Paris
Craft beers from around the world but especially France (including Paris-brewed Goutte d'Or and Bonjour and Île-de-France brewed Parisis) fill this bottle…
Must-see shopping in France
Var
Meni (Gerard) and son make an astonishing array of sausages, terrines, cured meats and pre-prepared dishes in this tiny shop, the very image of an…
Lille
Second-generation artisan chocolatier Dominique Benoit creates pralines and other chocolates using traditional techniques and inspired flavour pairings,…
Vaucluse
If your manor house needs that perfect Louis XV chandelier, look no further. The former mills and factories along L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue's main road contain…
Metz
If only every market were like Metz’ grand Marché Couvert. Once a bishop’s palace, now a temple to fresh local produce, this is the kind of place where…
Grenoble
A timeworn French delicatessen transported from your most sugary day-dreams. The finest candied fruits, gourmet marshmallows and artisan chocolate bars…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Claude Trudon began selling candles here in 1643, and the company – which officially supplied Versailles and Napoléon with light – is now the world’s…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Pierre Poilâne opened his boulangerie (bakery) upon arriving from Normandy in 1932. Today his granddaughter Apollonia runs the company, which still turns…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
This chic city has its own designer line of souvenirs, sold in its own ubercool concept store inside the Hôtel de Ville (town hall). Shop here for…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
The queue outside the door, especially at weekends, says it all. This family-run fromagerie (cheese shop) and affineur (ripener) in Belleville is among…
Cooperative Fruitière Val d'Arly
Chamonix
A shopfront for a venerable collective of more than 70 artisanal producers, this fruitière is the best place in Chamonix to stock up on Reblochon,…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Pillar-box-red Artazart is one of Paris' best design bookshops. Alongside design and source books in French, English and other languages, it stocks a…
Chambéry
More than two-dozen local producers assemble in Chambéry's covered market, selling regional specialities like charcuterie and cheese, alongside butchers,…
Nancy
When Nancy’s Benedictine nuns hit hard times during the French Revolution, they saw the light in heavenly macarons. They’re still made to the original…
Latin Quarter
For anyone planning an adventure in France, this bookshop is an invaluable resource. Detailed IGN topo maps and guides for climbing, via ferrata, hiking,…
Colmar
Bag Munster cheese, fresh pretzels, pastries, wild-boar saucisson (dry-cured sausage or salami), fresh fruit and veg and more at this 19th-century market…
Lyon
A thoughtfully curated shop with a trove of one-of-a-kind merchandise from elegant stationery to delicate jewellery, along with wall hangings, artful…
Reims
Strikingly illuminated by Champagne bottles, this swish wine boutique-cum-bar plays host to 27 vintners and more than 200 Champagnes. There is a different…
Athenaeum de la Vigne et du Vin
Beaune
This fabulous bookshop stocks thousands of titles, including many in English, covering everything from wine tasting to oenology (the art and science of…
Nice
Nice's favourite vintage shop is a treasure trove of clothing, jewellery and accessories spanning much of the 20th century; what really sets it apart is…
Troyes
Hidden down a narrow backstreet, this is where you'll find Sarah’s marvellous hat-making workshop. Squeeze into her tiny boutique, jam-packed with bonnets…
Bastia
A fine spot to pick up authentic Coriscan handicrafts, this gorgeous little old-town boutique displays and sells the work of 30 craftspeople from all over…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Using everything from discarded clothing to electrical fittings and household bric-a-brac, this bold art and fashion collective sews, recycles and…
St-Tropez
Forget the fancy side of St-Tropez for a while, and re-enter a more traditional Provence at this twice-weekly market, offering everything from cheese…
Nancy
This family-run grocery store on the edge of the old town is crammed with Lorraine delicacies. Cheeses, smoked saucisson, macarons, mirabelles (plums) in…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Tiny tin (étain) and lead soldiers, snipers, cavaliers, military drummers and musicians (great for chessboard pieces) cram this fascinating boutique. In…
Bayonne
Founded in Bayonne in 1890, this premium chocolatier sells its chocolate bars in an irresistible variety of flavours: plain and milk, of course, but also…
Strasbourg
Cherubs adorn this heavenly shop where Strasbourg’s pain d’épices (gingerbread) fairy Mireille Oster tempts with handmade varieties featuring figs,…
The Pyrenees
After browsing the boutiques of nearby rue Serviez, stop by BricOTruc, which has a delightful assortment of recycled jewellery, picture frames, toys,…
Southern Corsica
Whether you're shopping for picnics or gifts to take home, don’t leave town without stopping at this Aladdin’s cave, alongside the main square, to pick up…
Paris
Chanel's gleaming 1500-sq-m flagship store, with entrances on rues St-Honoré, Duphot and Cambon, is footsteps from Coco Chanel's original boutique at 31…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Browse for beautiful scented candles from the world's oldest candlemaker, dating from 1643, at its Right Bank boutique in Le Marais.
Strasbourg
Just try to resist this little shop, where cheese whiz Willy Leproust will tempt you in with his impeccable selection of regional fromage and saucisson…
Paris
In the rag trade since 1975, collector Didier Ludot sells the city’s finest couture creations of yesteryear, hosts exhibitions and has published a book…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
All pieces – fashion, homewares, jewellery, accessories – are designed and made in France in this charming boutique that started as an e-shop. A great…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Pick up a hoodie emblazoned with the black-and-white Pigalle logo from this leading Parisian menswear brand, created by designer and basketball player…
Marché aux Truffes de St-Alvère
Sainte-Alvère
Leading local chefs head 35km south of Périgueux to St-Alvère’s marché aux truffes where top harvests fetch as much as €1000 a kilogram, a bargain by…
Bordeaux
The playful and oftentimes clever prints and posters incorporating letters and words by graphic designer Célestin Forestier make a beautiful souvenir-with…
Strasbourg
Sumptuous truffles and pralines, weightless macarons and edible Strasbourg landmarks – renowned chocolatier Christian’s creations are mini works of art.
Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu’île de St-Tropez
Côte d'Azur
Shop for Côtes de Provence AOC wine at this clearinghouse of regional vineyards, near the giant roundabouts to the west of St-Tropez.
