Le Bon Marché Charcuterie / Designer Jeans / Expensive / Fashion Forward / Fashion Types / Foodies / French Food / Good for Groups / Groups / High Fashion / International / Locals / Moderate / Parking Lot / Pretentious / Shopping / Sophisticated / Street Parking / Tourists / Trendy Casual / Trendy Crowd / Trendy Vibe / Upscale / Shopping Area / Mall

My Take: London has Harrods, New York has Saks Fifth Avenue, and Paris has Le Bon Marché. Luckily, France’s oldest and best department store has been around since 1838 and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you want luxurious French goods, it’s the place to come. If you want fancy French food, the adjunct grocery store is an empire in all things tasty and tasteful, from artisanal French jams and cheeses to Sicilian olive oils and Spanish chorizo. The prices are as high as the quality, but even for interior window-shopping, Le Bon Marché is a shopper’s must. The Scene: Entering Le Bon Marché is like entering a white-decorated French heaven. Escalators crisscross each other with elegance in the impressive high-ceilinged hall. Sophisticated and streamlined, Le Bon Marché spreads its luxury beauty and clothing over five floors. The neighboring gourmande’s delight known as “La grande épicerie de Paris” is right across the street, where you can pick up a variety of European cuisines. In the basement is a wine cellar that is formidable—in a good, French way. Cocktails & Cuisine: The épicerie stocks a healthy selection of foods and a vineyard’s quantity of wine. Prices: Anything from €2 French jam to €2,000 handbags. What to Wear: Dress in a more sophisticated fashion to fit in with the upscale crowd. Insider Info/When to go: If you want to practice your French, the customer service here is the best in Paris and they will patiently wait as you struggle through your conjugations of être.