The name means "cheap" in French, but Le Bon Marché is anything but. Founded in 1852, it is the oldest department store in Paris and one of the first in the world. The building itself, with its iron-and-glass structure designed in part by Gustave Eiffel, is worth seeing even if you don't buy anything.
The ground floor carries luxury fashion and cosmetics, while the upper floors focus on homeware and stationery. Next door, La Grande Épicerie de Paris is one of the city's finest food halls -- shelves of artisan chocolate, olive oils, charcuterie, and an excellent prepared-food counter for a quick lunch. Less crowded than Galeries Lafayette and more refined than Printemps, it suits shoppers who prefer browsing without the tourist crush.