Manufacturers are now producing high quality goods. They are good because they are not mass produced for world consumption

5. Paris

Getting around: 6 Value: 6 Variety: 8 Experience: 9 Total: 29
The best shops in Paris don't sell clothes. They sell lifestyles.
Whimsical concept shop Merci stocks a selection of designer goods that fall under the category of utterly useless but absolutely desirable, such as art deco Bakelite switches. It's housed in an airy and vaguely bucolic space that includes a secondhand bookshop, florist and café. In addition to the Annick Goutal scent line, Merci stocks apparel by Stella McCartney and Yves St Laurent, often with deep discounts.
Colette offers reduced prices on designer goods. Then again, if you're like us, whatever you save on a Fendi dress might be spent on stylin' necessities like a bottle of Bling H2O, which comes in a frosted glass bottle decorated with Swarovski crystals. It's available for about US$50 at the downstairs "water bar," which has more than 70 brands of bottled water.
And, of course, there's the holy trinity of Parisian department stores:
Le Bon Marché dates to the 1850s. It's famed for a monster section of gourmet food (5,000 choices strong).
Printemps has the world's largest beauty department. This year the store is partnering with Christian Dior for an exclusive line.
Extravagant Galeries Lafayette is housed in a seven-story art nouveau structure with an entire floor dedicated to lingerie. Every Friday at 3 p.m. there's a free fashion show with English commentary. Reservations required, either by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].
Whip out the plastic at:
Le Bon Marché, 24, rue de Sèvres, Seventh Arrondissement, Paris; [phone]; Monday-Wednesday, Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Printemps, 64, boulevard Haussmann, Ninth Arrondissement, Paris; [phone]; Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. except for Thursday open 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Galeries Lafayette, 40, boulevard Haussmann, Ninth Arrondissement, Paris; [phone]; Monday-Wednesday, Friday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Merci, 111, boulevard Beaumarchais, Third Arrondissement, Paris; [phone]; Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Colette, 213, rue St.-Honoré, First Arrondissement, Paris; [phone]; Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Best of Paris shopping: The street market guide