I came, I saw, I shopped: Paris, je t’aime!

They say you go to Paris to fall in love, and I did. I fell hard, over and over again. On leaving the vaulted glass ceiling of King's Cross, sipping champagne watching London disappear behind me, at sunrise the next morning when the pinks of the sky jostled for space behind the thousands of chimneys and slated roofs, when every corner I turned had me reaching for the camera as I realised that everything I had hoped the city would be turned out to be true.

As if the heady romance of this truly beautiful city was not reason enough for me to finally visit, I have now discovered, thanks to the Concorde Hotel shopping package, that not only is Paris is a wonderful place to sightsee but it's also an incredible place to shop.

The hotel

Concorde hotels have quite simply come up with a fashion fan's ultimate holiday package. Concorde Shopping entitles its guest to luxury accommodation in the heart of Paris and a selection of discounts and VIP experiences at a host of the city's premium boutiques; an experience just waiting to be reviewed by a self-confessed shopping devotee!

On arriving at the hotel late Sunday evening, the concierge at the Hotel St-Lazare (+33 (0) 1 40 08 44 44, www.concorde-hotels.com) whipped our bags off to our rooms and as I crossed the threshold of the lobby, the hustle of the streets subsided and the grandeur of this historical hotel took over the siege of my senses.

Built at the end of the 19th century, the hotel has retained the Haussmanian architecture that is so uniquely Parisian and its listed grand lobby is a vision of polished marble, velvet chairs and opulent murals. The Golden Black Bar and the hotel's restaurant Café Terminus, equally celebrate the legacy of the building while simultaneously feeling effortlessly modern. I found out as I sat in the restaurant, eating silky scallops on a bed of leeks and enjoying expertly chosen Chardonnay, that the room had in fact been designed by fashion designer Sonia Rykiel and I couldn't imagine a more fitting start to this most sartorial of trips.

Following my bags up to the junior suite that was to be my home for the next two nights, I made my way along a meandering corridor of plush dark wood doors. The St-Lazare's junior suites are spacious and oh-so chic, decorated in warm tones, with an enormous all-white bathroom and a lounge area sporting tartan sofas - perfect for the incoming shopping bags that I later threw across them. The bed was a thing of beauty, large enough for four, and with pillows so soft the journey just melted away as soon as my head hit them. I was soon ready for my assault on the stores.

Printemps, Fauchon and Baccarat

Having woken to a pink Parisian sky, breakfast at Printemps (64, boulevard Haussmann, www.departmentstoreparis.printemps.com) awaited. A mere stroll from the hotel, Paris's premier department store consists of three giant buildings, all internally linked, and dedicated to shopping. Menswear, womenswear and the world's largest beauty department all vie for your custom, and having refuelled under its giant Art Deco glass dome, it was time to see what Printemps had to offer.

Reassuringly full of Parisians stopping for breakfast at the Ladurée tea room, there was none of the novelty tourist gifts that can often mar a trip to Harrods and despite the store's size, it's actually incredibly easy to navigate. Weaving in between displays of Comptoir des Cotonniers and Vanessa Bruno or lovingly ogling the designer floor, I felt surprisingly at ease and enjoyed listening to the chic customers no doubt talking their way into another purchase of another pair of shoes; shopping speak translates whatever the language I find.

As an ode to Ms Rykiel I flashed my discount card and plumped for a pair of the softest leopard-print socks emblazoned with her name, before treating myself to a box of pistachio Ladurée macaroons, or as I like to call them, heaven wrapped in ribbon. Before we left I headed to the ninth-floor terrace café to take in the panoramic views of the city bathed in crisp autumn sun. From every angle it was breathtaking and my unequivocal recommendation for a post-shop coffee.

If Printemps is Paris' Selfridges then our next stop was its Fortnum & Mason hence my excitement as we walked down the tree-lined streets to Le Madeleine and the fuchsia-pink café at Fauchon (24-26 place de Madeleine, www.fauchon.com).

