Paris' famous department store on the Côte d'Azur

Word to the wise: Take a break from shopping at top-floor restaurant La Table d'Hédiard. You'll glimpse excellent views of the city while enjoying delicious and reasonably-priced French fare.

Concealed under the dusky pink arches of Place Massena, the Nice branch of France's most famous department store offers six floors of unchecked consumer bliss.

Classic brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Cartier and Christian Lacroix are all given their justified airing but so too are more affordable and youthful labels such as Zadig et Voltaire, Paul & Joe, Cheap Monday and Dsquared2.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, the store has a top floor café and restaurant but hardened foodies will probably prefer to rummage around the substantial gourmet food hall which is located on the basement level.