European Fashion Destinations

Paris

Paris’s reputation for fashion and beauty goes without saying. All of the biggest names have a presence in Paris. Head down the boulevard Champs Elysee for global brands in their individual stores.

The biggest department store in Paris is the Galeries Lafayette. There is one on the Champs Elysee but their flagship store is on Boulevard Haussmann. Topped by a large glass dome, there are eight floors of beauty and fashion including all of the big designer names you would expect to see in the heart of Paris. With several restaurants and pop-ups throughout the store, there is everything you could want in a shopping and dining experience.

The store is open from 10am until 8.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 8pm on a Sunday.

Also on Boulevard Haussmann is Le Printemps department store. Similar to the Galeries Lafayette it is slightly less touristy but still worth a look.

Milan

There’s no getting away from Milan’s reputation for fashion.

The most famous shopping streets are in the Quadrilatero della Moda featuring Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga for ultra-luxury brands. For high-street brands, you should go to Corso Buenos.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping arcades, is itself a 19th-century architectural wonder capped by a large glass dome on the ceiling which lets the light flood in.

The arcade links the Duomo with La Scala and is a popular walkway with locals and tourists. Stroll through the arcade and admire the mosaics on the walls while checking out the latest fashions from designers such as Versace and Prada.

Madrid

If you’ve done lots of sightseeing and are ready to go shopping, head for the Gran Via. A long, wide boulevard it is flanked on both sides by bars, restaurants, museums and shops including major Spanish brands such as Zara and Mango.

For high end designer shopping browse the Golden Mile in the district of Salamanca.