Akaroa Shopping Tips by Kate-Me Top 5 Page for this destination

La Folie Jolie gallery: French gallerie

Many French provincial and other items for sale, and rather unique ceramic ware (both indoor and outdoor - quite quirky as you'll see from the other photos - and pottery. They also do picture framing.

What to buy: French soaps (fairly reasonably priced too), French signs made of enamel or metal, French kitchenware, and unique animal themed glazed ceramic ware.

Address: 116 Rue Jolie, Akaroa

Directions: turn left from the main street at Rue Jolie

Theme: Local Craft

The Artisan's Gallery: Gallery

What makes this shop so special is that my husband sneaked into it when I wasn't looking and bought my 2004 Valentine's Day present here!
The shop stocks many different types of local arts and crafts.
The gift I got was a tile, painted with a scene of Akaroa, including the harbour, the lighthouse, and 2 of the rare Hectors dolphins which live in the bay. I'll always treasure it!

What to buy: The Artisan's Gallery has wood turned items, silk, woven and knitwear gear, studio pottery, glass and jewellery.

What to pay: The gallery seemed fairly expensive, but very good quality, so I think well worth it.

Address: 45 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa

Directions: (near Shell Service Station) centre of town.

Other Contact: Em: craft@artisans-akaroa.co.nz

Phone: (03) 304 7514

Theme: Art

Pot Pourri: locally made Fudge and Homewares

To me, what made this shop so special, was the sign outside advertising free fudge tastings....so of course I went in.

They made about 15 different types of fudge, some quite different - that is to say, out of the ordinary, and quite attractive, such as the lime sorbet which I had to try, and then the Baileys flavoured fudge, which I had to buy.
Best of all, you didn't have to buy a whole packet of it (though you could if you wished, or buy a bag with a stick of fudge from about 8 different types) but you could just buy a piece, as it was sold by weight, and wrapped in greased paper for you. Excellent!

What to buy: Specialty fudge, made on the premises.

What to pay: The little piece of fudge I bought was only about $2 and extremely nice.

Address: Rue Lavaud

Directions: centre of town, not far from Gallerie Lavaud and other shops.

Theme: Home Furnishing

Gallerie Lavaud: Gallery

Gallerie Lavaud, to me, is one of the quaintest shop/gallery buildings in Rue Lavaud, and quite different in style to all the others, with its almost Victorian look wooden edging on the eaves of the roof.

Address: Rue Lavaud

Directions: Centre of town, opposite Shell Petrol Station.

Theme: Art

Feu et Glace (Fire and Ice): Paua pearls and exquisite jewellery

Feu et Glace is special because it's the first shop I've ever seen to feature the very rare (only cultured in this area) Paua Pearl. I hadn't even known it existed before, and I saw it very few times since, so this must be one of the best places to see it and to buy it....if you can afford the price tag!

Paua pearls are the size of medium sized ordinary pearls, but they shine blue and green the way paua shell does, except darker. They're simply exquisite!

What to buy: Paua pearls, certainly, if exquisite jewellery is your thing. Fortunately I don't feel compelled to buy every gorgeous thing I see, or I would have been completely broke, buying just one pearl!

What to pay: Exquisite and so rare comes with a big price tag: very very basic single pearl in basic silver setting, $300. Most though, for example single pearl set in gold earrings, or single in pendant, averaged between $1500 - $2000!

Directions: Towards the beach and more upmarket accommodation end of Akaroa, turn left off Beach road if coming from Rue Lavaud.

Theme: Jewelry

Lavande et Miel: Homewares and other products

Theme: Home Furnishing

Lavande et Miel: Lavender and Honey products and more

Like so many other shops in the street, it's just very attractive and quaint, inside and out, with quality products presented attractively.

What to buy: At this shop, they specialise in Lavender and Honey products.

What to pay: You can expect to pay more than you would elsewhere, say, Christchurch, as Akaroa is a bit more exclusive, but you'll also find many special things you might not find in Christchurch or elsewhere at all.

Address: Rue Lavaud

Directions: Main street, centre of town

Theme: Home Furnishing