Shopping

Women's

Abou d'Abi Bazar
10 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.aboudabibazar.com
Abou d'Abi Bazar organizes their collection of up-to-the-moment designers on color-coordinated racks that highlight the asymmetrical design of this opulent boutique. Artsy and bohemian all at once, there is plenty to covet here, from frothy Antik Batik silk-organza blouses to sumptuous cashmere-blend tunics and satin shirt-waist dresses. Its reasonably priced picks make it a very desirable destination.

APC
112 rue Vieille du Temple
www.apc.fr
APC features a decidedly Euro-hipster insouciant look. Standouts include unwashed denim pants, blazers, long-sleeve shirts, cotton pants and crisp, nicely cut slacks, jackets, and chic dresses.

A-POC
47 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
A-POC stands for "A Piece of Cloth" (also a play on the word epoch). Japanese designer Issey Miyake's concept: a fabrication technique that allows for hundreds of clothes to be cut from one piece of tubular cloth, resulting in clothing that you can customize at will. Contrary to first impressions, Miyake's clothes are eminently wearable. There are even adorable styles for children.

Barbara Bui
43 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.barbarabui.com
Barbara Bui's meticulously tailored jackets and curvaceous blazers might bring in the crowds, but the perfect-fitting pants have got her loyal clientele hooked. Clean, classic and timeless, Bui's effortlessly cool pieces can be worn season after season—lucky, since with four-figure price tags for a linen jacket or a silk dress, Bui's fashions are as much investment as pleasure.

ba&sh
22rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.ba-sh.com
ba&sh is by Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief, high school friends with no previous design experience. They create urban chic, beautiful clothes. Feminine, light, airy, and structured. Their line is dominated by dresses that are sweet and unfussy, Dresses come in shirt-, shift-, and sweater styles; belted tunics; and trousers, blouses, and equestrian-esque cropped jackets.

L'Eclaireur
3 rue des Rosiers
www.leclaireur.com
L'Eclaireur splits itself between the women's wear and the men's, around the corner. It maintains avant-garde tastes for designers such as Martin Margiela, Paul Harnden, and Anne Demeulemeester, plus a smattering of more omnipresent labels like Chloé and Lanvin.

Et Vous
6 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.etvous.fr
Et Vous takes its cue from the catwalk; turning out affordable, extremely well-cut clothing: pants (low waist/slim hip), knee-skimming skirts, chunky sweaters, and classic work wear with individual details.

Les Petites
41 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.lespetites.fr
Les Petites is the brain child of Isabelle Benichou, who was “la petite” in her family, the youngest of seven children –the name of the store is derived from that. Don’t worry, they don’t only have small sizes. They serve up modern, urban clothes with a feminine touch. The stores organize the clothes by color.

L'Habilleur
44 rue de Poitou
L'Habilleur is a favorite with the fashion press and anyone else looking for a great deal. For women there's a great selection from designers like Plein Sud, Maria Calderara, and Issey Myake. Men can find suits from Roberto Collina and Strelli at slashed prices.

maje
9 rue des Blanc-Manteaux
www.maje-paris.fr
Another brand hoping to fill the void between Zara and top designers like Chloe, maje is full of cute clothes with interesting and well thought out details.

Manoush
75 Rue Vieille du Temple
Manoush which means Gypsy offers girly and glittery frocks which are romantic and colorful. From rabbit printed dresses and patch work knits, Manoush is as girly as Jane Birkin and bohemian chic like Vanessa Paradis according to the designer.

Patrizia Pepe
3 rue des Rosiers
www.patriziapepe.com
Patrizia Pepe is one of the dynamic new generation of Italian designers. Her trendy, low-slung jeans and beaded tops in subtle shades are a hit with Italian women on the fast track.

Paule Ka
20 rue Malher
www.pauleka.com
Paule Ka stays youthful yet proper, with springy, knee-skimming dresses in cotton piqué, coats in black, white, or navy with three-quarter-length sleeves, and evening gowns showing just enough décolletage or leg.

Zagig & Voltaire
42 rue des Francs Bourgeois
www.zadig-et-voltaire.com
Zadig & Voltaire is the A-list destination for young fashionistas, offering street wear at its funkiest: racy camisoles, pointelle cashmere cardigans in offbeat colors, cropped leather jackets, and form-fitting pants to offset those French derrieres.

Shoes & Handags

Jamin Puech
68 rue Vieille du Temple
www.jamin-puech.com
Designer handbags, purses, wallets, etc. both fashionable and practical.

Camper
9 rue des Francs-Bourgeois
www.camper.com
Fancy, colorful leather footware crafted in Spain.

Children

Bon Ton
118 rue Vieille-du Temple
www.bonton.fr
All four Bon Ton locations have a fantastic edit of kids' clothes and gifts. While the versatile designs are simple with muted colors, there are also nice details like smartly tailored sleeves and Swiss dots.

Calesta Kidstore
23 rue Debelleyme
www.calesta.fr
Calesta Kidstore is Paris's hippest destination for children up to eight years old and their parents. A continuous loop of projected cartoons entrances kids while adults browse racks of the latest clothes and a connoisseur's selection of furniture, toys, strollers, and those leather-and-shearling baby carriers favored by supermodel moms.

Les Fanfans
42 Rue François Miron
Filled with impressive gadgets, toys, and games, the shop also has a clever owner who knows every inch of his extensive and tricky inventory and can demonstrate how everything works.

Niou
11 rue Saint-Paul
www.niou.fr
This modern store has classic Scandinavian and German wooden toys, simple stuffed animals, clothes, and lots of games. It's a perfect place to pick up a gift, or to find items to replenish the toy box.

Petit Pan
39 rue François Miron
Opened in December 2005, this children's boutique has beautiful silk and bamboo kites, children's clothing, and chic home accessories.

Housewares & Gifts

Collection
33, rue de Poitou
www.thecollection.fr
Alongside clever ceramics, glass and lighting by emerging designers, it features wallpaper printed with trompe l'oeil interior tableaus - who needs a real Le Corbusier loveseat when you can have its image on your wall? - for $286 a vignette. Meanwhile, a witty $313 chair with rococo patterns engraved into its laminated plywood surfaces packs flat for the trip home.

Muji
47 rue des Francs Bourgeois
www.muji.fr
Muji runs on the concept of kanketsu, or simplicity. The resultant streamlined designs for sportswear, housewares, and other supplies are all the rage in Europe. Must-haves include a collection of mini-necessities -- travel essentials, wee office gizmos, purse-size accoutrements -- so useful and adorable you'll want them all. They're perfect for gifts, but the happy recipient is likely to be you. Consider visiting on weekdays, as the stores get very crowded on weekends.

Sentou Galerie
24 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe
www.sentou.fr
Sentou Galerie knocked the Parisian world over the head with its fresh designs. Avant-garde furniture, spiral staircases, rugs, and a variety of home accessories line the cool showroom at 29 rue Francois Miron. Look for the Spring Vase, old test tubes linked together to form different shapes, or the oblong suspended crystal vases and arty tableware at 24 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe. Be sure to stop by 18 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, a small shop devoted to table settings with charming hand-painted plates, salt and pepper shakers, candleholders, and such.

Books

The Red Wheelbarrow
22 rue St-Paul
www.theredwheelbarrow.com
The Red Wheelbarrow is the Anglophone bookstore -- if it was written in English, you can get it here. The store also has a complete academic section, a wonderful collection of special-edition historical reads, and a great selection of children's books for young teens and under. Check out its fliers for info on English-language readings, given at least once a month; local artists and visiting authors pitch in on events, and sometimes that piano comes into play.