The best fashion and gift stores Bogotá

The "empêcher de penser en rond" for almost 40 years! A small bookstore offering a good selection of books (literature, novels, etc.), comics, and some travel guides (about the whole world), in French (and in Portuguese). It is located a few minutes walk from the French embassy and the Alliance française. The prices of the books are obviously a bit higher than in France (Belgium, Switzerland or Quebec), but Tiempos Futuros will allow you to renew your reading regularly if you live in Colombia.

This library has the reputation of being the best of the city. You will find a good collection of books of general culture, as well as beautiful books of photos and newspapers. Of course, the majority of books are in Spanish.

The most emblematic place in Bogotá to buy crafts. With its Turkish bazaar look, it is the first commercial center in Bogotá, founded in 1893. You can find objects of popular culture such as wooden horses, tejo and rana games, but also leather cases, baskets, ruanas, hammocks, mochilas, carrieles paisas... A nice popular atmosphere, but you can find nicer and finer things in the artisanal galleries of Carrera Séptima. Avoid going down beyond Carrera 10, the neighborhood is not safe.

The participatory program Sembrando Confianza offers peasant baskets from small producers in Bogotá and the surrounding region, with a focus on fair trade and responsible consumption. Home delivery every Thursday of individual, family or premium baskets, with options for vegans. Organic fruits and vegetables in season and artisanal products. There are even cheeses reminiscent of tomme or brie! These baskets generate a real support to small local producers, with fair prices and a personalized accompaniment.

Colombia is the world's leading emerald producer and Bogotá is the main trading center for this precious stone, extracted from the Muzo and Chivor mines in particular. The Emerald Trade Center is home to a hundred specialized stores, workshops and trading rooms. Prices are attractive (easily 30% cheaper than in France) and jewelry is sold with a certificate of authenticity. Other stores in the surrounding streets, and stone sellers on the sly Plazoleta del Rosario, in front of the building (refrain!).

This flea market is located in a parking lot, just a few steps from the Torre Colpatria, and will appeal to bargain hunters who will be able to find antiques, handicrafts and a variety of products, furniture, dishes, records, bicycles... Don't forget to bargain. For second-hand books (some of them in French), you can find them in this area, on the sidewalks of the Séptima, and a little further, on the side of the Parque Santander, in specialized stores (vinyls too).