VIBE

As Coco Chanel famously opined, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” And ever since she launched her groundbreaking collection in 1913, she’s been helping women be just that, especially with pieces like her elegantly understated little black dresses, tailored suits, ballet flats, and quilted leather handbags. After Coco died in 1971, the label floundered for a time, but since Karl Lagerfeld stepped in in ’83, it’s flourished once again. The elegant black-and-cream shop on Rue Cambon is Chanel’s original location, and it remains a much-visited fashion landmark today.

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A black tie affair; long lasting elegant wardrobe staples

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s a classic. Whether or not Chanel is your look of choice, a visit to this temple of French chic is required of any fashion-savvy traveler.

GOOD TO KNOW

The legendary mirrored staircase in the boutique leads into Coco’s lavish personal apartments, which are now used for haute couture fittings. Chanel’s designs are also carried by Paris department stores Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marché.

OTHER LOCATIONS

1st Arr. (Paris); 8th Arr. - Ave. Montaigne (Paris); 8th Arr. - Rue Royal (Paris); 8th Arr. - Faubourg St.-Honoré (Paris); Cannes; Chamonix; Nice; various locations worldwide

CLOSEST COMPS

Christian Dior (Paris); Yves Saint Laurent (Paris)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Paris