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