Joie de Vivre

Hidden in the cobbled streets of Saint-Louis, Sergeant Recruiters is a unique, casual restaurant guaranteed to induce indulgence. Stepping inside you are transported to a Gothic renaissance era. The space is dotted with wrought iron chandeliers, candles and amours all set against a backdrop of rustic hardwood, pillars and rough stone.

Waiters are accommodating, working frantically to ensure Nobles, Lords and Ladies are content. After being seated at one of the tightly-set heavy tables, the procedure for the establishments €39 set-menu is explained.

The boisterous atmosphere starts to take hold as the first offerings of the banquet are laid; a basket of fresh vegetables, one of bread, a plate of pate, and as a signal of medieval wealth… a selection of meats (salami’s, sausage, etc). A tasteless murky broth, disguised as soup also arrives. To gleefully wash it all down, bottomless bottles of house wine and ale are poured.

Knowing that tonight, gluttony is the intent; the waiter arrives to take orders for the main meal. A choice of beef bourguignon, lamb, duck, salmon, chicken or the ever popular cassoulet (bean stew). As patrons, conversation and wine flow, so too does the food. Thoughts of not being able to consume another morsel soon vanish, surprisingly the platter of soft cheeses does as well… into growing belly’s. Given this is France; the selection of cheeses is feeble, showcasing only Camembert and blue-vein-types. Those with a sweet tooth are tempted with a selection of simple gateaux, sorbet and ice-cream. The wine and ale keep flowing, until the staff is seated at the next table and waiting to close for the night. The gauntlet has been dropped.

A jaunt to Sergeant Recruiters is a guaranteed night of intemperance.

Galeries Lafayette is the most prestigious and exquisite department store in Paris. Renowned for its jaw-dropping window displays, your hopes are fulfilled before even entering its doors.

Classified as an historic monument because of its 33 metre-high glass decorated dome, tourists and locals pile up to enjoy a taste of shopping heaven.

Inside an endless succession of fashion, shoes and accessories cover 10 floors. The ground floor, is a dream world of cosmetics, jewelry and handbags. One floor up and you begin your exploration of international women’s fashion, with brand names like Gucci, Chloe, Diesel, Zara, Ralph Lauren and a distinctive emphasis on upcoming designers. The store is well-known for its support of French fashion designers like Christian Dior, Chanel, Comme des Garcon, Tara Jarmon and Jean Paul Gaultier (who has his Philippe Starck designed concept store here).

The distinctive difference with this department store is that the apparel is segmented by the customer’s personality and not their age or buying power, they are made to feel comfortable on each fashion floor (basically, by the displaying of the more expensive brands next to the more affordable). The first floor is intended to show vibrant, ready-to-wear labels. The second, a more classic feel with sportswear and urban collections. The third floor introduces seductive fashion.

Keeping the entire family in mind, you will find children’s fashion on the fifth floor (look for Baby Dior, Petit Bateau and baby Bjorn), an adjacent building houses stylish menswear and sportswear. Directly across the street "Lafayette Maison" is 10,000 square metres entirely dedicated to home decoration and gourmet delights. With 12 restaurants to choose from, including Maxim’s and Le Laurie, the appetite you work up whilst shopping will be suitably filled.

No matter when you visit, there’s always something happening at Galeries Lafayette. From daily fashion shows at "Salon Opera" (on the 7th floor), to creative exhibits, designer competitions, make-up workshops and cooking classes, it truly proves to be a shopping Mecca.