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Christmas Shopping in Paris - ooh-la-la!Edited by Madelyn Miller, The TravelLadyIf Paris never had the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre it would still be famous just for the shopping! The words fashion and chic were born here, no other city has so many exquisite shops and so many well known designers, it truly is a shoppers' paradise.
If you prefer a more leisurely pace you will enjoy the small windy streets of the Marais (Métro St-Paul) that offers a mix of kitsch and couture especially along the rue des Francs Bourgeois which leads to the magnificent Place des Vosges. Collectors will head to Saint Germain des Prés (Métro Saint Germain des Prés) or more precisely the rue du Seine, rue Jacob or rue du Bac, where the cobbled streets are lined with pristine antique shops, and the flea market at Saint-Ouen (Métro Porte de Clignancourt) where most of the city's antique dealers gather at the weekend. Those who are looking for an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience should head for the department stores, the most famous being Printemps and Galleries Lafayette (Métro Chaussée d'Antin), rivals found side by side on the Boulevard Haussmann. Paris's equivalent to Harrods in London, both stores offer five floors of designer fashion, decoration and perfumes, as well as exquisite food halls. Where to stay?
You are met by an English speaking representative who shows you in, tells you about the local area and answers any questions you may have.
The company also operates an English speaking telephone help line to provide guests with answers to questions about Paris, what to do and see. An English speaking 24/7 number is also provided in the unlikely event of an emergency - such as losing keys.
Coach House currently has some 20 properties including a large family house in the upscale 17th and quality apartments around Montmartre, in the 4th - The Marais and the 5th - The Latin Quarter. Full details together with suggested itineraries and a helpful list of things to see and do can be found at: www.rentals.chsparis.com. Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer whose favourite sport is shopping. She once spent a week in Paris and went to a different market every day. You can read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaATlas.com BEST WAY TO GET THERE GREAT GUIDEBOOKS AA FRANCE TRAVELBOOK EYEWITNESS GUIDE TO FRANCE FROMMERS FRANCE 2002 CHATEAUX & HOTELS DE FRANCE Romantik 2006 How to Pronounce French, German and
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Label lovers should make a bee-line to
Avenue Montaigne (Métro Champs Elysées Clémenceau) where some of the worlds most
famous designers can be found (Chanel, Lacroix, Chloé, Dior) or the slightly
less brash rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Métro Tuileries or Palais Royale) home to
the concept store Colette, which has become a Mecca for anyone in the know.
Indeed those who are looking for cutting edge, should head for the truly trend
setting rue Etienne Marcel and the Place des Victoires (Métro Etienne Marcel)
which has become a giant cat-walk for the young fashion gurus of Paris, or the
cluster of up-and-coming labels found along the rue Charonne and the rue Keller
(Métro Charonne or Bastille) - a must for any fashionista!
Coach House Vacation Rentals, the
leading specialist in short term central London rentals, have now opened in
Paris - same quality rentals, same personal service. And - most important -
English speaking management and representatives who will show you in, tell you
about the local area and answer any questions you may have.
English is the native language of all
the reservations team and spoken fluently by all the staff in Paris.
Each rental comes with its own
mini-guide written in English and covering the neighbourhood shops, local
transport, bars, restaurants and cafés, and emergency services.
A car (usually with English speaking
driver) to meet you at the airport and take you to your Paris rental can be
arranged on request - by far the easiest way to get into town with lots of bags.