The best fashion and gift stores Brazil

The main competitor of Amsterdam Sauer with its 18 shops spread throughout the city. You can visit the workshops where you can see the goldsmiths at work. The visit, well organized, is commented by walkman, in French. The prices of the stones go from 30 reais to very high sums. There are rainbow necklaces, yellow topaz, red garnets, pink and green tourmalines, purple amethysts, aquamarines, and blue topaz. Each stone has its own identity card. At the end of the tour, a short visit to the shop, of course.

There is no city worthy of the name without a large bookstore, even if Brazilians are a bit book shy. The Livraria Cultura is the biggest bookshop in the city. It's huge, and you'll find foreign books as well as Brazilian ones. The store is divided in two on the ground floor. The smaller space groups together the fine books (plastic arts, photography, cinema, fashion, gastronomy...). On the first floor of the gallery, you will find the space of the Instituto Moreira Salles with various books on architecture and photography.

A large shopping mall inaugurated in 1963 and which, since the end of the 1970s, was gathering more and more record shops and a rock'n roll public. This is how the nickname "galeria do rock" became established and institutionalized! Today the number of shops dedicated to music and related items (T-shirts, decorative objects, videos, posters...) is still important. More recently the hip-hop culture has managed to make its place among the rockers, shops dedicated to this music and street art are located on the ground floor and basement.

Fortaleza is a paradise for shopping. The handicrafts are of high quality and the prices are much lower than in tourist cities like Bahia or Rio. Hundreds of merchants are located inside the central market of Fortaleza. They sell all kinds of products, always at very competitive prices. Ideal to find a straw hat, a little dress for the beach, sandals or even typical Ceará gourmet products. For some, the prices are higher than at the CEART market.

In the lower town, near the pier, there's a place we often visit before leaving Salvador, in search of gifts. In and around the Market, you'll find handicrafts, T-shirts and souvenirs of all kinds. There are lots of stalls, but the products are much the same and more expensive than in markets in other towns in the Nordeste. Many of the souvenirs are mass-produced and clearly intended to satisfy the demand of tourists alone. Still, it's an interesting stroll.

Havaianas are a must-have item to bring back from Brazil, for oneself or as a gift. In Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, there are shops dedicated to them. In this large store in the Jardins district, you can find the entire collection of the famous Havaianas flip-flops and make your own exclusive creations by mixing colours and accessories with the help of the staff. Riding the wave of success, the famous brand has expanded its product range. Normans will find great rubber boots. Flip-flops will be dressed up in beautiful finery.

Like Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador, João Pessoa also has a large popular market. On two floors, the 120 shops offer visitors more or less everything that the great diversity of Paraiban craftsmanship produces. Handicrafts, typical products, alcoholic beverages and many other products to buy. From the kitsch to the sophisticated, from the trinket to the expensive art object, you can make your purchases or walk between the stalls, just for the pleasure of the eyes.

Brazil is a land of precious stones. The Gemme is an exceptional house whose notoriety has been built in its ability to find ancient stones of very high quality and to enhance them, without betraying them, thanks to techniques and contemporary design. The Gem has brought back to life stones worn by Coco Chanel, Empress Josephine Bonaparte, Princess Soraya or King Farouk. Brazil is also a privileged field of exploration with its rare diamonds from the 18th and 19th centuries and the Art Deco period.

An American-style success story for Jules Sauer, an Alsatian who arrived in Brazil in 1939 at the age of 18 to make his fortune. Initially a diamond prospector, his personal qualities led him to start trading in precious stones and to open his first boutique in 1953 at the Copacabana Palace. Today, he is one of the country's leading jewellers. In his Ipanema shop, you can visit a museum that traces the Brazilian history of gemstones. Many of the brand's boutiques are located in luxury hotels.

Brazilians are fond of large American-style malls. The economic capital is no exception to this trend. In fact, it is certainly the paragon of this trend. The Shopping Morumbi is "the" shopping center of Paul. Nearly 500 shops of all kinds (decoration, fashion, bookstores, etc.) are located at Shopping Morumbi. For the youngest, the big attraction is the Hot Zumbi, a 2,000^m2 space with multiple games. There are also four cinemas, numerous snack bars and a few restaurants in the "praça da restauraçao".

Librairie Française is a must for lovers of French literature in São Paulo. Located in the city, it offers a wide selection of books in French, from literary classics to the latest releases. What's more, the Librairie Française regularly organizes literary events such as meetings with authors and book signings.

It is a Fnac, with a very nice coffee. Many cultural events are organized there.

For souvenirs and clothes.

The temple of consumerism in Bahia. Fashion and food stores, cinemas…

There are a dozen craftsmen.

There are stores that sell zero-rated products.

In the Funcionarios district, a market of antiques and typical dishes of the city. It takes place in the refreshing shade of the rows of trees that border it. On Saturdays, from 10am to 6pm, is the day of the food stalls on the Tom Jobim street. It is a real gastronomic festival in the open air. You will find a good sample of Minas Gerais dishes and drinks. Just next door, in the antiques fair, about twenty stands of antique dealers propose objects and pieces of antiques which attract the informed bargain hunters.

Carnival is an integral part of the life of the Cariocas, even if this year will not be marked by this rite, for the first time since 1912. In Casa Turna you will find everything for Carnival: indescribable costumes in feathers, sequins, rhinestones, to rent or to buy. The Mecca in this matter. Several other addresses in the Rua dos Passos to complete your festive outfit for D-Day! Of course, you'll be interested if you plan to attend this major event, and these can also be good gift ideas.