I would like to know the opening hours for shops at Paris, Lyon, Lucerne, Milan and Zurich.

In most of switzerland, shops are open from about 9:30 or 10 to 6:30pm on weekdays except for the late-night shopping day.<BR><BR>This late night shopping day varies from town to town but I think for Zurich & Lucerne (someone correct me if I'm wrong) it is thursday. That is when shops are open 'till 9pm.<BR><BR>On saturdays, it's 9:30 to 4pm.<BR><BR>Sundays, everything's shut!

in Paris, most shops open from 9 to 7:00 or 8:00 on Thursday hours are extended (for example printemps closes at 10:00 pm) and on saturday some shops close early. sunday is usually off but when I was there in July half of teh shops were open and shops in shopping mall in caroussel du louvre were all open.

In Milan, except the largest department stores, shops close for lunch/siesta around 1 pm and reopen around 3/4 pm (longer break for smaller shops), and stay open till 7 or 7.30 pm, six days a week.

In Lyon, all shops except some in Vieux Lyon are closed on Sunday. Even the mall. I can't remember during the week, but 10-5 is safe, though 10-7 rings a bell too (sorry, I've been away from Lyon for a while).

One caveat to Brownie's post:<BR>Almost all stores all closed on Sundays in Zurich, except for those in the Main Train Station. They open on Sundays and you can pick up groceries from Migros or Luxemburgli from Sprungli there! I know because I did.

Ah .. I forgot that. Thanks Kathy.<BR><BR>The opening times in switzerland are governed by cantonal law. A train station is under federal law (as a swiss once explained to me) so shops in train stations are open 'till whenever they want to. Shops are open in Zurich train station which has quite a good selection of shops.