Versailles Shopping Tips by gwened

shopping in Versailles: Favorites shopping stores in Versailles

We are big fan of the L’Occitane for many many years, the store in Versailles is very nice and friendly getting you nice products from Provence. 39 rue de la Paroisse, tel +33 01 39 02 06 74. It is very near the collegiale Notre Dame church. Open from tuesdays to fridays 10h-13h30 and 14h30-19h, Saturdays 10h-19h; Sundays 10h-13h and English is spoken. webpage http://fr1.loccitane.com/FO/Home.aspx

For jewerly, watches, etc the favorite in town is ‘Eté Joaillier, 38 rue de la Paroisse, tel +33 01 39 02 38 38. next to l’occitane store. open tuesdays to saturdays from 10h15 to 19h, English is spoken too ! webpage http://www.bijouterie-horlogerie-joaillerie-versailles.com/indexanglais.html

Bags ,handbags, leather, and travel accessories the ultimate is the Le Tanneur,7 place Hoche, tel +33 01 39 67 07 37. open tuesdays to saturdays from 10h to 1çh30, Saturdays and Sundays from 10h -19h30, always remember to leave that hour for lunch time ::) webpage http://www.letanneur.com/Magasins.aspx

For gifts, souvenirs, t shirts , you come here Select Souvenir, 10 ave Charles de Gaulle, in the Les Maneges building across from RER station rive gauche. Tel +33 01 39 02 34 97. no webpage but plenty to see on way in or out of Versailles. Open tuesdays to Saturdays from 10h to 19h.

For designs and comtemporary tools for the kitchen,bathroom, living room, or office with gifts galore try my cute Désir d’Intérieurs, 17 rue Carnot, tel +33 01 30 21 39 19. open tuesdays to fridays from 10h to 19h Saturday 10h-19h30. English spoken. Webpage http://www.desirdinterieurs.com/

For flowers a bit away but worth it near Chantiers train station, Symphonie Florale, 42 rue des Chantiers, tel +33 01 39 50 20 22. open Mondays 14h-19h, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8h to 20h30, Sundays 9h-13h. English spoken. No web.

For toys, kids games of European and French design and fabrication you cant beat the La Maison des 3 Ours, Carrés Saint-Louis, 24 rue Royale, tel +33 01 39 49 47 66. open tuesdays to saturdays from 10h30-13h and 15h-19h. English spoken. webpage http://www.jouets-versailles.com/

For wines ,other than going to the chain Nicolas, my favorite is at 4 rue Royale, tel +33 01 39 50 17 03. open tuesdays to fridays 9h30-13h and 15h to 20h , Saturdays 9h30 to 13h30 and 15h-20h ,Sundays 9h30 to 13h. You can definitively be satisfied at Aux Caves du Chateau, 9 place Hoche, tel +33 01 39 50 02 049. wines, spirits,champagnes, with gifts in mind too, and artisan beers all since 1840. Open tuesdays to saturdays from 9h-13h and 15h-19h30. Sundays in the mornings 9h-13h too. English spoken. webpage http://www.caviste-vin-versailles.com/

For cheeses go to Fromagerie Le Gall ,in the marché Notre Dame building named Carré à la Marée; tel +33 01 39 50 01 28. open tuesdays to sundays 7h30 to 13h. tuesday to thursdays 16h to 19h, Fridays and Saturdays 15h30 to 19h. English spoken. the best cheeses in town from all regions of France including the real ones from the farm to you ! webpage http://www.legall-versailles.com/

For teas from around the world and to find that rare one, the one to visit is La Route du Thé, 26 rue de Satory,on the ave Sceaux side of chateau, tel +33 01 39 53 12 07. open tuesdays to saturdays from 10h30 to 19h, English spoken:webpage http://www.larouteduthe.com/#

For chocolates try the real thing from a local chocolatier, Maiffret Chocolatier, 37 rue de la Paroisse, near church collegiale de Notre Dame, tel +33 01 39 02 71 01. all is made in house from 100coa beans of the best regions, also try the macarons and pâtes de fruit. webpage http://www.maiffret.com/

Of course could not forget, the market or marché public, my all time favorite, and regular as noted above in the cheese store is the Marché de Notre Dame and Halles Notre Dame, the difference is the Marché is open air, fruits,veggies, etc alternating with a clothing market while the Halles are covered market dating from the domaine de Clagny (1665 AD). There in the carré Notre Dame (from chateau follow straight out to your left and take ave Saint Cloud to the corner of ave de l’Europe and rue Marechal Foch,you take a left and the marché is right in front of your eyes). Marché open Tuesdays,Fridays,and Sundays from 7h30 to 14h , and the Halles open tuesdays to saturdays 7h to 19h30, some Mondays and Sundays from 7h to 14h.

