Le Boulevard at Paris

Le Boulevard is tres European. From the brass lamps to the cobblestone "streets" to the small, intimate boutiques, Paris is alive and well in Las Vegas.

Make your way straight down the middle of the casino (or straight ahead if you parked in the parking garage) and you'll hit Le Boulevard, the shopper's main drag, where the majority of stores and restaurants reside (if only it were this easy in France). Les Memories offers intricately designed clocks, cute wedding figurines, bath products, frames and other bric-a-brac; Les Elements, throw pillows and china. The charming Les Enfants offers children's hats, clothing and a precious selection of Madeline merchandise.

No boulevard would be complete without a good patisserie, and Le Boulevard has two: Lenôtre and JJ's Boulangerie. Try the schuss aux fraises (light cream and strawberries) at Lenôtre; it's divine. The shop also sells a complete line of kitchen implements and cookbooks. JJ's Boulangerie is a great place for a sandwich, and since it's also a working bakery, you can sit in on the preparation. And La Creperie, the creperie stand adjacent to JJ's, will satisfy all tastes, from the sweet tooth to the seafood lover.

Le Boulevard is conveniently located in the back of the hotel-casino, near the parking garage and the convention center, which means you don't have to walk through the casino if you want only to shop. First-time visitors, however, should walk through to get the full effect -- the legs of the Eiffel Tower protrude onto the casino floor. Take a ride to the top if you're not acrophobic. Check out the lobby, which replicates the Palace of Versailles, with its ornate crystal chandeliers and plush circular seats. Magnifique!

-- Staff Report