3 reasons why Paris’ La Vallée Village is a must-visit for shopaholics

Produced by SilverKris for La Vallée Village 

Paris, the city of love and light, has always been at the forefront of the fashion scene. And for the past 20 years, there’s been one place that savvy shopaholics can’t get enough of: La Vallée Village. 

Get ready to shop till you drop at this open-air boutique haven, conveniently located just 40 minutes away from the heart of Paris and a mere 5 minutes from Disney® parks. With over 110 leading fashion and luxury brands, La Vallée Village is the ultimate shopaholic’s paradise. 

 

1. A boutique wonderland

La Vallée Village is home to over 110 boutiques, featuring both French and international fashion labels. While most shopping outlets tend to be unassuming and run-of-the-mill locations, La Vallée Village looks like something out of a postcard. It’s nestled in a charming village, with tree-lined pedestrian streets, low-rise houses with pastel-coloured facades and lush surrounds. 

There’s something for every sartorial choice, whether you’re looking for casual-chic, trendy, or timeless. Explore cutting-edge brands like J.M. Weston, high-end ready-to-wear from N.Peal and Lancel, or casual chic fashion from ba&sh, Paul Smith, The Kooples, and Hackett London. There are also plenty of accessories and children’s fashion stores.  

With its tree-lined pedestrian streets and charming storefronts, La Vallée Village looks like something out of a postcard. Photo: La Vallée Village

2. Five-star services and amenities

But it’s not just about the shopping – La Vallée Village promises a five-star, stress-free shopping experience. Arrive in style by hopping on the exclusive luxury coach service from central Paris or take the La Vallée shuttle bus from Disneyland Hotels and Val de France. Once you’re there, you’ll be greeted by a dedicated Concierge Services team, ready to assist you with their multilingual staff.  

If you’re planning a full day of shopping, but are concerned about lugging your haul around, fret not. Leave your purchases at the boutiques and collect them later, all at once – the true joy of hands-free shopping. And don’t forget to share your fabulous La Vallée Village experience with your friends using the free Wi-Fi available throughout the village.  

Enjoy a stress-free, five-star shopping experience at La Vallée Village. Photo: La Vallée Village

Enjoy a range of other services, including a VIP lounge, phone charging stations, convenient shipping services and personal shoppers to enhance your shopping experience.  

 

3. The world’s best brands at the best prices 

But here’s the real deal: La Vallée Village offers year-round discounts on last season’s collections, meaning you can snag your favourite goodies at up to 60% off (depending on the season, boutique and recommended retail price) compared to other retail networks. And if that wasn’t enough, non-EU residents can take advantage of the tax-free shopping and claim 12% tax back on their purchases over 100 euros per boutique. It’s luxury shopping at steal prices, darling!  

The transparent pricing policy at La Vallée Village ensures that each price tag indicates the original price of the items, as well as the special La Vallée Village price. Savvy shoppers will appreciate this price transparency and the opportunity to buy luxury fashion at unbeatable prices. 

Savvy shoppers will appreciate the unbeatable prices on offer, with most items priced at a minimum of 33% off its usual retail price. Photo: La Vallée Village

Tip: If you’re a Singapore Airlines frequent flyer, you can earn 1.25 miles for every euro spent in the village. 

 

How to get to La Vallee Village 

La Vallée Village is easily accessible from Paris with the Shopping Express® shuttle service departing twice daily from the Bercy district. The shuttle ride takes approximately 40 minutes, while the RER A train to the “Val d’Europe” station is just a few minutes’ walk away. 

During the holiday season, La Vallée Village becomes even more enchanting with festive decorations and a vibrant calendar of events. Enjoy live gospel music, DJ sets, astrology workshops, a parade of dancers, special prizes, and late-night parties until 10 pm. 

La Vallée Village is open seven days a week, so there’s no excuse not to indulge in retail therapy while you’re in Paris. Make sure this fashion haven is at the top of your itinerary, and get ready to shop like a true fashionista. 

