If you want a great department store experience in Paris forget Printemps and Galleries Lafayette and head straight for Le Bon Marche on the left bank. The store itself is beautiful. It is not as big as the others, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in style and quality.
The fashion collections have been edited beautifully. We wandered from one lovely installation to another. Paul was most pleased with the mens’ Dries Van Noten section and happily tried on several pieces, some of which have found their way into his wardrobe.
There is an amazing haberdashery section which was swarming with people the day we were there. I don’t think I have seen a better selection of buttons, trims, yarn, threads and any piece of equipment you would need. Some of these I never knew existed and now I don’t know how I could live without them.
The homewares floor is divine. I can’t believe how much beautiful glass ware and crockery exists and the sheets, towels and soft furnishings by Kenzo, Yves Delorme, Missoni and others are fabulous. I want to throw everything I own out and start again.
Don’t miss the food hall in the second building across the road from the main store. There is a covered walkway between the 2 stores. Here you will find what you need, from delicious cheeses to plastic spoons and everything in between. I wished we had an apartment with a kitchen so I could take advantage of the excellent selection of goodies.
We had lunch at the cafe on the 2nd floor. I had a delicious crab wrap and Paul, being a health nut, had a chocolate tart. The coffee was good and best of all we had seats overlooking a gorgeous winter scene. There was a tree lined park in front of a row of typical Parisian buildings with their lovely grey rooftops. I love the look of the bare trees in winter, but it would be very beautiful in spring. I’ll have to go back.
winter in Paris
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