Fashion has long been one of the most high profile of Paris' businesses and an important export, as well.
The city is one of the top five international fashion capitals, and many of the premier fashion houses have their headquarters in Paris.
Design icons like Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Yves Saint Laurent set the trends that are followed by style watchers all over the world.
While just about every block in Paris boasts excellent places to shop, there are several areas in the city that are considered the best shopping districts:
• Faubourg Saint-Honoré, located between the Louvre and Opera, is considered the pulse of Paris fashion and design.
• Boulevard Haussmann and the Paris Department Stores District with its Belle Epoque architecture dazzles the shopper with department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps which are worlds unto themselves.
• Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Elysées; the intersection is a center of luxury fashions in the city and is a close second to Saint-Honoré in the number of designers located here.
• The Marais Quarter is a prime location for eclectic fashion hunters.
• The Saint-Ouen Flea Market in the northern part of Paris dates to the 19th century and is an enormous resource for shoppers looking to purchase vintage fashion.
• Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli is a haven for both major fashion chain stores and trendy boutiques; the underground mall at metro Les Halles is huge enough for shoppers to easily lose themselves.
The Paris Fashion Week occurs twice each year and is currently held in the Carrousel du Louvre. Fashionistas and celebrities come from all over the world to see the latest creations from their favorite Paris design houses.
