Going to Paris for half term - need a speed shopping destination!

[daisie4]

We're going to Paris for a few days to do all the touristy stuff, but I'm hoping to do a bit of shopping - maybe a morning. I don't know Paris at all - can anyone recommend where I should head and which shops would be best? I'm looking for mid market casual and some work stuff (but not too formal - no suits etc). Thanks.

[polyhymnia]

I'd recommend Bon Marché on the Left Bank - stylish department store.

[Ouchywawa]

Second Bon Marché - love it. And don't forget to have a browse through the food hall...

Otherwise just take a wander through St Germain.

That said if you are taking in the Louvre and other touristy places it might be easier to do Printemps, Galleries Lafayette etc.

[polyhymnia]

Though it would be a shame to miss the Left Bank altogether and Bon Marche etc is v handy for the Musee D'Orsay.

[daisie4]

Oh thank you for your replies, I'll definitely head to Bon Marche - will I find concessions in there so I don't need to visit chains - like Oasis in HofF?
Is the Left bank or a road? I quickly googled but it just gave me a general map?
Can I also pick your brains about the sights? We were planning eiffel tower, versailles, montmartre and louvre, is there anything you think is a must (2 children 9& 11)?

[mrsrushmore]

Do have a look at this website - I downloaded their walking tours for about 10 dollars in total before dd (15) and I went, and can thoroughly recommend them if you'd like a tour of places with lots of great shops.

Not for clothes shopping, but the chocolate and patisserie tour (which we did on a Sunday morning) was particularly good - your children should love that too, and it includes one of the churches features in the Da Vinci Code.

We did loads of walking and even hired Velib bikes (free for half an hour, like the ones in London) for a trip along the Seine (they close some of the roads on Sunday mornings).

Horrendous queues for the Louvre, so if you go there, get there early and allow a whole day.

We liked the Montmartre/Sacre Coeur area too, where you'll find street artists (as in all big cities watch out for pickpockets there, as well as on the Metro).

Have a brilliant time!

[mrsrushmore]

Oh, and your children are probably already nagging you to go to Disneyland Paris if you haven't already been there. It's about an hour away by train, but again, get there early if you want to avoid the worst of the queues.

[herecomesthsun]

Book in advance for Eiffel to save on queues. (not sure whether you can book for louvre). This was recommended by one guidebook, though your children are at the upper edge of the range, but also apparently the tours need to be booked.

Berthillon ice cream. Laduree macarons on the Champs elysee. Chartiers. The exchange rate is awful, when we went this summer we found that we most enjoyed eating Lebanese, delicious, inexpensive and less time waiting to be served with in our case a fractious small child.

We liked the batobus (boat bus). Have fun!

[Greythorne]

I love BonMarché^but be aware it is seriously high end. Think Harvey Nichols, not House of Fraser.

[herecomesthsun]

Also, I wondered about clothes shopping, but was put off by the exchange rate, again...

[soapydishcloth]

I recommend a bike tour with bikeabout tours - great fun, fantastic guides and goes to some of the out of the way places.