1er Arrondissement: Shopping

A huge part of the 1st arrondissement is dedicated to shopping. Here, you will find a variety of shops ranging from the hautest of haute couture (that doesn't work but let's pretend it does) to crowd favorites such as Zara, Sephora, and H&M. 

One of the most famous squares in Paris is Place Vendôme. Located just north of the Tuileries gardens, the square plays host to the plush Hôtel Ritz (currently closed for a 2 year renovation - set to open in 2014), the Hôtel de Vendôme, the Ministry of Justice, several enterprises, lavish designer boutiques, and a few charmed (and extremely wealthy) residents.



The Place Vendôme was commissioned to rival the Place des Vosges (in the 4th). The buildings enclosing the square are characterized by their uniform facades. The Colonne d'Austerlitz was erected by Napoleon to commemorate his victory at Austerlitz. This defeat came with an extra gift - 1200 cannons from the Russian and Austrian armies, which were formed into the continuous ribbon of bas-relief bronze plates coating the column. If you look closely enough, you will see they tell the story of Napoleonic wars between 1805 and 1807.

Fun Fact: Known for his modesty, Napoleon installed a statue of himself to the column shortly after it was built. Eventually, it was dismantled to provide bronze for the recast of the Henry IV statue on the Pont Neuf. Napoleon III responded to this by installing a new statue of Napoleon in its place - in which he depicted his famous uncle as a Roman emperor. There were a lot of egos at play here....

All a girl needs is a simple pearl accessory.

Another fun fact: Coco Chanel used to live across the square in the Hôtel Ritz. 

While meandering through Paris, chances are you will stumble upon either a Passage or Galerie. These arcaded spaces can loosely be described as the precursor to the modern shopping mall - and are much more elegant and aesthetically pleasing. An entire network of over 140 galeries once wound itself through Paris, while only a handful exist today. The ones that are restored are exceptionally beautiful, commonly characterized by their innovative (for the time) use of glass, cast iron gates, and mosaic tiled floors. If you are interested, click here to learn of their locations.

A telltale sign I wandered here on a Sunday: closed shops. However, the Galerie du Palais Royal's proximity to the adjacent garden still attracts many passerby on the shopkeepers's day off.

One of the best things about galeries (and Paris in general) are all the specialty shops. Whimsical selections include:

pipes,

medals, 

and vintage designer clothing + accessories.

*All three stores can be found at the Galerie du Palais Royal.

The Galerie Vero-Dodat is tucked away in the 1st. Architecture-enthusiasts can revel in its beautifully-restored details while fashionistas can salivate outside (or inside if you're lucky!) Christian Louboutin, among other luxury boutiques. I especially love the slightly eery glow given off by the lamps, possibly evoking gas lamps of the past?

Along the Rue de Rivoli, you will find arcades bursting with tourist shops and small cafes. Its proximity to the Louvre across the street is all the evidence needed to typify this tourist-driven program, yet a few gems are dotted amongst the crowd (ahem, Angelina), ensuring that a carefully planned trip will be worth it. 

I love decorating with memorable pieces I've picked up while traveling, so I am having a heyday here with all of the unique shops. One of my favorites that I stumbled upon was Astier de Villatte. Unfortunately out of my price range (the luxurious student life!), this store is filled with yummy smelling candles, white-washed tableware, and intricately designed little knick-knacks. And no, I did not buy the steaks above.

To satiate your inner-chef, you must check out E. Dehillerin. The store is overflowing with kitchen goodies - ranging from a simple whisk to chef-grade pots and pans. I am my Mother's daughter as I love anything copper, brass, etc. so this window display was true eye candy - minus the discreet screen on the left. Although one of these gems might set you back a few hundred euros, there is quite a selection of of smaller-scale treats for gourmands on a budget, including cute Eiffel Tower cookie cutters (+ christmas themed ones in honor of the upcoming holiday).

I hope this gives you an idea of the variety of shopping in the 1st. There is so much to see; if you have the time I suggest taking a couple hours to meander and window-shop (this applies to anywhere in Paris)- you never know what you might find!

xo L