If Paris never had the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre it would still be famous just for the shopping! The words fashion and chic were born here, no other city has so many exquisite shops and so many well known designers, it truly is a shoppers' paradise.

Label lovers should make a bee-line to Avenue Montaigne (Métro Champs Elysées Clémenceau) where some of the worlds most famous designers can be found (Chanel, Lacroix, Chloé, Dior) or the slightly less brash rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Métro Tuileries or Palais Royale) home to the concept store Colette, which has become a Mecca for anyone in the know. Indeed those who are looking for cutting edge, should head for the truly trend setting rue Etienne Marcel and the Place des Victoires (Métro Etienne Marcel) which has become a giant cat-walk for the young fashion gurus of Paris, or the cluster of up-and-coming labels found along the rue Charonne and the rue Keller (Métro Charonne or Bastille) - a must for any fashionista!

If you prefer a more leisurely pace you will enjoy the small windy streets of the Marais (Métro St-Paul) that offers a mix of kitsch and couture especially along the rue des Francs Bourgois which leads to the magnificent Place des Vosges.

Collectors will head to Saint Germain des Prés (Métro Saint Germain des Prés) or more precisely the rue du Seine, rue Jacob or rue du Bac, where the cobbled streets are lined with pristine antique shops, and the flea market at Saint-Ouen (Métro Porte de Clignancourt) where most of the city's antique dealers gather at the weekend.

Those who are looking for an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience should head for the department stores, the most famous being Printemps and Galleries Lafayette (Métro Chaussée d'Antin), rivals found side by side on the Boulevard Haussmann. Paris's equivalent to Harrods in London, both stores offer five floors of designer fashion, decoration and perfumes, as well as exquisite food halls.

Where to stay?

Coach House Vacation Rentals, the leading specialist in short term central London rentals (www.rentals.chslondon.com), have now opened in Paris - same quality rentals, same personal service. And - most important - English speaking management and representatives who will show you in, tell you about the local area and answer any questions you may have.

• English is the native language of all their reservations team and spoken fluently by all their staff in Paris.
• You are met by an English speaking representative who shows you in, tells you about the local area and answers any questions you may have.
• Each rental comes with its own mini-guide written in English and covering the neighbourhood shops, local transport, bars, restaurants and cafés, and emergency services.
• They operate an English speaking telephone help line to provide guests with answers to questions about Paris, what to do and see.
• An English speaking 24/7 number is also provided in the unlikely event of an emergency - such as losing keys.
• A car (usually with English speaking driver) to meet you at the airport and take you to your Paris rental can be arranged on request - by far the easiest way to get into town with lots of bags.

They currently have some 20 properties on offer including a large family house in the upscale 17th and quality apartments around Montmartre, in the 4th - The Marais and the 5th - The Latin Quarter.
Full details together with suggested itineraries and a helpful list of things to see and do can be found at: www.rentals.chsparis.com