Shopping in Paris

Sadly one thing we have now is "standardization" A lot of the shopping is the same as at home.

I tend to like to wander the market streets. Daguerre in the 14th is fun and not near as "touristy" as some of the others. If you go to the Catacombs it's just across the street.

My favorite stroll and shop area is actually the Marias. Lots of fun shops to wander in and some that are unique to Paris.

Another place that seems to get less tourists is the Bercy Village. It's kind of cool just to see, it's former wine merchant cellars turned into shops and restaurants.

The Bercy Village has a nice setting, but it's one of the worst locations in Paris for being full of "clone" chain stores.

Try some of the nineteenth-century "galeries" or shopping arcades (the Galerie Vivienne is very pretty but may be too upmarket for your taste) although be warned that a couple of the ones around rue St-Denis can get outright sleazy.

I do seem to recall that I wasn't overwhelmed with the shopping at Bercy, but it was a nice atmosphere.

There is almost nothing I find in Paris that I can't get within 6 blocks of my home in Chicago and if not that on the internet. The days of unique are done. The Champs Elysees and Bercy Village are just outdoor malls with the same old same old shops. That said. The Marais is full of boutiques and is fun for shopping for some folks. Montmartre has lots of little shops. There are stretches of St. Germain full of art galleries and small shops. But there are no bargains in Paris and few things you won't be able to find at home. On the other hand, my husband has been wearing for 10 years a black cashmere jacket he bought in Paris; pricey but worth every cent paid. And I found a 45 year old watch with a sort of art deco styling at a vide grenier for 10 Euro and it is still running perfectly 5 years later and I wear it every day. For unique -- I'd try the Vanves market for old costume jewelry or look for signs of vide grenier (sidewalk sales.) And just because the world is smaller doesn't mean you won't find something you like.

I'm also going to Paris soon and am planning to check out the local boutiques on:

1. Rue de Bretagne in the Marais.

2.Rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement.

3.Rue de Marseille and Rue Baurepaire in Canal St. Martin

According to online blogs and guidebooks, these streets are known as hotbeds for independent French designers.
You might find this article interesting.
http://www.messynessychic.com/2014/09/23/5-areas-to-shop-like-a-parisian-a-local-guide-to-paris-boutique-shopping/

My husband and I love the Vanves market, also. Metro is Porte des Vanves. When you come up out of the metro cross the street where there is a nice little cafe,turn right walk down about a block and the beginning of the market is there...it is quite big these days...winds back quite far. Only open on Saturday and Sunday morning..until 12 or 1. You can find almost anything there from oil paintings, to postcards, cameras, jewelry, books, pitchers, ....prices in all ranges.

you can try for something more off the beaten path? maybe flea markets? (if you are into that kind of stuff)
I am actually also searching for Paris because I will be travelling there in june during my school holiday!
Here are several websites that I have found very helpful in my research:
-BonAppetour
-timeout
-lonely planet
-telegraph

try these websites if you want to look for something off the beaten path!

I just picked up a new book yesterday that you might want to check out. It's called The Food Lover's Guide to Paris -- The best restaurants, bistros, cafes, markets, bakeries and more. It has it all divided by arrondissement. Obviously, I haven't put it to use in Paris yet, but I like what I am reading so far. The "and more" part includes kitchen and tableware shops, ice cream, chocolate, wine shops, specialty foods, etc.

For a mall experience and to see a quarter not often frequented by tourists, check out Les 4 Temps at La Defense. It'll give you a chance to see la Grande Arche de la Defense and a one-stop shopping stop.