Paris Shopping Tips by shrimp56 Top 5 Page for this destination

In the 6th & 7th Arrondissements: Les Soldes, Windowshopping & Advertising

French advertising can be very sexy as well as inventive. The 3 candidates here prove the case!
First we have a very inventive window advertising one of the two semi-annual period of sales. Then look carefully at the "televisions" in this shop window. Only one is a REAL TV -- hint -- it is the one on the bottom with the fish. The 3rd was taken of a bus shelter on ave de la Bourdonnais in the 7th. The ad is for Bourjois cosmetics and the little critter resting on the lower lip is saying "I think I am in love" -- which is how I feel about Paris!

What to buy: For me I enjoy buying small items that I can't find here in the states. I love scarves, makeup, costume jewelry and then mustards and herbs.

What to pay: What your credit card will allow ;)

Address: St. Germain, near Bon Marche & the 7th

Directions: Just wander on St. Germain or the streets just south of there in the 6th and you will se wonderful shops. If you can't afford what you are seeing then just do as the French do -- Lecher la vitrine -- literally 'to lick the window'

Theme: Other

The shops under the Palais Royal arcades: Shopping the Palais

The shops that line the arcases that ring the Palais Royal are very high end indeed. From perfumier Serge Lutens, to vintage couture clothing expert Didier Ludot, these shops are not for the faint of wallet. There are art galleries, a costume museum and a store that sells painted metal figurines that start at about $70 US

What to buy: These stores are a nice rainy day amble, but leave your credit cards in your pocket.

What to pay: A LOT!

Address: Palais Royal

Other Contact: www.didierludot.com/

Theme: Other

Gibert Jeune: The Gibert book empire!

A stroll around the Place St Michel area will reveal many yellow awnings representing the book empire of Gibert Jeune. Each store has a specific range of books and subjects and serves the student population found in the Latin Quarter. The one pictured specialises in livres d'occasion or what we would call "used books"
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I did discover Gibert Joseph further up blvd St Michel, which seemed to more of what we expect in the United States for a standard large bookstore.

What to buy: As a student of French I am always eager to add to my collection of French texts. This time I celebrated my "inner child" [as well as my French history gene] and bought "Asterix en Corse", one of the many books featuring Asterix and his pal Obelix.

Other Contact: http://www.gibertjoseph.com/

Theme: Books

Les Mille Feuilles: Decorating 'la maison' in the Marais

A beautiful upscale interior decorating store in the Marais on rue Rambuteau. The Marais shop specialises in fake flower arrangements and decorative objects, such as mirrors, vases, candles and lamps-- other branches carry beautiful fabrics.

What to buy: Some of the smaller items would make nice reminders of your trip to Paris.

What to pay: A lot.

Address: 2 rue Rambuteau -- 3e

Phone: 01 42 78 32 93

Theme: Home Furnishing

St. Eustache & Grenelle: The Street Markets of Paris

Every neighborhood has its market. Most are for food, but others include clothing and other items. Please consult the website listed below for some more general information.
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I am most familiar with the rue Cler and rue Buci markets. The pictures are of the St. Eustache Sunday market and the elevated tracks at the La Motte Picquet/Grenelle metro station beneath which there is also a Sunday market.

What to buy: Unless you are staying in an apartment your purchases will probably be limited to snack food, or jars of james & mustards. If you are purchasing produce remember that the seller is the one that selects for you. Point, but do not touch.

Theme: Food and Drink

Market streets and stores throughout the city: Flowers & plants for sale almost everywhere

Parisians love their flowers and plants. This was taken at a shop selling various plants on the right bank near the Grand Boulevards, but you can find flowers everywhere in Paris. They make a nice hostess gift, but remember no chrysanthemums unless you are going to a funeral!

What to buy: There is a language of flowers as the link below will explain -- it took designer Christian Lacroix to make carnations acceptable!

What to pay: These plants seem to be around 4-5 euro.

Address: Grand Boulevards

Theme: Flowers

Le Forum des Halles: New for old -- and now a plan for newer Le Forum des Halles Review

Les Halles was originally the wholesale food market for Paris. After its move to Rungis they developed a shopping center, mostly underground. Now, after that is not working very well, they are talking about a major redevelopment. See the website for more information.
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The image on the right is of the Bourse de Commerce. On the left is a window into a stairway garden. The day we walked through to avoid the rain, the part we saw felt very empty and almost abandoned.

Address: 101 Porte Berger

Other Contact: http://www.forum-des-halles.com/

Phone: 01 44 76 96 56

Theme: Other

Emilio Robba in Galerie Vivienne: Flowers on the cutting edge ... Passages Review

Modern French floral design is one of the delights of looking in Paris shop windows.
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You can pay a lot of money for a class at The Ritz Hotel, or you can come here and make your own arrangement from the artifical flowers on display !!!

What to pay: Such an experience is not inexpensive, but would be a wonderful introduction to the French view of flower arranging.

Address: Galerie Vivienne

Theme: Flowers

One of the produce stands on rue Cler: Les poires au rue Cler * 7e

The produce on rue Cler is near perfection, both for eating and for photos. But remember -- let the seller do the selecting!!!

What to buy: Whatever looks fresh -- which is everything!!! If you are staying in an apartment in the quartier it is an excellent place to buy yourself the makings of a meal.

What to pay: Being in the upscale 7eme, the rue Cler shops are not inexpensive, but the quality is excellent.

Address: rue Cler

Directions: Runs for several blocks from Avenue de la Motte Picquet. The nearest métro is Ecole Militaire.

Theme: Food and Drink

La Maison Fauchon: C'est le dernier cri -- Take-out from Fauchon:) Fauchon Review

Fauchon is the "grocery store" for elegant Paris. It has graced Place de la Madeleine since 1886. Only the finest in spices, wines, meats, vegetables, chocolates etc... will do. And now they are emphasizing "traiteur" or takeout with their purchase of FLO Prestige.
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On the right of the photo-collage is one of their ads for their "s'emporter" -- on the left is a nicely cooked lobster!

What to buy: Whatever your heart desires [and your budget can bear!]:)

Address: Place de la Madeleine

Directions: Metro : Madeleine - Near place de la Concorde. Not far from the Department stores (Galeries Lafayette & Le Printemps)

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.fauchon.com/