Our guide to Christmas Shopping in Paris
Categories : Fashion and Shopping, published on : 11/3/14
Paris is a world class shopping destination at any time of the year, but during the run up to Christmas shopping in the city takes on an added resonance. Picturesque decorations and the twinkling of many thousands of Christmas illuminations certainly help to enhance the retail experience. If you’re tempted to indulge, allow The Chess Hotel to make some suggestions for your seasonal shopping spree.
Christmas Markets and festive Department Stores
You know that Paris is getting ready to herald the Christmas spirit when small wooden chalets begin popping up in various locations around the city such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Place de la Nation. These market stalls are inspired by the traditions originating in the Alsace region, where both French and German elements combine, and embody a wonderful festive ambience. Here you can find regional specialities, gourmet treats, handicrafts and some great ideas for unusual gifts.
The Grands Magasins department stores of Paris are historical landmarks bursting with haute couture, home furnishings, cosmetics, fine jewellery and gourmet foods, making them the ideal places to find all of your seasonal gift requirements. They are also noted for their fabulous and imaginative decorations (the Christmas tree in Galeries Lafayette this year is actually upside down) and stunning window displays created by leading designers.
If you wish to check out some of the most fashionable shops in Paris, the rue de Rivoli is not far from the Chess Hotel. This street built by Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate an early victory over the Austrian army is now a browsing and buying heaven, full of leading brands, original designers, crafts and antique shops galore.
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• Galeries Lafayette: 40 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8th
Metro : Chaussée d'Antin Lafayette, lines 7 et 9
• Printemps: 64 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9th
Metro Havre Caumartin, lines 3 et 9
• Le Bon Marché, 24 Rue de Sèvres, Paris 7th
Tel. 0033 (0)1 01 44 39 80 00
Metro : Sèvres - Babylone, lines 10,12
• Christmas market at Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• Christmas market at Trocadéro
• Christmas market at Champs Elysées
Christmas village : 15 novembre au 5 janvier 2015
Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8ème
Du rond-point des Champs-Elysées jusqu'à la place de la Concorde
Metro : Franklin D. Roosevelt, lignes 1 et 9 - Concorde, lignes 1, 8 et 12
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Picture copyright holder: Tourist Office Paris - Photographer Amélie Dupont
The Chess Hotel, a chic 4 * hotel close to the Opera Garnier
