Le Printemps

Planning on hitting the shops in Paris? It’s less than 5 minutes on foot from the hotel to Printemps. The company’s flagship department store on Boulevard Haussmann has been attracting Parisian shoppers since 1865, and it was the first store to be fitted with electricity. Before popping in, make sure you photograph the building’s Haussmannian facade, registered as a historic monument.

Once inside, you can load up on luxury fashion, beauty and homeware brands as well as gourmet food. Head up to the panoramic terrace on the ninth floor for views of the Paris Opera, Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.

Pause for lunch in the elegant Brasserie Printemps, beneath the dome of the store’s soaring art deco cupola with its colourful stained glass. Bilingual personal shoppers are on hand, and if you find yourself laden down with bags, delivery is available to Paris hotels or your home address.