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Nothing, but nothing, can push you into the current of Parisian life faster than a few hours of shopping. Follow the lead of locals, who slow to a crawl as their eyes lock on a tempting display. Window-shopping is one of this city's greatest spectator sports; the French call it lèche-vitrine—literally, "licking the windows"—whic
Nothing, but nothing, can push you into the current of Parisian life faster than a few hours of shopping. Follow the lead of locals, who slow to a crawl as their eyes lock on a tempting display. Window-shopping is one of this city's greatest spectator sports; the French
Nothing, but nothing, can push you into the current of Parisian life faster than a few hours of shopping. Follow the lea
Nothing, but nothing, can push you into the current of Parisian life faster than a few hours of shopping. Follow the lead of locals, who slow to a crawl as their eyes lock on a tempting display. Window-shopping is one of this city's greatest spectator sports; the French call it lèche-vitrine—literally, "licking the windows"—which is fitting because many of the displays look good enough to eat.
Store owners here play to sophisticated audiences with voracious appetites for everything from spangly flagship stores to minimalist boutiques to under-the-radar spots in 19th-century glass-roofed passages. Parisians know that shopping isn't about the kill, it's about the chase: walking down cobblestone streets looking for items they didn't know they wanted, they're casual yet quick to pounce. They like being seduced by a clever display and relish the performance elements of browsing. Watching them shop can be almost as much fun as shopping yourself.
And nowhere is the infamous Parisian "attitude" more palpable than in the realm of fine shopping—the more haute the more hauteur.
Parisians are a proud bunch, and they value decorum. So dress to impress—and remember your manners. You must say bonjour upon entering a shop and merci, au revoir when leaving, even if it's to no one in particular. Think of it more as announcing your coming and going. Beyond this, protocol becomes less prescribed and more a matter of good judgment. If a salesperson is hovering, there's a reason; let him or her help you. To avoid icy stares, confidence and politeness go a long way.
As for what to buy, the sky's the limit in terms of choices. If your funds aren't limitless, however, take comfort in knowing that treasures can be found on a budget. And if you do decide to indulge, what better place to make that once-in-a-blue-moon splurge? When you get home and friends ask where you got those to-die-for shoes, with a shrug you'll casually say, "These? Oh . . . I bought them in Paris."
Maverick chocolatier Michel Chaudun was a legend around Paris. Trained at the Maison du Chocolat, the master confectioner was the very first to strike out on his own, long before Paris became a chocolate mecca. He was also the first to introduce granules of cocoa bean into his chocolates to achieve a rich intensity. In 2015, Chaudun passed the baton to Gilles Marchal, who has more than upheld the standard. Specializing in chocolate sculpture, pastries, and other sinful delights, this enchanting boutique is any chocolate lover's dream.
149 rue de l'Université, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Just when Paris thought its already phenomenal chocolate scene couldn't get any better, chocolatier Frédéric Marr opened this chic chocolate factory and boutique in 2007. Now the words "healthy" and "chocolate" appear together in the organic, nondairy, vegan (and yes, tasty) confections made here from unheated raw beans to preserve all the nutrients, subtle flavors, and (minimal) natural sugars. There's no resisting the chic metal boxes filled with bite-size truffles perfumed with flavors like sesame-rose, hazelnut-vanilla, or honey-pollen, as well as tablettes (bars) and baking chocolate, a boon for vegan cooks. It's known for its vegan, gluten-free, organic, and low-sugar products, but it also has delicious hot chocolate. Plus, you can watch chocolate being made on the premises.
8 rue de Mulhouse, Paris, Île-de-France, 75002, France
The two former chemists who founded Debauve & Gallais in 1800 became the royal chocolate purveyors and were famed for their "health chocolates," made with almond milk. Test the benefits yourself with ganache, truffles, or pistoles (flavored dark-chocolate disks).
30 rue des Sts-Pères, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007, France
Genin offers great chocolate: not too sweet, with handpicked seasonal ingredients for the velvety ganaches. The tea salon is a great spot to sample one of Genin's masterful takes on classic French pastries and a voluptuous chocolat chaud.
133 rue de Turenne, Paris, Île-de-France, 75003, France
Rochoux makes three superb collections of artisanal chocolates: the Ephemeral, with fresh fruit; Made-to-Measure, in the form of animals and figurines; and the Permanent Collection of everyday favorites.
16 rue d'Assas, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
Paris's bad-boy chocolatier likes to shock with provocative shapes and wicked humor, but it all tastes sinfully good. He designs every detail in his shops, including the presentation tables and futuristic decor. The Boulevard St-Germain shop, his very first, is one of three in the neighborhood and seven citywide. The other two nearby are at 19 rue de Sevres and 2–4 place Saint-Sulpice.
108 bd. St-Germain, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
Sourcing his star ingredient from independent farmers, Pierre Marcolini proves it's all in the bean. His specialty saveurs du monde ("flavors of the world") collection of Belgian chocolates are each made with a single cacao from a single location, such as Madagascar or Ecuador—thus, each has a distinct flavor.
89 rue de Seine, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
How do I love thee? The ways are too numerous to count. As the name implies, each tiny square of Richart chocolate is a colorful work of art that dazzles the eye and elevates the palate.
27 rue Bonaparte, Paris, Île-de-France, 75006, France
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