Mercure's travel guides

Hit Paris's glamorous department stores credit cards blazing: at Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marché and Printemps the world's top designers compete to catch your eye. The young and trendy stroll the Marais district's cobbled streets, lined with eclectic boutiques showcasing one-off designs that will stun those back home. If your wallet is sore, head to one of the city's many markets – on Place Monge (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), Place de la Bastille (Sunday) or Porte de Clignancourt (Saturday to Monday). Here, the atmosphere – of people shopping, chatting, eating, enjoying themselves – is as important as what you buy.

Galeries Lafayette

40, bd Haussmann, Paris, 75009
01 42 82 34 56
http://www.galerieslafayette.com

Description:

Crowned by a turn-of-the-century, stained-glass dome, this incredible department store is a shopper's paradise. The cosmetics department is huge, and perfumes are legion. Fashion, too, maintains a strong profile, and both men and women find enormous selections of designer wear accompanied by more mainstream options. Other attractions include a great toy department, a hair salon, terrific jewellery, and housewares. METRO: Chaussée-d'Antin, Opéra, Havre-Caumartin
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 9:30am-8pm; Thu 9:30am-9pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt

av. de la Porte de Clignancourt, Paris, 75018
08 92 70 57 65
http://www.marchesauxpuces.fr/index.php

Description:

This world-renowned flea market, held in Saint-Ouen on the northern edge of Paris, doesn't promise steals on great merchandise as it once did, but it's a great place to browse and uncover terrific souvenirs. Thousands of stalls (comprising twelve distinct markets) line the streets, offering everything from vintage clothing to old dishes, cast-off objects, and antique furniture. Give yourself time to browse, use your French, and beware of pickpockets. Otherwise, revel in the great local colour. METRO: Porte de Clignancourt, Garibaldi
Sat-Mon 9am-7pm

Christian Louboutin

38, rue de Grenelle, Paris, 75007
01 42 22 33 07

Description:

This cosy store displays one-of-a-kind shoes in an intimate, exhibit-like environment. The designer is a true artist who has created such masterpieces as sexy red-soled shoes and '80s-inspired black and gold knee boots. If you can't find the perfect shoe, Christian Louboutin will custom-design one for you. METRO: Saint-Sulpice, Rue du Bac
Mon-Sat 10:30am-7pm; closed Aug
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club