Paris Match! What Monsieur Beckham shouldn't miss during his French sojourn

The news that the twilight of his career has led David Beckham across the Channel to Parisian turf won’t surprise his fans.
Since hanging up his boots at Manchester United, the footballing icon has shimmied his way around some enviable metropolis including Madrid, Los Angeles, a loan spell at Inter Milan and regular training sessions at some of London’s biggest clubs. 

Bonjour David! Beckham joined Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day and will stay in the city for five months

Visiting Dad! Victoria and the children will head to Paris to visit David

Yet Paris could well be the perfect match for a player with such silky sartorial skills. And although Victoria and the couple’s four children will stay in West London, Mrs Beckham’s flourishing career as a fashion designer can only be buffed and polished by regular trips to the world’s fashion capital.
Eurostar may be able to whisk passengers under the Channel to Paris in just two and a quarter hours but it’s unlikely that weekenders on the London to Paris route will find themselves face à face with a commuting Beckham on a regular basis.
A private jet was enlisted to get the star to the press conference announcing his arrival in Paris and Becks has said that he will base himself in hotels during his five-month stay in the French city.

Still, the A-list family of six are about to enjoy if not a full bite then at least an amuse bouche of the ‘moveable feast’ that Ernest Hemingway once described Paris as.
So what shouldn’t they miss while Becks is pulling on the Paris Saint-Germain strip? Below, we round up the best addresses for any discerning brood heading à Paris… 

Shopping: Haute and about

When she steps onto Parisian soil, Posh will be at the epicentre of the fashion world. And while her career might have already taken off, the Marais quarter is home to a new wave of up-and-coming designers and is the perfect place to get ahead of the fashion curve. Here, chic boutiques pass in quick succession like stitches on a sewing machine. 

Shopping, French-style: Under the dome of the Galleries Lafayette department store

When Victoria tires of wearing her own designs, she could head for Avenue Montaigne, in the 8th arrondissement, where high-end labels from Dior to Ralph Lauren jostle for well-heeled attention.
When in Paris, fashionistas are said to flock to concept store Colette (www.colette.fr), on Rue Saint-Honoré, but if you're hell-bent on parting with your money in a store with real pedigree, then head for Le Bon Marché (lebonmarche.com) on the left bank, which claims to be the world's first department store.
For the boys and baby Harper, injecting a little Parisian flair into their already ample wardrobes is easy enough.
The flagship store of luxury childrenswear brand Bonpoint(bonpoint.com) on Rue du Tournon has plenty of couture for superstar cuties.
Both Brad Pitt and Michelle Obama have been spotted buying outfits for their offspring in recent years so the Beckhams would be in good company.
Are French children better dressed than their English counterparts? Almost certainly. Just swing by fabled department store Galeries Lafayette (galerieslafayette.com) on the fourth floor you'll find a designer childrenswear nirvana. Ralph Lauren for Romeo? Pas de problème.

A rival for the Ritz? The plush Peninsula Hotel will open in Paris in 2013

Mangez, buvez, dormez (...Eat, drink, sleep)

Drink up this city: The Plaza Athénée hotel bar has some delicious cocktails including the Black Mojito - an eye-watering 26 euros a pop

While it's not known where David will stay in the city of lights, the couple may want to escape for a night of romance after spending time apart. 
The Ritz might be under refurbishment until next year but The Peninsula luxury hotel chain - established in 1928 - will be opening its doors in Paris this year and Victoria may know the brand
from its New York and Los Angeles outposts.
When it comes to toasting their global domination, the Beckhams could head to the bar at the Plaza Athénée hotel on Avenue Montaigne (perfect for post-shopping fatigue) which reigns supreme as a trendy haunt, particularly for the deep of pocket - cocktails cost around 26 Euros (£22). 
Quirky eateries du jour that may appeal include Le Pompon, a former synagogue converted into a bar and restaurant in the blue collar 10th arrondissement, and Saut du Loup, the restaurant of the Arts décoratifs (lesartsdecoratifs.fr).
It’s the perfect spot from which to admire both the Tuileries and the Eiffel Tower, and a hop, skip and Louboutin-clad jump from the catwalk shows of Paris Fashion Week.