If you prefer buying flowers in a market to take home, then the best is at sidewalks on ave Saint Cloud just by the underground parking Saint Cloud corner ave de l’Europe. Open Tuesdays,Fridays,Saturdays all day and Sunday mornings. There are ,also, flowers at the Marché Notre Dame see above.

For all your Cigars needs, and pens, and wallets, and the best advice from all over the world products of great quality. Gifts, pens, and English spoken try La Havane, 21 rue Hoche, tel +33 01 39 50 66 11.webpage http://www.stylos-maroquinerie-cigare-versailles.com/

For all your telephone questions, needs head for Orange, the best in France in my opinion. the Store is at 2-4 Rue au Pain, right around the Halles de Notre Dame market, webpage is online, the store you can get more information especially if a visitor. http://boutiques.orange.fr/

For fish and seafood, of course I know, you need to have a kitchen but so what I also know many of you do when visiting so I am giving away my poissonnerie or fish market L’Espadon, Halles Notre Dame, Carré à la Marée, open as the Halles Market above. webpage http://www.poissonnerie-fruits-de-mer-versailles.com/index.html

And of course the bakeries cannot be forgotten, several are good, but my choice for the blog will be Boulangerie (Maison) Guinon at 60 rue de la Paroisse (district of Notre Dame yes), doing it since 1802 and still the best, go for it when in town. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays 7h To 20h, Sunday 7h to 13h30. tel +33 01 39 50 01 84, webpage http://www.boulangerie-patisserie-artisanale-versailles.com/index.html

For coffee lovers try La Finca, 15 rue de deux Portes, tel +33 01 39 50 33 52. At the area around the marche de Notre Dame on the chateau side as you stand in the center. Go around the Halles Notre Dame and it is there its a tiny place full of coffee grounders machines. No webpage.

For groceries there are the Leader Price chain store at 58 rue de Chantiers (near train SNCF station) http://www.monleaderprice.fr/magasin/index.php ; Marché U, 4 rue du Marechal Foch http://www.superu-versailles.com/portailu/local/pg_d_sysu_magasin_accueil ; Monoprix, 5 ave Georges Clémenceau (also by ave de l’Europe entrance) http://www.monoprix.fr/trouver-mon-magasin/monoprix-versailles-versailles-156.html ; 8 a Huit, 6 rue Royale part of Carrefour ; and Franprix, 5 rue Rameau. http://www.franprix.fr/v2/site/ You have bigger markets outside if you have a car, but these in town are pretty good for your needs.

There are several good libraries or book stores in town , however, my favorite is Gibert & Joseph, 62 rue de la Paroisse, near church Notre Dame, chain also in Paris, webpage http://www.gibertjoseph.com/magasins/versailles.html

For photo info ,and developement head for Photo Station, 50 rue de la Paroisse, tel +33 01 39 67 02 74 no webpage but just near church of Notre Dame.

For clothing I shop sometimes at Damart or Burton. Damart is a chain webpage http://www.damart.fr/shops_info.php?shops_id=57 and Burton is at 11 rue Georges Clemenceau, tel +33 01 39 53 70 78 no web. simple shoes at Eram, 13 rue du marechal Foch, webpage http://www.eram.fr/magasin .Haircuts at Jean Louis David, 15 rue du marechal Foch, webpage www.jeanlouisdavid.com

Pharmacies are many but my is at Pharmacie de la Paroisse, 33 rue de la Paroisse, near Notre Dame church. tel +33 01 39 50 78 85. For the press other than on Relais H at the train stations, my is at Lolita Presse, 83 rue du marechal Foch. near rive droite train station. Several post offices too the one I use most is at La Poste ,47bis rue du Marechal Foch; between the market of Notre Dame and the train station rive droite. Several banks including the HSBC and Barclays but I do BNP Paribas along rue du Marechal Foch.

