AB33 and N°60
AB33, the original boutique run by fashion addict Agathe Buchotte, has become a must in every like-minded woman's address book for its eclectic mix of pieces from smaller brands like Odd Molly and Laundry Industry. Up the road, the younger Nº60 revels in a more rock 'n' roll attitude, courtesy of labels such as McQ, Chalayan and April 77.
Alain Mikli
Cult French designer Mikli uses cellulose acetate, a blend of wood and cotton sliced from blocks. At his flagship Starck-designed boutique, frames are laid out in a glass counter like designer sweeties.
Alice Cadolle
Five generations of lingerie-makers are behind this boutique, founded by Hermine Cadolle, who claimed to be the inventor of the bra. Great-great-granddaughter Poupie Cadolle continues the tradition in a cosy space devoted to a luxury ready-to-wear line of bras, panties and corsets.
Caravane Chambre 19
This offshoot of Françoise Dorget's original Marais shop has goodies such as exquisite hand-sewn quilts from west Bengal, crisp cotton and organdie tunics, Berber scarves, lounging sofas and daybeds.
Cartier
This iconic French jeweler and watchmaker has impressive landmark headquarters. Downstairs, pearls, panthers and the Trinity ring jostle for attention among historic pieces commissioned by crowned heads; the upper salons house perfumer Mathilde Laurent's bespoke scents, starting at around €60,000.
Christian Louboutin
Every fashionista, WAG and shoe fiend worth her salt owns or hankers after a pair of Louboutin's trademark red-soled creations. The sculptural form of each design is displayed to maximum advantage in an individual frame. There's a made-to-measure service.
Didier Ludot
Didier Ludot's temples to vintage haute couture appear in Printemps, Harrods and New York's Barneys. The prices are steep, but the pieces are stunning: Dior, Molyneux, Balenciaga, Pucci, Féraud and, of course, Chanel, from the 1920s onwards. Ludot also curates exhibitions, using the exclusive shop windows around the Palais-Royal as a gallery.
Du Pareil au Même
Bright, cleverly designed basics for children aged three months to 14 years, at low prices. The Bébé branch, with fashionable accessories and clothing for kids up to two years, is a good source of gifts.
E Dehillerin
Suppliers to great chefs since 1820, this no-nonsense warehouse stocks just about every kitchen utensil ever invented. A saucepan from Dehillerin is for life.
Fifi Chachnil
Chachnil has a new approach to frou-frou underwear in the pin-up tradition. Her chic mixes - deep red silk bras with boudoir pink bows, and pale turquoise girdles with orange trim - will have ladies and their male admirers purring in delight. The transparent black babydoll negligées with an Empire-line bust are classic saucy retro.
Givenchy
In March 2008, Givenchy opened this new flagship Fbg-St-Honoré store for men's and women's prêt-à-porter and accessories. Designed by Jamie Fobert, who worked on the Tate, it incorporates surreal rooms within rooms - cut-out boxes filled with white, black or mahogany panelling - providing a contemporary art gallery setting for Givenchy's cutting-edge, sculptural and monochrome designs.
Hammam Med Centre
This hammam is hard to beat - spotless mosaic-tiled surroundings, flowered sarongs and a relaxing pool. The exotic 'Forfait florale' option (€139) will have you enveloped in rose petals and massaged with huile d'Argan from Morocco, and the more simple hammam and gommage followed by mint tea and pastries is €39. Plan to spend a few hours here, as the soft-voiced staff take things at their own pace.
