Here's a good link to some dept store info for Paris. One note is that La Samaritaine is currently closed.

http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...ptstores.shtml

I would say the closest thing to Marks & Spencer is BHV (Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville) or perhaps C&A.

My favorite store though is Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank. They have a great grocery store next door to the dept store.

I also always make a trip to Monoprix (usually the big one on the Champs Elysees). Great place to stock up on French soaps, coffee, chocolate, herbes de provence, etc.

Nougat and this candy called calissons are incredible. The calissons come in a diamond shaped white box like this:

http://www.deandeluca.com/candy-and-...amond-box.aspx