The elegant department stores, or grands magasins, of Boulevard Haussmann are Parisian monuments that almost rival the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in popularity. While lesser high-street stores have managed to find a niche in this 9th Arrondissement shopping haven, there is no topping Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.
Housed beneath elaborate art nouveau glass domes, these retail institutions pull in the crowds with cutting-edge designs, the latest fashions and chic cafes. Elegant Parisian models strut on the catwalk showing off the latest trends at Galeries Lafayette's free private fashion show, held each Friday at 3pm on the seventh floor of the main store (e-mail: welcome@galeries lafayette.com to book a seat). Printemps' free fashion show takes place at 10am every Tuesday on the seventh floor of the Printemps de la Mode section.
Both grands magasins provide personal shopping services led by a professional shopper, but if you're after a more drastic image revamp then book some time with
a fashion consultant. At Galeries Lafayette it costs Euro150 ($1,450) for two sessions (tel: 33 1 4282 3550). Printemps' personal service provides assistance in men's, women's and homeware shopping (tel:33 1 4282 6611). Printemps also offers silverware engraving, linen embroidery, custom-tailored curtains and picture framing.
Galeries Lafayette features most of the world's best brand-name designers under one roof. The watch and handbag departments, as well as the Fendi, Prada and Gucci boutiques, were remodelled recently, and American jeweller Tiffany has opened a new outlet on the ground floor. You can find anything from a shoe-repair service to a build-a-bear boutique where you can create your own
cuddly toy. The home-furnishings department's designer dinnerware starts with Studio Nova glass bowls at Euro4.50, Leonardo cocktail glasses from Euro8 and Dozorme cutlery from Euro9 a piece. The women's swimwear section dazzles, with designer bikinis by Freya, Lafayette Collection, Morgan, Choice and Banana Moon (from Euro49).