzedine Alaïa 18, rue de la Verrerie, in the 4th Arrondissement. 01 42 72 54 97. Figure hugging shapes by the always fabulous Tunisian born designer. Antik Batik 4, rue Cambon, in the 1st. 01 40 15 01 45. Presents colorful, affordable ready-for-the-weekend fashion inspired by Bali. Darling kids’ stuff, too. Other locations in the Marais and on St. Germain—see website. Antoine et Lili 95, quai de Valmy, in the 10th, near Canal St. Martin.

Haute Couture (the Big French Brands)

6/11/2009 9:16:00 AM

Chanel 29–31, rue Cambon, in the 1st Arrondissement. 01 42 86 26 00. Chloé 54–56, rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré, in the 8th. 01 44 94 33 00. Dior 28–30, ave Montaigne, in the 8th. 01 40 73 54 00.Givenchy 3, ave George V, in the 8th. 01 44 31 51 09. Hermès 24, rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré, in the 8th. 01 40 17 47 17. Louis Vuitton 101, ave des Champs-Elysées, in the 8th. Their temple on the Champs is quite a sight to behold—We also like their store in the 6th, on rue Bonaparte.

Top 20 or More Items to Bring Back

4/20/2009 9:14:00 AM

Scroll down for addresses. 1. Candles and tea from Mariage Frères 2. Gifts from the gift shop at Hôtel de Crillon marked with the hotel’s logo 3. Macaroons from Pierre Hermé (these won’t last long) or Ladurée 4. Chocolates from Patrick Roger 5. French herbs and spices from Goumanyat. Also, the nearby G. Detou offers teas, chocolates, nuts and sardines—a veritable wonderland of foodie gifts. 6. Berets in all different colors and crystal Eiffel Towers for the kids.