The best fashion and gift stores Brazil

The most visited stone shop in the city.

Places of culture are universally places of exchange and fulfilment that must be promoted and defended. The "Toca de Vinicius" is one of these places of culture in Ipanema. More than a bookstore, this shop is a true cultural centre of the bossa nova with a selection of books but also CDs (a little expensive), methods, concerts, video sessions and thematic conferences on the musical genre. On Sunday evenings, music on the sidewalk. You will find quality records and books.

This is the city centre shopping.

Small shopping located in the centre of the city.

In the premises of the former Amorim factory Costa, a handicraft market and the theatre Fernando Santa Cruz.

Closed for work.

The feira da torre is an alternative to the Guara market. Located at the foot of the imposing television tower, BSB's spatial marker, it is above all a craft market, a little less diversified than that of Guara and its 600 stalls, but one can stroll there with pleasure. Leather, handicrafts, jewelry, wooden furniture, dried flowers, toys, clothes, the sources of inspiration will not fail to bring back some souvenirs of Brasilia... This is the most traditional market in the city. Ideal to eat on the go on Sunday lunchtime! To know.

Ouro Preto is full of small shops selling precious and semi-precious stones, at prices that remain rather attractive and for quality products in the shops that have a street address. Casa do Topázio is one of the best places (among many others) to shop. The sellers issue certificates of authenticity for the pieces you buy. Ask for them, but in the serious houses which hold their reputation, like the Casa do Topazio, this precious sesame for the return in France.

Along the mythical beach, fairs with a friendly atmosphere make it possible to finalize the gifts. Two addresses on the Avenida Atlântica to buy a myriad of trinkets (wooden sculptures, plastic wallets, drumsticks for caipirinha ...), football T-shirts, paintings (some of them rather successful), of pareos, Havaianas flip-flops... The first one in front of the praça do Lido (before the Porto Bay Internacional Hotel), the second one at Posto 5, on the central square of the avenue (in front of the Othon Palace Hotel). Nice and central!

This is Rio's best-known Nordeste fair. Its origins lie in the massive influx of immigrants from the Northeast to Rio in the 1940s, in search of a better life. The fair attracts more than 60,000 people on weekends, who come to buy handicrafts, cook or dance the forró. The refurbished "Luiz Gonzaga Cultural Space", named after the great singer, is now very well organized. Be careful at night, as the area is not very safe.

As in many places in the world, embroidery continues to be a traditional craft activity. It is in the Rendeiras street (literally street of the embroiderers), in the fishermen's district of Pontal da Barra, that the women who make the filé, a typical embroidery of the state of Alagoas, gather. You can see them making the pieces directly and it is difficult to leave empty-handed. In this popular and pleasant district, you will find many stalls dedicated to this traditional art, at very affordable prices. In short, a "smart" purchase.

The Casa do Artesão, located in the old prison of the city, is now a shop where about fifty local craftsmen work with wood, leather, ceramics, clay pottery, crochet, seeds, paintings, fish leather, among other materials. In addition to the crafts, you can learn a little about the history of the area. The building housed the public prison of Corumbá for several years, from 1905 to 1970. The site is a bit lacking in maintenance. Very good place to buy souvenirs.

Brazil, especially since the return of democracy, and in particular since the Lula and Dilma Rousseff governments, has worked actively to combat poverty, illiteracy and social exclusion, the three being often linked. The rustic Casa de Massabarro is a center for work assistance that promotes Pantaneiro crafts. One will find there clay souvenirs, which reproduce the fauna and the flora of the Pantanal in a spirit of solidarity trade. The schooling of the apprentices is encouraged while teaching them the art of ceramics.

This shop is entirely dedicated to the promotion of the federal capital, with its logo or representations on everything that can be offered... or even on what is too kitsch to be offered. But this is a matter of taste of course! Brasilia's design printed on t-shirts, mugs, glasses and other objects. Take home the typical signs of the capital or maybe a L2 Sul tableware! In short, everything that is "made in BSB" can be found here and is available in all its forms. For the latest gift ideas....

In the pleasant Bom Fim street, it is impossible not to fall under the charm of this small shop inside a white house with blue windows. Here rings, bracelets, earrings and all sorts of jewellery are made by a young couple of artists. Silver and gold are worked in a traditional way following the filigree technique. The jewels are made on the spot and are sold on the spot. You can make a beautiful gift for less than R$300. It is written that they are "made from the heart" and it shows.

In the historic building dating from 1749, a handicraft centre, a museum of precious stones and a cultural space operate. The town council has chosen an architectural modernisation that combines the original structures of the Capuchin monastery with designer structures made of glass and iron. The visitor will be able to see an exhibition of Marajoara ceramics and jewellery made on site. Ideal for an original and local souvenir. This venerable establishment has changed function many times (convent, barracks, prison, town hall and finally museum).

This flea market of antiques, vinyl, jewelry, crafts, accessories, with food and music stands is held every Saturday. The markets of Ouro Preto always take on a special dimension, wedged between the majesty of the baroque churches and the magic of the morning mists. Thrift shops, foodbikes, the Hannah and Senhora do Rosario restaurants... on the circuit of the secret Rosario path, the atmosphere is festive and eclectic. Bobos, tourists, hippies selling energizing stones, painters...A change of scenery is guaranteed.

This craft fair in the Savassi district is managed by the Mineira Association of Independent Artists. It consists of an art fair, a vinyl fair, well known to Montpellier record collectors and a "bazaar" shop. Here is a small craft market more arty than the main craft market on Sunday. Ideal to find nice gifts to bring back. DJs looking for rare items may find their happiness here.