 

For more information, visit La Vallée Village website. 

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Explore Asia’s iconic culinary delights with Singapore Airlines

Flying with Singapore Airlines (SIA) means more than just reaching over 130 destinations worldwide. It’s also about savouring iconic Asian comfort dishes, even on short flights. Explore more than 40 regional dishes through SIA’s in-flight menu, which will take your taste buds across Asia before you even touch down. 

Here are but four must-haves when it comes to Asian cuisine. Check out what you can expect when you taste them on board, and where you can find great options when you travel to their places of origin. 

The springy delight of Japanese yakisoba

This hearty fried noodle is relatively modern, having first appeared in Japan in the 1930s. It’s since become immensely popular throughout the country and available at all hours of the day.

Singapore Airlines offers its own take on the dish – tossed with its umami black sauce, slivers of meat and vegetables. This dish is available to Premium Economy and Economy class passengers.

Yakisoba is a popular late night treat among Japan’s night owls. Photo: Shutterstock

Planning a trip to Tokyo? When you’re in Tokyo, head to local favourite Mikasa in the Jimbocho district. It’s a hole-in-the-wall joint in Tokyo’s haven for used books. Seat yourself at one of a mere dozen counter seats, and peruse its pared down menu featuring just pork or seafood yakisoba. 

The highlight here is the rich, savoury and sweet yakisoba sauce and the addition of a runny egg omelette that adds a creamy element to the dish. Unlike most yakisoba stalls, Mikasa uses handmade noodles that offer a delightful bite. 2 Chome-24-3, Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 

Creamy butter chicken with rice from India

Better known in New Delhi as murgh makhani, butter chicken stands as one of India’s most iconic culinary exports – you’ll have no trouble finding it anywhere from London to Los Angeles. Premium Economy class passengers on Singapore Airlines flights can likewise enjoy this rich and creamy butter chicken served atop steamed basmati rice. There’s also a side of curried vegetables and a sharp, tangy achar, or picked vegetables. 

Try one of India’s most globally recognised dishes on your next Singapore Airlines flight. Photo: Shutterstock

Planning a trip to New Delhi? Stop by the family-friendly casual dining spot, Dhabha – A Punjabi Theme in the Rajouri Gardens neighbourhood. They serve up a version of the dish that’s as bold and colourful as its interiors. The butter chicken here hits the mark with its rich and creamy curry, but what truly distinguishes it is the smoky flavours that emerge from the tandoori grilled chicken. A-5, Block A, Vishal Enclave, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi

Classic comfort in a bowl of Korean rice porridge 

There’s perhaps nothing that feels more like a hug than a warm bowl of congee. Economy class passengers seeking classic comfort food can look forward to a steaming bowl of Korean-style congee aboard selected Singapore Airline flights. The rich, warming congee comes served with minced meat and pickled vegetables, as well as an Asian-style salad.

The humble dish is a childhood favourite for many in Korea. Photo: Shutterstock

Planning a trip to Seoul? If you find yourself in South Korea during winter, warm yourself up with a bowl of congee at Bonjuk. This chain restaurant has proven immensely popular with Seoulites and offers an extensive menu that features rice porridge topped with anything from abalone to kimchi and octopus. 

Another popular menu item is the pumpkin and red bean congee, a unique combination seldom found abroad. And with several outlets in the city, you’ll never be too far from a quick, comforting meal. 6 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul and other locations

Singapore’s iconic fragrant coconut rice 

Nasi lemak is a fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, served with sides like fried chicken, fried egg, anchovies, peanuts and a sweet spicy sambal sauce. It’s without a doubt one of the most beloved dishes in Singapore. Naturally, Singapore Airlines also offers this fan-favourite to its customers across all cabin classes. 

Nasi lemak is the pride of Coconut Club. Photo: Coconut Club

Planning a trip to Singapore? While popular for breakfast, you can find hawker stalls in Singapore selling this comfort dish at all hours. But if you’d like to try a more upmarket, gussied-up take on the dish with premium ingredients, you’ll want to check out Coconut Club. 

