Alongside food and fashion, it is art that makes up the third piece in the Holy Trinity of Parisian passions. From street portrait sketchers along the Seine and amateur painters vending their canvases in the Place du Tertre, to international artists displaying in galleries, finding pieces to your taste and budget is as simple (and as difficult) as narrowing down the vast array of choice. When it comes to artistic styles, there is everything on offer including traditional, modern, contemporary and emerging art.

For the best atmosphere visit the city’s known art quarters, where you will find multiple galleries within a few blocks. These include St-Germain-des-Pres in the 6th arrondissement (www.artstgermaindespres.com) and Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement (www.art-montmartre.com). For a really comprehensive overview of exhibitions, artists, photographers and galleries in each arrondissement log on to www.paris-art.com, an endless resource listing literally hundreds of events, addresses and artists.

Purchase of art is as simple as walking in to a gallery and pulling out a cheque book: no middleman is needed. As for prices, these vary from €50 for a piece in the Place du Tertre to the priceless works of art for sale in galleries at Le Louvre des Antiquaires. Those seeking advice will find it with art buyers such as Arzao, a company specialising in personalised art shopping trips and private auction visits. For private portraiture in painting and photography there are an enormous number of artists available for hire. Kathy Burke is an American portrait artist based in the Marais, or contact French artist Francoise Garret – of course these are just two names out of the many available, so check your phone book or galleries for further recommendations. When it comes to photography, there are also a large number of commissionable portrait artists: David Brenot specialises in photojournalistic portrait style, South African Caronine Garbutt shoots children, babies and pregnant women while Dana Maitec shoots moody, studio works.