Au Bon Marche

Le Bon Marche (which loosely translates as “The Good Deal”) is one of the oldest and best-known department stores in Paris. In fact, it is reputed to be the first department store to exist in the world. It began as a small Parisian shop in the early 1850s, and grew to become the huge success it is today. Located on the famed Left Bank, it is an imposing edifice, which takes up an entire street corner. It is a beautiful building, designed in part by Gustav Eiffel, and the inside is a glittering, brightly lit hodge-podge of house wares, clothing, gifts, cosmetics, you name it. It is built on an open plan, with escalators gliding effortlessly between the floors. Unlike most department stores, le Bon Marche has a grocery department, which specializes in hard to find gourmet items from around the world, and le Bon Marche is famous for its high standards; everything in the store, from mineral water to lipstick to men’s hats is of the highest quality. Le Bon Marche is a shopper’s paradise, and you could easily spend an entire day exploring the wealth of items available, and it contains a beauty salon and a restaurant and cafe, so you never have to leave!

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