C&A

C&A may have left Britain years ago, but it’s still alive and kicking in France. The rue de Rivoli branch (one of four in central Paris) is in a handy spot in Châtelet, sandwiched between H&M and Le Forum des Halles – two other cheap shopping Eldorados.  It’s like stepping into a time warp, with the standardized C&A interior décor looking just as it did 20 years ago; but that's strangely reassuring: the lingerie section is still hard to beat for its price-quality ratio and you can still pick up decent wardrobe staples (t-shirts, trousers, tops etc...) at bargain prices.