As one of the world's leading capital of fashion, you'd expect Paris to have a fair number of malls. Since most Parisians prefer "la lèche-vitrine"-- window shopping, or, quite literally, "licking the windows", most shopping areas in the city are found outdoors, in much-coveted shopping districts such as the Marais, the Champs-Elysees, or the "haute couture" district on Rue Saint-Honoré. However, three major shopping centers offer an alternative to the boutique-hopping routine, if you'd prefer a "one-stop" destination or want to browse familiar chain outlets such as Zara or H&M.

1. Forum des Halles Shopping Center

Looming in the smack center of Paris in the area known as "Chatêlet-Les-Halles", this giant, labyrinth-like shopping center first opened in the early 1970's, constructed following the demolition of a traditional central meat and vegetable market which had dominated the city center since the medieval period. The massive underground shopping complex-- you have to go down two long escalators from street level to access it-- isn't always very easy to navigate, and is currently undergoing major renovations, making it even trickier to get around at first. Still, it can't be beat where convenience and variety is concerned. If you're shopping for new items on a tight budget, this Parisian mall can be ideal since it includes so many stores in the mid-range, rather than focusing on luxury brands and products.

Address: 101 Porte Berger, 1st arrondissement
Metro/RER: Chatêlet-Les-Halles (Metro lines 1, 4, 7, 14; RER lines A, B and D
Open: 10 am to 8pm daily, except Sundays (closed).

Major Stores:

• Zara
• H&M
• Esprit
• Comptoir des Cotonniers
• Etam
• Kookai
• FNAC (electronics, books, and music)
• Sephora (beauty and fragrance)
• Marionnaud (beauty and fragrance)
• Swarovski

For more information and a full list of stores by category, visit the official website (in English).More »

2. Carrousel du Louvre

Open seven days a week, and located in the heart of Paris just beneath the Louvre Museum's famed glass pyramid, the Carrousel du Louvre is an ideal shopping center to hit if you're looking for high-quality home goods, electronics, books, entertainment, accessories and gifts. Many Parisians and visitors flock here for the Apple Store, the city's flagship. There's also a Virgin Megastore, luxury gifts, jewelry, home items awaiting here. There's also a gourmet food court on the upper level, ideal for grabbing a bite between shopping.
 

Major Stores at the Carrousel:

• Apple Store
• L'Occitane en Provence
• Virgin Megastore
• Esprit
• Sephora
• Swarovski
• Bodum
• Lalique

Attractions Around the Carrousel du Louvre:

• Musée du Louvre
• Louvre-Tuileries Neighborhood (great high-end shopping district)
• Grands Boulevards Neighborhood (great for antiques, rare books, and other specialty items)

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3. Les Quatre Temps Shopping Center at La Defense

Located in the massive business district just west of the city limits known as "La Defense", and boasting views of the imposing Grande Arche de la Defense, this mall is easily accessible via the RER (suburban train) A line from central Paris. In addition to dozens of stores, the complex counts several mid-range to excellent restaurants in the complex, as well as a megaplex cinema showing plenty of films in English with subtitles.
 

Major Shops:

• H&M
• Zara
• Desigual
• Habitat (home furnishings)
• FNAC (books, music and electronics)
• American Apparel
• Muji (Japanese fashion and home items)
• Lancel
• Virgin Megastore

If you liked this feature, you might also like:

• Top Paris Shopping Districts
• Top Paris Department Stores
• Budget Shopping in Paris

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