Shopping

Paris:
If you like to shop, Paris is the capital of the shopping world. The variety and style of the stores makes a Paris shopping trip a must for any fashion-conscious traveler. Shopping here is an art. Parisians take fashion very seriously, so shopping in Paris can be savored and enjoyed as much as a meal in one of the city’s many excellent restaurants or a visit to one of its world-class museums.

Shopping in Paris can be done on any budget. All the best designers have boutiques in Paris, and many are worth a visit just to breathe in the elegance or to get an idea of the latest styles before heading to a more affordable department store or flea market. Shopping in Paris is a serious affair, though. Don’t expect a friendly welcome if you are wearing shorts, sneakers, or a printed t-shirt, don’t touch displays, and be sure to ask for assistance with a polite “s’il vous plait.” Most stores in Paris are closed on a Sunday, so you may want to take that day to explore one of the city’s flea markets. These offer the best shopping in Paris for those on a shoestring budget.

Rouen:
There are many local craft items sold in Rouen. The decorative pottery style known as faïence was once in major production in the city. Shops sell antique faïence ceramics as well as new contemporary reproductions. The best-known ceramic studio for this Rouen specialty is Faïencerie Carpentier at 26 Rue St. Romain. Another trinket to look for is a dainty, handmade wooden box called les coffret de Rouen. These boxes reached their height of popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries but are still sought out today. There is a flea market on the weekends at Place St. Mare and on Thursdays at Place des Emmurés.

Whether an admirer or collector of antiques, Rouen has many shops to browse. In Vieux Rouen (Old Town) many vendors are located along Rue Eau de Robec, Rue Damiette, Place Barthélémy and Rue St. Romain. Stores offer paintings the 18th and 19th centuries, books dating back to the 15th century and toys and glassware also from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Caen:
With its central location in the Normandy region, Caen is a great city to find Norman souvenirs. Here, visitors are offered a large array of stores to search for the perfect token of their travels through France. Good streets to begin your journey are Rue de Strasbourg, Boulevard du Maréchal-Leclerc and Rue St. Pierre. Decadent French chocolates and local jams are sold at Le Chocolatier Hotot on 13 Rue St. Pierre. Prized antiques can be found in the shops along Rue Commerçantes and Rue Ecuyère. To purchase some of France and the region’s prized wines, head to Nicolas on 10 Rue Bellivet. The popular supermarket and department store, Monoprix is a great place to buy provisions in Caen. There is a wonderful selection of meat, cheese, produce and libations. It is important to remember to weigh and add a price tag to your fruits and vegetables before getting to the register.

There are markets on Friday and Sunday mornings in Caen. On Fridays, the market is located at Place St. Sauveur, and if shopping on Sunday head to the market at Place Courtonne. Both of these markets offer regional specialties such as Calvados (apple brandy), faïence pottery and other ceramics.

St. Malo:
Like most small towns in France, there are gift shops with local specialties and art in the center of this medieval city, in particular near the citadel. For buying in bulk, travel just south of the city to the Carrefour superstore. Carrefour is Europe’s version of Wal-Mart, with a huge selection of goods ranging from electronics, clothing to food items. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days in St. Malo. The streets in the heart of city showcase colorful vendors selling local delicacies and handmade crafts.

Tours:
The main shopping in Tours is found at its daily markets. One of these is a flea market on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Place de la Victorie. Another Saturday market is at Places des Halles, which sells a selection of local crafts. This crafts market always has a unique collection of souvenirs. The city’s tourist office offers an additional list of specialty markets that is updated frequently.