French – ‘the best French – ‘the best foie gras, the finest wines’as their website proudly states – and global.Among the selection of specialist honeys, oils,teas and much more, you’ll find gift-shoppingeasy and temptation for a little something foryourself quite irresistible.Another fabulous foodie store is the GaleriesLafayette Paris Haussman Le Gourmet whichfeatures some of the most famous chefs,bakers, cake makers of France, as well as barsand restaurants.Perfect for book loversBrowse the bouquinistes, the little book stallsalong both sides of the Seine around NotreDame and the Louvre not just for books(including in English), but also for posters,prints and postcards which make excellentmementoes or presents. Set back from theriver near Notre Dame, in Rue de la Bûcherie,is the iconic Shakespeare & Company, whosehiggledy-piggledy layout – think dusty corners,uneven floors and stepladders for reachingawkward corners – has been charmingEnglish-speaking readers for over a century. Ifyou buy a book, ask them to stamp it with theirsignature Shakespeare & Co stamp for extrakudos.Other great English language bookshopsinclude The Red Wheelbarrow in Rue deMédicis, just opposite the LuxembourgGardens, and Smith and Son at 248, Ruede Rivoli.A little atmosphericbrowsingIt’s lovely to wander the quirky shops alongthe arcades at the Palais Royal. They dateback to the 1700s and have a notoriouspast involving high end shopping, theatre,prostitution and a role in the FrenchRevolution. You’ll also find designer boutiques,specialist shoe and handbag shops, littleShakespeare & Companygalleries and perfumeries. Pop into ÉpiceParis for scarves, cushions and bags of thekind favoured by wealthy Parisians, or theMaison Fabre for leather gloves in everyhue. You could window-shop for jewelleryor antique furniture or even, at the GalerieNumismatique, for old coins. The shop of theThéâtre du Palais Royal always has greatgifts that are unusual and exclusive.The Marais is also great for shopping. Turnright at the top of the St Paul metro steps andhead down the Rue Saint-Antoine past lotsof little shops, including Laurent Dubois, acheesemonger designated a Meilleur ouvrierde France. Take a left into Rue de Birague,past Bring France Home, a charming littlegift shop where everything is made in France,then head through the archway at the endof the road to the stunning Place des Vosgeswhere you can take a turn around therenaissance arches, perusing window displaysand café menus. Further north, head to RueCharlot for more cute shops and the coveredfood market Le Marché des Enfants Rouges,in Rue de Bretagne.Perfect for unique, vintageand antique giftsExquisite treasures can befound at Marin MontagutArtist Marin Montagut’selegant and quirky boutiqueon the left bank in RueMadame is full of whimsicaland unique gifts from tinypaper artworks at a fewEuros to gorgeous cushions,candles, mugs, dishes andhand-painted decanters.And if its antique and vintage you’re after,there is only one place to go – Marchè auxPuces de Saint-Ouen. More than 3000boutiques, stalls and showrooms line alabyrinth of lanes and alleys, and whether it’s apiece of chateau chic, Belle Epoque jewelleryor an Art Deco gem, you’ll find plenty oftreasure here at the world’s biggest antiquesmarket (and if you’re not sure where to start,take a Sunday tour with La Source antiquesand lifestyle experts).The place to go for antiques in Paris, Marchè aux Puces de Saint-Ouen© Aline Bachelier, La Source AntiquesANTIQUING & DESIGNADVENTURES IN FRANCES O U R C E A N T I Q U E S F R A N C E . C O M64 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 65