This restaurant in the heritage Kampong Glam district offers a hefty portion of spiced and fried organic chicken served atop a steaming portion of coconut rice along with essential sides. You can also add on other popular Malay sharing dishes like beef cheek rendang and chicken satay. 269 Beach Road, Singapore

SIA offers an inclusive selection of more than 20 in-flight meal options suitable for those with special dietary requirements and religious restrictions. Parents can also choose from a range of special in-flight meals for their children below 12 years old. For more information about these meal offerings, check out the Singapore Airlines website. 

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Thai Bus Food Tour

Experience the first Thai Bus Food Tour and discover the best of Thai cuisine while exploring the vibrant city of Bangkok. This unique tour solves the perennial problem of tourists not knowing what to eat. With the specially designed bus tour, you can sit, dine, and visit significant landmarks, while enjoying a variety of delicious foods simultaneously. Open every day, the tour offers four rounds per day, including lunch, sightseeing, dinner, and nightlife experiences.

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11 ways to enjoy Penang on your next visit

Penang, the second smallest state in Malaysia, packs a punch. Retaining culture and tradition while embracing modernity, it offers a multitude of things to see and experience – from brilliant examples of adaptive reuse in George Town, its capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, to a vibrant culinary scene that is the inspiration of many of popular street foods in its neighbouring countries. More recently, it has seen a new addition to its nightlife: a burgeoning cocktail bar scene. Here are some highlights not to be missed on your next trip.

1. Stay in a beautifully restored colonial mansion

Step into Penang’s colonial past at The Edison George Town. Peranakan patterned tilework, cast-iron columns and ornate bedroom headboards pepper this heritage mansion, giving one the sense of time travelling to days of yore.

Step into The Edison for a taste of colonial-era architecture. Photo: The Edison George Town

Located strategically in the heart of George Town, travellers have only to step out of the hotel’s premise to be immersed in the city’s diverse culture and heritage hotspots. The iconic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is just across the street, while Little India and Chulia Street are both within walking distance.

2. Explore Penang’s five architectural periods

Situated at the tail end of Love Lane, 23LoveLane Hotel is a charming boutique heritage hotel that pays homage to the five different architectural periods seen in Penang since the 1800s, when the building was built.

This boutique stay comprises 10 rooms of various stylings. Photo: 23LoveLane Hotel Penang

Choose from rooms and suites that feature pre-war shophouse façades, eclectic colours of the Straits, and the Anglo-Indian interior decor and design. Look no further for food options, as right outside the hotel is a plethora of cafes, restaurants, street food and bars with a bustling nightlife.

3. Bite into Penang street food… 

Street food hotspots along Carnarvon Street, New Lane and Gurney Drive are perpetual favourites among tourists and locals alike. You’ll want to hunt for time-honoured staples such as the char kuey teow (stir-fried rice noodle) along Lorong Selamat, kuey chiap (broad rice noodle soup served with various cuts of meat) at Kimberley Street and cendol (iced dessert with coconut milk and palm sugar) at Lebuh Keng Kwee.

4. …then explore an exciting mod-Mexican alternative

Parked in a quieter part of George Town, where Muntri Street and Leith Street intersect, Pablo’$ is a humble RV-styled food truck that serves a modern spin to the traditional hawker’s food stalls.

Every taco is a mouth-watering eat. Photo: Pablo’$

The young owners have put thought into perfecting their tacos, nachos and pasta, which they serve with a choice of chicken, beef and duck meat fillings. The adjacent Gala House Penang, which doubles as Pablo’$ seating area, serves up beverages that pair well with the honest, down-to-earth Mexican street food.

5. Have some fine Chinese cuisine with a twist

Located along Irving Road, a couple of streets away from Macalister Road’s street food hotspot, Yuè offers a more upscale glimpse of Penang.

