Bring an Extra Suitcase

If you are a foodie, you simply must come to Paris. Between the scrumptious markets, countless specialty stores and make-your-mouth-water restaurants, you won't know where to turn next. But it's not just the food itself that makes Paris a haven for culinary types. It's also the amazing section of high-quality cooking equipment you can purchase here, and no other store quite compares to the famous E. Dehillerin. Frequented by professional chefs and amateur cooks alike, you won't be able to resist this family-run Parisian landmark.

Commanding a highly visible corner near Les Halles, E. Dehillerin's two stories are chock-full of kitchen and dining room paraphernalia. You've never seen so any different sizes of whisks in your life. Need a tart pan? You're going to have to be more specific than that. They have non-stick tart pans, regular tart pans, round tart pans, heart-shaped tart pans, large tart pans, small tart pans and really small tart pans. Copper pots and pans are one of their specialties, and don't forget to pick up you very own mandoline, a classic French kitchen tool.

Although you can purchase some of their wares from their website, the online options represent only a tiny fraction of what you can pick up in the store. Famous chefs from around the world have been known to shop there, so be sure to keep a look out if you stop by. Of course, wading through the aisles of E. Dehillerin can be a daunting task. With so many things for sale, it can be difficult to make up your mind. I went a couple of weeks ago, but it was just an exploratory mission. I need time to mull over my options and decide what I eventually want to buy. While narrowing down my options won't be an easy thing to do, I'm thinking I might go for the wooden rolling pin, pineapple corer and crème brulée dishes. And a grapefruit spoon.