Avenue Montaigne
Métro: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bus: 42, 80.
This is one of the wealthiest (and fashionable) streets in the world. Start at the location of the Franklin D. Roosevelt metró station and spend your way down the “Miracle Half-Mile” down towards the Alma-Marceau métro station. On the way, notice the legendary names of fashion on the shops of Bulgari, Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Ferragamo, Celine, Nina Ricci and more. There are clothes, handbags, accessories, and shoes that would make Carrie Bradshaw blush. Speaking of Carrie Bradshaw, stop at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, site of the last episode of Sex and the City and have a (pricey) Cosmopolitan with lunch.
Galeries Lafayette Department Store
Métro: Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette, Trinité or Opéra. Bus: 20, 21, 22, 42, 53, 68, 81, 95.
It’s much more than a department store, it’s entertainment. Setup like a gilded indoor Roman Colosseum, gallery spectators oversee shoppers engaged in gladiatorial battle on the sales floor. It’s “thumbs up” to this famous grands magasin, headquartered at 40, boulevard Haussmann but “thumbs down” to the barely worthwhile 30-minute fashion show presented on Fridays at 3 p.m. Reservations for the show, with English commentary, are a must and should be done early via email at welcome@galerieslafayette.com.
Afterwards, do a runway walk over to Le Printemps department store, just down the block at 64, boulevard Haussmann.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Métro: Louvre or Palais Royal Musée du Louvre. Bus: 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95.
This is the museum of French lifestyle, located in a wing of the Louvre. Two of the collections housed here are of special attention to those interested in fashion and lifestyle. The decorative arts collection is dedicated to the understanding of the evolution of human taste, style and crafts. The fashion and textile museum presents temporary exhibits concerned with the history of garments. A famous designer is often asked to participate in the design of these exhibitions. Website: www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr.
For more information on my Paris tours, see www.travelingprofessor.com