Shopping Near City Hall

Around the Hôtel de Ville you'll find a shopping district anchored by BHV Marais, a department store popular with Parisians. It's usually counted among the city's four great department stores, alongside Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché. While the other three lean glamorous, with luxury names like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dior, BHV Marais is the more down-to-earth option. It does carry luxury labels, but it's valued more for its well-rounded selection than for glitz, which is exactly why locals love it. Alongside Chanel, Saint Laurent, Armani and Jo Malone, you'll find Marais-style younger brands such as Sandro and Maje, plus vintage shops, homewares and fashion accessories under the same roof.

From the department store to Châtelet station, you'll pass relatively affordable fast-fashion chains such as Zara, H&M and Mango, and there are plenty of vintage shops near Châtelet. Inside the station itself, Monoprix, Zara, H&M and Pull&Bear make it an easy stop for younger shoppers. For something more upscale, head into the Marais for boutiques such as Sandro, Maje and Saint James, which have now become largely premium brands.

If you're visiting from late December to January, or from late June to July, you'll see "SOLDE" signs in shop windows. That's the sale. By law, France holds two nationwide sales a year, called les soldes. Discounts start around 30% in the first week and climb to as much as 80% by the sixth and final week, but by then the best clothes and sizes are usually gone, so aim to buy at a sensible moment for a reasonable deal. At Monoprix and department stores you may need a loyalty card to get the discount. The soldes have become an annual ritual for the French, so expect crowds and very long lines for fitting rooms and checkout.