Strasbourg

Luxury shops and little boutiques cater to all tastes in the historical centre, a semi-pedestrian precinct, which is Strasbourg’s main shopping area. Rue des Grandes Arcades, between Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg, is, along with Grand’rue, your best bet for clothes, gifts and decoration. All the alleys starting from these streets are chock full of small shops.

A market and a massive shopping centre, located north of the historical centre, Place des Halles is a great place for getting all your shopping done under the same roof – from food to computers and sportswear.

Visitors would regret leaving the Strasbourg region without paying a visit to the Riesling, Sylvaner and other Tokay pinot gris vineyards, which stretch around the city. Cellars sell their own wines after tasting, and prices are generally cheaper than in wine shops of the centre.

Stalls line up on Saturday mornings to sell locally produced everything, including produce, wine, honey, flowers and even foie gras.

This specialty boutique carries hundreds of varieties of beer, from all over the world. Not only can visitors try and take home an exotic and exciting Belgian beer, but also shop for unique glassware and beer memorabilia.

If you're looking to buy books during your time in Strasbourg, there is only one place you should go: Librairie Quai des Brumes. As famous for the great selection of books as for the attentive and warm personnel, this is a "general" independent bookshop, meaning that you can find books on all kinds of topics.