If you have problems with your laptop or computer while here the pros at VART electronique will definitively help you, either direct you to a reputable repair store or do it or give you the parts you need. they are at 42 ave de Saint Cloud, tel +33 01 39 51 56 33. Any country will do, they do them all !!! just north of the ave de l’Europe and ave saint cloud you go right to a side street call allée de l’avenue saint cloud. no web there have been there for ages …

if you are looking for antiques, head here first The Antiquaires de Versailles , you might save yourselves time. The site has all the info you need in English here http://www.antiques-versailles.com/up//@@sites@2@Products_xx_searchType–Rubric__iDRubric–29250@@.htm

If you want to walk in a quaint old fashion street full of goodies and feel like in times past while enjoying nice little restos like the creperie A la Côte Bretonne and small misc stores like Cachemise ready to wear clothing,then head for the Rue de deux Portes off rue Carnot to the the marché Notre Dame .

Well I think I touch the basics most, if left anything else you want to know, let me know

What to buy: souvenirs of course, but in these you can find many mugs and table setting as well as the great Versailles favorites the confitures du Roy (pears favorite of the kings) on sale at the boutique potager du roi.

chocolates with the recipe of Louis XV, call le versaillais au chocolat, and the pavé de versailles, cookies in a block format done with almonds, the macarons de marie-antoinette done first by Dalloyau

have a drink pink lady, invented here, 4Cl gin, 2 cl juice of lemon, 0,5cl sirope of grenadine, one white of egg, and one spoonful of liquid cream.

What to pay: prices good for a local boy

Address: several

Directions: several see names

Theme: Other

Marché de Notre Dame: market days are glorious at Notre Dame

simply the best market in the region, at the place du vieux marché Notre Dame, where the old domaine de Clagny was in 1665, a market in the neighborhood of Notre Dame, mine, was born.

The metal buildings by Baltard house on each a different kind of goodies, to find them. Outside you have fruits, veggies, clothings, shoes, all kinds of stuff for the whole family.

very near the castle, a must see it specially Saturday mornings. The outside stalls or the Carrés Notre Dame are open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 7h-14h. The indoor metal buildings or Halles Notre Dame are open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7h-19h30 (some open Mondays) The Sundays are open from 7h -14h.
The non food outdoor market is open wednesdays, thursdays,saturdays from 11h to 19h30

What to buy: all you can thing of in a flea market, food market, clothes market, the works and all traditional foods even goat cheese from Versailles!

What to pay: best prices in the area

Address: place notre dame

Directions: marché notre dame from castle on ave saint cloud to the left, then at marechal Foch turn left to it

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/decouvrir/balades-et-decouvertes/les-marches-de-versailles.html

Select souvenirs: souvenirs and tkts chateau of Versailles

great selection of t shirts, mugs, the usual, plus porcelain, jewerly, and scarfs, and frames of local arts, personalise service always and centrally located.right across from RER train rive gauche.good souvenirs on your way back home

and you can buy your chateau tickets here too as well as sightseeing tickets to many sites; see third photo is inside les Manéges

What to buy: best is porcelain and jewerly items although popular are the tshirts

What to pay: better and sometimes half the price as in Paris

Address: 10 ave Gral Charles de Gaulle,78000

Directions: at the menage, just across from train station rive gauche on your way in and out of Castle of Versailles!

Phone: +33 (0) 1 39 02 34 97

Theme: Local Craft

Gibert & Joseph: get your books,maps, office sup here

new books, used books, magazine, office supplies, school supplies, news, postcards, the works, with very friendly service, and an old institution in the city
you have another one on dvd and music by ave St cloud, but the books one is the one, i love and will always remember.

get your literary, arts souvenir here while in the city ,near castle and church of notre dame, as well as marche notre dame

What to buy: books new and used, plus office supplies, my favorite place, great friendly neighborhood service

What to pay: nice Versailles prices better than Paris ::)

Address: 62 Rue de la Paroisse 78000 Versailles

Directions: up from collegiale notre dame towards the marche notre dame cant missed my old quartier!!

