Credit Sarah Sergent,

Credit Sarah Sergent, Paris Tourist Office Credit Amelie Dupont, Paris Tourist Office Christmas Shopping in Paris – where to go and what to buy It’s the most wonderful time of the year… goes the song, and in Paris that’s certainly true. Christmas is when the city of light pulls out all the stops, the streets glitter and the shops are chock-a-block with gifts and goodies to lure you in! Many shops go all out festive – even opening on Sundays in December and lots of them provide a gift-wrapping service which saves you time and always looks fabulous. Christmas markets There are more than a dozen Christmas markets of varying sizes in the capital and you’ll find something for everyone here. Check out the mega-market at La Defense aimed at city workers, or perhaps the small and quirky market in Montmartre is more your style. Don’t miss the glitzy market stalls of the premier shopping Street in Paris, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Whichever Christmas market you visit, you’re bound to find Christmas decorations, trinkets, presents and festive food stuffs galore. Details for Paris Christmas Markets

Credit Jacques Lebar Paris Tourist Office Something different and utterly gorgeous Two words. Museum boutiques. Paris is awash with museums and art galleries and most of them have shops. This is where you’ll find gifts that are really different and very Parisian. Take the Comedie Francaise shop, one of my very favourites in Paris – they have delicious tote bags and the most chic note pads and other gifts that I guarantee you will want to keep for yourself. Surprisingly inexpensive, perfect for stocking fillers and unique presents that your loved ones will be over the moon to receive (if you can bear to let them go). We have a gorgeous Christian Lacroix designed tote bag from Comedie Francaise to give away to a lucky winner – see page 79. Divine and delicious department stores Le Bon Marché: If you love Christmas then don’t miss a trip to this fabulous store which show cases the best of the best. Not just clothes and accessories but the world famous La Grande Epicerie food department, plus an extensive wine cellar and home furnishings departments. Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris and a thoroughly luxurious shopping experience – think the French love child of Harrods and Fortnum and Masons. It’s not cheap but it is very elegant and charming. Credit Amelie Dupont, Paris Tourist Office Printemps: founded in 1865, the flagship store in Paris has everything from fashion to furniture. Plush, luxurious and elegant. Galeries Lafayette: Founded in 1895, it’s one of the oldest and most fashionable shopping centres in France. Famous for its Christmas displays and show stopping centre piece of a Christmas tree always decorated in a different theme each year. From fashion to home ware and everything in between.