A multi-course extravaganza. Photo: Yuè Penang

Whether it’s an afternoon high tea with friends looking to catch up on a quiet afternoon by the pool, or a 13-course modern Chinese date night dinner that includes Szechuan pepper lamb and gold-foiled tanghulu (sugar-coated fruits), each dish and teatime treat is plated with the utmost precision.

6. Try locally inspired cocktails 

Newcomer Nomad Bar is a husband-and-wife venture along Kimberley Street that serves cocktails inspired by their globetrotting. The bartenders’ creations also include locally inspired concoctions, such as the delicately balanced gin and floral Botanical Garden, and the Nyonya-inspired Pulut Tai Tai.

Nomad is a good place to go to have a sense of the local cocktail scene. Photo: Nomad Bar

7. Party at an ’80s-themed bar 

Opened in April, No Bar Here is an ‘80s-themed bar by the people behind Backdoor Bodega, one of the heavyweights of the modern bar scene in Penang, located just a few doors down on Gurdwara Road.

Unlike its renowned older sibling with its selection of Malaysian-made craft beers, this latest establishment sends patrons back in time, with its offerings of classic Disco-era drinks, such as Sex on the Beach and Espresso Martini, as well as signature cocktails inspired by beloved ‘80s music.

Don’t be fooled by the nondescript sign outside – there’s definitely a bar here. Photo: No Bar Here

Related

Penang

Click for the full City Guide

  

8. Explore the nerve centre of Penang’s contemporary art and culture scene

What used to be a vacant and dilapidated building that had served as the city’s bus depot after the Second World War is, today, a vibrant creative hub that draws massive crowds to its weekend markets. Hin Bus Depot is an exhibition and event space with a lively host of arts and culture programmes.

There’s always a performance, event or exhibition going on at Hin Bus Depot. Photo: Hin Bus Depot

9. Step into Penang’s ancient, evergreen forest

If the great outdoors is more your speed, check out The Habitat on Penang Hill. It’s the gateway to the city’s very own UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, one of the oldest rainforests in the region.

Nature lovers will find many things to enjoy in this historic park: flora and fauna along a 1.6km-length heritage trail, breathtaking views atop the Curtis Crest tree top walk and the Langur Way canopy walk, as well as guided tour services and outdoor activities. A funicular from the foot of the hill makes the journey accessible and fun.

Langur Way Canopy Walk at The Habitat Penang Hill. Photo: The Habitat Penang Hill

10. Get souvenirs at a one-stop modern indie shop and stay 

This refurbished heritage shophouse along Campbell Street in Penang’s Chinatown has everything. P.66 is home to a cafe, a stationery store and local clothing designer Dennie Yeap’s label. It even houses a host of minimalist Airbnb rooms named after famous contemporary writers, such as Kurt Vonnegut, Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.

It’s the all-encompassing spot for travellers looking for a momentary pause during their Penang trip: check-in to a room, enjoy a cuppa, and stock up on journalling materials to remember this trip with.

The perfect haunt for a writer or bibliophile. Photo: P.66

11. Pick up some chic threads 

Age-old batik and Peranakan patterns get a revamp at betterthanblouses, a small-batch indie outfit that turns beautiful traditional prints into chic head-turning conversation pieces. This unique homegrown brand is run by the sprightly proprietor Kang Pei Shern and her mother, whom you’ll meet when you stop by the store.

Note that the store is open by appointment only, so reach out via their Instagram or WhatsApp to let them know you plan to swing by.

The owner of betterthanblouses models one of her creations Photo: betterthanblouses

For our full list on things to do and places to see in Penang, check out our Penang City Guide. For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Penang, visit the official website. 

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Horizon 22

Horizon 22, a skyscraper in the heart of the city, is the latest addition to London’s many lookouts – and the highest free viewing platform in the whole of Europe.

From the 58^th floor (254m above ground) visitors can survey all the quintessential London landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, or The Shard, the only taller building in central London.

Horizon 22 opened in late 2023 and tickets continue to be snapped up months in advance. However, visitors can try their luck with the walk-in tickets released right on site every morning at 10 am.

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