Theme: Stationery

Website: http://www.gibertjoseph.com/magasins/versailles.html

Ets Revert quincallerie: the old fashion hardware store

This is an institution close to my old house, and when a need arises rather than go out into the suburbs this is the nice neighborhood old hardware store we came to. The works inside, small space but a lot of inventory.
You will find your needs here. serious family business, that sure will help you with a smile.

What to buy: the works its a multi purpose hardware store
handyman specials,keys making, and all the usual hardward gadgets needed

What to pay: prices are a good match to the mass merchandiser chains

Address: 53 rue de la Paroisse 78000

Directions: very near collegiale notre dame church on the street that leds t the market notre dame, cant missed it.

Theme: Discount Store

Website: http://www.revert-bricolage-outillage-78.fr/presentation

marché aux Fleurs: wonderful flower market

A wonderful flower market on ave St Cloud corner with ave de l'Europe; you can get the freshest cut of many wonderful varieties here

days and times: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8H to 19H ,and Sundays mornings

A lovely place dear to all Versaillaises, and we come here often especially the wife ::)

What to buy: flowers of all kinds

What to pay: best prices in the area

Address: Ave Saint Cloud

Directions: ave St Cloud corner with ave de l'Europe and next to parking St Cloud. cant missed it on days above.

Theme: Flowers

Website: http://www.versailles.fr/vivre-ma-ville/les-marches/

librarie des Princes and boutique A C: souvenirs inside the castle

for shopping memories of the castle cant beat those stores inside the castle property, these are the
librarie des Princes ,and
Boutique de l'Ancienne Comédie
both on the Cour d'Honneur, to the left side as you enter the parvis of the chateau

great items for all times sake

What to buy: books,postcards, stationary,dvd, cd,portraits, gift items of nice value, linen, house deco, many many things related to the history of the castle

What to pay: prices unique items not found elsewhere for the most part, its special

Address: inside castle property

Directions: enter castle go left on cour d'honneur cant missed them

Theme: Local Craft

Website: http://www.store-chateauversailles.com/en/

Parly II: best shopping center in Paris region

over 40 years of service, the best shopping center in the Paris region, all the good ones from au printemps, lenôtre, fauchon,leonidas,FNAC, toys r us, truffaut,decathlon, you name it, all your needs in a very nice mall, ac, and plenty of eateries such as pizza del arte, brasserie Bertrand (my favorite)

the parking has an innovative system where it let you know the spaces available before you head in into a lane, see the pole on the right of the main photo here

What to buy: everything you come for to a mall or shopping center, or centre commercial

What to pay: better prices than Paris

Address: Le Chesnay

Directions: stop arboretum on bus 19 from ave st cloud and ave de l'europe intersection, or take thecar.

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.parly-2.com/W/do/centre/accueil

Monoprix: nice upscale discount chain

you can shop right in town at Monoprix,a nice upscale discount store chain. The one in the picture is near me at rue Clemenceau, but it also has an entry on ave de l'Europe near ave St Cloud and closer to the Palace.

What to buy: all kinds of things from clothings, food,household items, linens, decorations, etc etc etc

What to pay: better prices than Paris ::)

Address: ave de l'Europe or rue Clemenceau

Directions: from Palace go up ave de paris turn left on ave de l'europe (other side is hotel de ville) and on your right hand side is it.

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.monoprix.fr/trouver-mon-magasin/monoprix-versailles-versailles-156.html

Carrefour: get those groceries

well this is the second largest grocery store chain in the world, and it is big. They hve stores of different sizes to go at different markets, but the hypermarket is my thing when buying bulky, misc items. It has a huge section on food, some are brand name,and other like the 1 brand are very cheap thingys.
If in France or rather in Versailles, the big one is just outside Inside the city you have the chic Carrefour City,and then go out into the N13 Chambourcy and find the big hypermarket.

What to buy: stock up on most everything, but the food choices is good

What to pay: depends on the store but the hypermarket has different levels of products and pricing

Address: N13 Chambourcy

Directions: follow Versailles out direction St Germain en Laye then Chambourcy on the N13 road

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.carrefour.fr/magasin/chambourcy