Paris Shopping

Only in Paris does a department store stock hundreds of labels coveted by hordes of frenzied shoppers, yet retain a boutique-y vibe. Le Bon Marché (meaning cheap, though that's not entirely true) is a rive-gauche institution nestled in a chic metal frame. There's also a cosmetics department, men's clothing and a gorgeous home deco section. Just can't get enough? The Galleries Lafayette and Le Printemps are only a Metro ride away.

Where: 24 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, +33 (0) 1 44 39 80 00, (Metro: Vaneau or Sèvres Babylone)

Le Bon Marché website

Open: Mon-Wed 10am-7.30pm; Thu 10am-9pm; Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 9.30am-8pm

This espresso-drinking nation has slowly been discovering the ancestral art of tea drinking. Waft through the fragrant Mariage Frères boutiques, lined with dainty containers. Make time for an exotic brew in the salon de thé after a tour of the tea museum; there's one in every branch.

Where: Mariage Frères, 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg, 75003 Paris, +33 (0) 1 43 54 41 04, (Metro: Hôtel de Ville)

Where: 13 rue des Grands, Augustins, 75006 Paris, +33 (0) 1 40 51 82 50

Open: Daily 10.30am-7.30pm

Mariage Frères website

She caused a bit of a stir back in ‘98 with her multi-coloured sequined totes and has been on the rise ever since. Stella McCartney's French alter ego, seek out Vanessa Bruno's pure, clean lines for that sexy-with-brains look.

Where: Vanessa Bruno flagship, 25 rue Saint Sulpice, 75006 Paris, +33 (0) 1 43 54 41 04, (Metro: St Sulpice)

Vanessa Bruno website

Open: Mon-Sat 10.30am-7.30pm

Despite being a world capital, most French people take their 35-hour week very seriously. That means few stores open on Sundays and past 7pm… fermé! The Publicis Drugstore is 3,000 square metres of books, mags, beauty products and fine wines. It also has a cinema, a brasserie and a pharmacy. Open from 8am to 2am every day of the year, it's also become a bit of a trendy hang-out.

Where: Publicis Drugstore, 133 avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, + 33 (0) 1 44 43 75 07, (Metro: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, Georges V)

Publicis Drugstore website

Open: Daily 8am-2am

Find the perfect scent from a Parisian parfumeur. L'Artisan Parfumeur (2 rue Amiral de Colligny, 1e) mixes lush and fruity fragrances, while Dyptique (34 boulevard St-Germain, 5e) specialises in scented candles. Head to heady Parfums Frederic Malle for compositions by France's top 'noses' (37 rue de Grenelle, 7e). The lavish, jewel-box Palais Royal is home to Serge Lutens' olfactory heaven (142 Galerie de Valois, 1e).

L'Artisan Parfumeur website

Dyptique website

Frederic Malle website

Serge Luten website

Shoe Bizz is this great shoe store, really Parisian but inexpensive. Marta Villegas, Brussels

Where: Shoe Bizz, 48 rue Beaubourg, 75003 Paris, +33 (0) 1 48 87 12 73, (Metro: Rambuteau or Arts et Métiers)

Don't leave your shopping till the Sunday if you're in Paris for the weekend; most stores are closed, including the big department stores. Stores in the Marais area remain open and it's also the Jewish area with lots of great falafel places to keep you going. Fran Saunders, London

For super fancy food, try Fauchon (www.fauchon.fr) on place de la Madeleine, in the 8th arrondissement. They do amazing cakes, all really beautifully presented, as well as their own delicious jams and biscuits in smart Fauchon tins that make a great present! Paul Marshall, Didsbury