Brazilians, like Westerners in general, love shopping malls. Leblon Shopping reflects the socio-economic profile of the neighbourhood. It is certainly the most chic shopping centre in the Zona Sul, if not in all of Rio. In a rather cool atmosphere (air-conditioning obliges) the luxury ready-to-wear brands follow one another, but also some nice addresses for lunch (we recommend the Rascal, on the^3rd floor of the store) or to drink a coffee (Starbucks!). Walking around is a spectacle in itself.

The Guarani community proposes a varied handicraft (baskets, jewels) resulting from the techniques and the local products (seeds, palms...). The notion of fair trade takes all its dimension here, since there are no intermediaries between the producer and the buyer. A place to know for a human tourism which values the local production. If you don't have time to go there, the Indians of the community are present every day in the main street of the historical center and sell their handicrafts, of excellent quality. Highly recommended.

This artist carves saints and paints biblical scenes and misty landscapes whose reputation has gone far beyond the Minas Mountains, and rightly so. It is said in the art world of the former Vila Rica that you should visit Elias Layon's studio before visiting the first capital of Minas Gerais. The omnipresent mists in the paintings of the master will tint with permanent poetry the vision that the traveler, from here or elsewhere, will have of the city of Ouro Preto.

The Brique da Redençao is another local institution in gaucho country. It was inspired by a typical Montevideo fair. About 300 stands of handicrafts, souvenirs and antiques, as well as small open-air restaurants become the heart of this Sunday animation. You can find everything from the most kitschy to the tasteful original. A little tired? The food stalls offer pasteis, empanadas, quiches... We revisit the world cuisine. One of the locals' favourite Sunday strolls.

In this shop, which offers the creations of an association of 20 women-artisans, you will find many pieces (each of which bears a label with the name of the artisan, to whom the profits of the sale are donated): beach dresses, vests, scarves, jewelry, bags... most of them made with crochet, which is very popular in Brazil. The shop has also diversified, thanks to the help of the governmental organization Cagece, into the production of recycled plastic bags

Since 1969, just a few years after the founding of the federal capital, the Guara Fair has been one of the most dynamic commercial spaces in the city. Fashion and food come together in one of the most traditional markets in the city. There are more than 600 stands of all kinds. It is possible to eat on the spot. The atmosphere is a bit chaotic with vendors trying to attract the attention of customers.

To get there: the market is far from the center of Brasília, but with the subway it is easy to get there

The Carioca Athos Bulcao (1918-2008) is one of the most prominent contemporary artists in Brazil. The Athos Bulcao Foundation shop sells a wide variety of objects with designs signed by the artist. This is an opportunity to bring home a decorative azulejo in the same colours as those in the city park or in the small church on the south side. There are also mugs, T-shirts, silk-screen prints and even umbrellas. Beautiful souvenirs that also help to preserve the memory of this great Brazilian master. The foundation teaches underprivileged youth.

Several units of this colonial building are reserved for the sale of crafts of local native Indian tribes (wickers, ceramics, jewelry, hammocks…). Prices for artisanal products are a little high, but they guarantee decent income to the indigenous communities that produce them, since profits are directly returned.

At the Sesc Arsenal, every Thursday from 5 p. m., the «Bulixo», a Brazilian handicraft and gastronomy fair, is held in a popular atmosphere. The opportunity to impregnate the local atmosphere cuiabana.

A modern shopping in a large cube of air-conditioned concrete.

It was used as an asylum until 1945 and was restored in 1969. Large choice of hammocks in cotton fibre, 4.20 m by 3.80 m, nap for 2 people. Any lace or elaborate lace: tablecloths, trivets, small wind messengers (aluminium chimes and wooden bumblebees), berimbaus, lace lampshades. The art gallery houses porcelain, religious objects, fossils and paintings by Dorian Gray. Sisal doilies, light and translucent. From the restaurant, you can see the bay.

The bikini is associated with the beaches of Rio. You can buy them on all the beaches of the country at street vendors (which also have a terminal for credit cards). But the Mecca of the bikini has a name, it's the Bum Bum store. Bum bum literally means "the buttocks". In short, this brand of swimwear do Brasil is the best known for dressing the beautiful Cariocas and Brazilian women in general. You can find them at (almost) any price but in this neighborhood, quality has a price... rather high.

One comes to the Mercado São José to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the popular Recife and to admire its French market architecture. More than 500 merchants have their stalls in this beautiful building inaugurated in 1875 and many more in the surroundings. Handicrafts, typical products, food, medicinal herbs, religious objects... the variety is enormous! Probably the best place to buy souvenirs and meet the locals. It is a popular place, so stay discreet, no ostentation, no big bags, no jewels.

Near the Porto imperial pousada, the Flavia Aranha concept store is a beautiful encounter. To enter this store, you have to take off your shoes to walk in the sand. This is probably to shed light on the approach of the brand from Sao Paulo, which offers women's clothing made with respect for the people who collaborate in the project and the environment. All dyes are natural and the manufacturing process integrates traditional techniques in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Just a stone's throw from the famous Copacabana Palace, Rio Copa Moda offers all kinds of Rio gifts and souvenirs. You'll find a wide choice of products at affordable prices and a warm welcome. The owner is French and will be happy to advise you on your purchases. Choose from traditional Havaianas, Rio stickers, pareos for yourself or as gifts, caipirinha kits, T-shirts for men, women and children. In short, everything you need to bring a bit of Rio de Janeiro home with you.