The best fashion and gift stores Kathmandu

It's more a succession of stands on a tiny surface than a market (let's be clear!). An excellent place to find a more or less unusual or traditional memory. Think about trading.

If you're looking for a book about the Himalayas, this is the place to go! Unquestionably the best bookstore in Kathmandu, ravaged by a fire but rebuilt and still as rich as ever with references on Nepal and Tibet. There are also quite a few books on trekking, Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, Central Asia, local cuisine, or even indigenous flora and fauna. The adjoining café-restaurant is very nice. Some handicrafts are also on sale: postcards, rare books..

This former Rana palace, built around five small courtyards each leading to a maze of alleyways, is home to a host of luxurious boutiques and artisanal stores, galleries and chic restaurants. Prices are as high as the place itself: top-of-the-range. Even if your budget doesn't allow you to splurge on a cashmere scarf, a piece of jewelry or a flamboyant piece of furniture, the complex itself is well worth a visit and a stroll. The peace and quiet found here is a real luxury, and you're never far from discovering a hidden gem.

South of Thamel, the bazaar of Asan Tole is more a succession of stands than a market. You can find everything: fruits and vegetables, teas, meats, copper utensils, sculptures, singing bowls, jewellery, spices, trekking equipment... not always made in Tibet (check the provenance as much as possible and negotiate firmly!). We will come more for the rather unique atmosphere than to do business. A must-see walk that will often take you to hidden temples.

Here's a real concept store that has nothing to envy of the designer boutiques of Paris or New York, except that here the prices are more than affordable for a French wallet. It has a French name, which is so chic, but only sells beautifully crafted Nepalese products. Starting with magnificent ceramics from the factory in the pottery village of Thimi near Bhaktapur, and beautiful stationery and Woven kits in Nepalese cotton and buffalo leather. We warn you, we want to buy everything.

Only 5 minutes walk from the French Embassy (you have to go 50m past the Lazimpat Café Gallery), this fair trade shop produces, markets and exports Nepalese handicrafts. Each purchase from Mahaguthi directly helps those involved in the supply and production chain (most often women and workers from remote areas): 68% of sales go to the artisans of the products.

If the store does not shine by its organization, its shelves offer a more extensive choice of novels than in other bookstores.