Shopping

Paris
If you like to shop Paris, France 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. In Paris shopping 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.

Aix-en-Provence
Aix is known for its selection of clothing and accessory shops, but not for its bargains. The historical city center, with its narrow winding streets offering numerous boutiques. Some retailers sell the latest fashion trends while others sell signature Provençal gifts. Some of these local crafts include patterned linen, olive oil, wine, and pottery. Calissons are a sweet native to Aix-en-Provence. They are made of fruits and sweetened almonds and can be found in any confectionary in the city. A couple of these sweet shops are Calissons du Roy René located at 10 Rue Clémenceau, and Léonard Parli at 35 Avenue Victor Hugo. The shopping super center, Monoprix, is located conveniently on the thoroughfare Cours Mirabeau and is a clothing store as well as a grocery store.

There are also many markets throughout Aix-en-Provence. In Place Verdun (in front of Palais de Justice) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings there is a flea market that has a nice selection of trinkets. A beautiful and fragrant flower market (marché aux fleurs) on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville occurs simultaneously with the Place Verdun market. Vendors at food markets sell tasty treats such as local produce, cheese, breads and honey. Food markets are located on Place des Prêcheurs and Place de la Madeleine every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The food market on Place Richelme is open everyday. Typical shop hours are 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm. Some store stay open during lunchtime.

Nice
Since the Middle Ages, Cours Saleya has been the heart of Nice’s market square. Every afternoon until 1pm markets still rule the square with vendors selling beautiful fresh flowers, gifts, produce, spices and other Riviera specialties. This market has the best prices on flowers and gifts in the city. Jasmine, carnations and roses are the specialty flora of the Riviera. Fresh seasonal produce includes zucchini, mushrooms, white asparagus, and strawberries. Other specialty fares are sun-dried tomatoes, olive varieties and aromatic spices. On Mondays, this same market switches into an antique market. Cours Saleya is conveniently located right off the beach in Old Nice.

Place Garibaldi is another location for shopping. This area is lined with beautiful buildings that make shopping a pleasure. The boutiques here offer another opportunity to pick up gifts from the French Riviera. There is also a mall in Place Garibaldi called TNL Commercial Center. The shops in this center have a selection of brands ranging from pricey to inexpensive.