Renowned for its rows and rows of preserves, chocolates and foodie gifts, Fauchon's café did not disappoint. Perfectly boiled eggs with asparagus soldiers set the tone before being royally upstaged by the most delicious lemon sole in butter sauce I have ever tasted. The store's specialty is it éclairs so it would have been rude not to sample some and I'm pleased to say that they were as light as a feather but satisfyingly indulgent. The store fortunately has an online shop which is just as well because I would have found it hard to justify return trips just to buy the exquisite strawberry jam although, believe me, it is so worth it!

Appetite sated, it was back to the shops and a beautiful Paris afternoon, spent walking the length of boutique-laden Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the enchanting Jardin des Tuileries. The autumn light bounced off the architecture and the vintage Metro signs as I made my way back to the hotel to get ready for an evening at luxury crystal-makers Baccarat, and its renowned restaurant The Crystal Room.

Baccarat (www.baccarat.com) is a name synonymous with luxury, with its signature handmade crystal chandeliers and glasses selling for tens of thousands of pounds to a very exclusive clientele. As part of the Saint-Lazare package we donned our glad rags and set out for an interesting tour of the Baccarat museum and expansive archive followed by dinner at The Crystal Room, a restaurant so exclusive that Eva Longoria held her pre-wedding dinner there.

With no more than 15 tables, the restaurant exudes exclusivity, the bare brick walls juxtaposed with the brand's signature chandeliers and cameo murals are a striking yet chic contrast. After the now-obligatory champagne to start, the indulgent meal of sea bream, risotto and chicken with chanterelle mushrooms followed by raspberry dessert was heavenly - a suitably decadent end to my first day in Paris.

Finish with fragrance

Having slept like a baby and languished in the power shower, the next day saw us heading for the hotel's buffet breakfast before setting off for a morning of fine fragrance at Annick Goutal . In the breakfast room there was a huge variety of international breakfast favourites to choose from. Japanese noodles sat beside stacks of American pancakes and scrambled eggs, while the granola and fruit was teamed with adorable glass jars of yoghurt.

Despite the rainy morning Paris managed to look just as inviting as we weaved our way across town, until we arrived at our sweet smelling destination. Annick Goutal (+33 (0)1 45 53 22 61, www.annickgoutal.com) is a Parisian wonder, a high perfumery house dedicated to creating scents that evoke memories and emotions. Each exquisite bottle, inspired by an antique find discovered by Annick herself, has a story attached to it and is made from only the finest raw materials.

Walking into the store on avenue Victor Hugo the delicate fragrances merge and you feel as if you are walking into a chic boudoir with row upon row of gold-topped bottles on French dressers. Meeting store manager Nadine was a complete pleasure as her infectious enthusiasm for the brand quickly spread through us all. She has a knack for choosing just the right fragrance for an individual on sight, which she proved with aplomb, knowing instantly that I loved white flowers and that Eau de Charlotte was the pretty bottle for me. I haven't used another fragrance since. The skincare range is equally luxurious and the rose face mask has now become a firm favourite. Leaving without buying just was not an option and the 10% Concorde discount made the purchase of my Christmas scented candle all the sweeter.

Sitting on the Eurostar later that afternoon, I felt a genuine pang of regret at leaving so soon and equally strong resolve to return as soon as possible. As far as first impressions go, Paris has left an indelible mark on me and the Concorde Shopping package is a wonderful way for first-timers or regular city visitors to enjoy the incredible shopping opportunities from the most luxurious of bases at the Saint-Lazare. 

Further information

The Concorde Shopping package costs from £176 and includes: accommodation and breakfast at the Saint-Lazare; 10% discount at Printemps, Fauchon, Annick Goutal, plus tours, VIP services; €10 gift card at Sephora and 10% discount from Avis. For more information visit www.concorde-hotels.com

You might also like...

Go shopping with the girls: city shopping breaks

Enjoy a taste of France: French food recipe ideas

Planning a weekend break? How to pack for your trip