Paris is a superb place to shop, whether you're someone who can afford an original Cartier diamond bracelet or you're an impoverished leche-vitrine (literally 'window licker'). From the ultra-chic couture houses of ave Montaigne to the flea-market bargains at Saint Ouen, from the vast underground shopping centre at Les Halles to the cubbyhole boutiques of the Marais, Paris is a city that knows how to make it, present it and charge for it.

Some of Paris' department stores are Art Nouveau extravaganzas, including Au Bon Marche, while others offer such things as fabulous views out over the rooftops of the city. But all offer quality and very stylish items that will go down a treat at home. Certain streets in Paris still specialise in certain products. Rue du Pont Louis Philippe, 4e (metro Pont Marie), for example, has all manner of paper goods and stationery, while rue de Paradis, 10e (metro Château d'Eau), is famed for its crystal, glass and tableware shops. If you're in the market for a sewing machine, turn south from rue de Paradis onto rue Martel - it's chock-a-block with the things. In the nearby passage de l'Industrie, shops specialise in equipment and tools for coiffeurs (hairdressers). Walk along rue Victor Masse, 9e, and you'll see more musical instruments than you thought existed. The shops on rue Drouot in the 9e sell almost nothing but old postage stamps.

Paris has everything for sale but stick to the tried and the true: fashion, jewellery, fine food and wine, professional kitchenware, quality gifts and souvenirs. Paris' flea markets are well-and-truly picked over but are still among the largest in the world and offer a great way to spend a weekend morning. Opening hours in Paris are notoriously anarchic, with each store setting its own hours according to some ancient black art. Most stores will be open at least 10am to 6pm five days a week (including Saturday), but they may open earlier, close later, close for lunch (usually to 2.30pm) or for a full or half-day on Monday or Tuesday. Many larger stores also have a nocturne - one late night (usually to 10pm) a week.
Paris is a shopping paradise and a serious threat to your purse. Go to the famous Haussman boulevard department stores (Grands-magasins in French), a condense of the classical French savoir-vivre, be it fashion, decoration or perfume and have a look at their often splendid architecture .If you look for a CD or a book, some large and nicely located books and CDs stores offer a large assortment at good prices. Paris also has many small shops selling everything from everywhere in the world. Just walk around the city in almost any district and you will find lots of interesting shops. Some streets are specialized. For example, the trendy rue des Francs-Bourgeois near the Place des Vosges specializes in fashion and decoration. The rue d'Alesia near the Alesia metro station and the rue Saint-Placide near the Montparnasse metro station are meccas of discount fashion.