| Shopping In France | | | | Don't' forget that Sundays are closing days |
| | | | for most stores in Paris. But fear not, one |
| France is the ultimate shopping destination | | | | of the city's many flea markets will provide |
| for the sophisticated consumer. It offers | | | | a great alternative shopping experience. |
| everything from the ultimate in haute couture | | | | |
| to perfumes to wines and cheeses. And | | | | Shopping In Bordeaux |
| shopping in France is not theutilitarian | | | | |
| experience it can be elsewhere. Rather it's a | | | | Bordeaux is truly one of Europe's best kept |
| serious activity that demands attention and a | | | | shopping secrets. In the scenic charm of the |
| certain flair. | | | | city you'll find the world's most popular |
| | | | brand names: Cartier and Rolex for watches, |
| First we look at Paris where the shops make | | | | Hermes and Christian Lacroix for fabrics and |
| up an important part of the fabric of the | | | | clothes, Louis Vuitton for luggage, Mont |
| city's cultural identity. Then we'll head to | | | | Blanc for pens, the list is endless. |
| Bordeaux which offers more than just its | | | | |
| famous wines. | | | | Bordeaux is home to the longest |
| | | | pedestrianised street in Europe. Rue St. |
| Shopping In Paris | | | | Catherine runs from the stately Place de la |
| | | | Comedie to the student district near the |
| Think of Paris and you think of designer | | | | place de la Victoire. And its entire length |
| fashions, perfumes, and accessories with | | | | is graced with some of the country's premier |
| brand names famous for their chic the world | | | | shopping outlets. |
| over. But of course they come with hefty | | | | |
| price tags. Here's a tip. Bargain seekers | | | | Bordeaux's epicenter for shopping is known |
| should do their window shopping at the grand | | | | fittingly as the Golden Triangle. This |
| fashion houses to get a feel of what's in | | | | triangle contains the prime shopping zones of |
| vogue. Then head to the budget shops and | | | | the Allées de Tourny, the Cours de |
| markets to get similar items at pennies on | | | | l'Intendance and the Cours Clemenceau. In its |
| the dollar. | | | | heart is the Place des Grands-Hommes, where |
| | | | you'll find Bordeaux's most prestigious |
| If you're short on time you can get all your | | | | outlets. |
| designer labels under one roof at one of the | | | | |
| large French department stores. The two | | | | If such luxury doesn't tempt you, don't |
| queens, les grands magasins Printemps and | | | | worry. Bordeaux is home to a plethora of |
| Galeries Lafayette, sit side-by-side on | | | | chain stores that offer good value purchases. |
| Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th | | | | And the local boutiques offer distinctive |
| arrondissement. Fully exploring them could | | | | items without the brand name mark ups. |
| take days. | | | | |
| | | | And of course don't forget the wine. The |
| If you want the real Paris shopping | | | | Bordeaux region is France's premier wine |
| experience, head for one of the unique | | | | making area and you can get sublime local |
| wonders of the city - the galleries or | | | | vintages by the bottle or by the case. |
| passages. These are glass-roofed shopping | | | | |
| arcades that date back to the 19th century. | | | | For shoppers who want to spend some time in |
| They ooze charm and transform rainy days into | | | | France, check the internet for cheap France |
| episodes of romance and discovery. | | | | hotels and find Paris hotels or cheap |
| | | | Bordeaux hotels. |