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Shopping in Paris

Patience

Veteran

The days are counting down-- I'll be leaving for Paris a week from today. I probably will not do a ton of shopping but I'd love some suggestions. In particular, what's a good place to look for shoes (not designer expensive)? I've never been to an H&M-- should I try to make there? If there are several-- which ones?

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

Elika

One nice french shoe shop is minelli, of which there are several stores around Paris, and they have a lot of fun and good quality shoes (www.minelli.fr). Otherwise, there's a fantastic little shoe store in the 'marais' area, but I forgot the name... If I remember again, I'll post, but that's an area you'll really want to walk around and discover anyway

H&M is always great for affordable and nice alround pieces, and good to browse around. I think the nicest H&M in Paris is the one on the Rue de Rennes, on the left bank of the city, and there is quite a nice shopping area around there too (all sorts of shops, including an AF, and real designer shops of which it's fun to see the elaborately decorated windows).

Elika

Oh, I totally forgot to wish you tons of fun!

Antje

Veteran

Patience, if you can get your hands on InStyle magazine's issue from either Feb or March, it had a multi-page spread on shopping in Paris... I clipped it to take wtih me in August; maybe you know someone who reads the magazine and still has it?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exciting! You will have a ball.

You HAVE to go to Galeries Lafayette (“the” department store). In that area on Boulevard Haussmann, you’ll see all the mainstream Euro chains if you walk up and down that road. It’s quick stop shopping (the area is called “Opera”).

For the rest, I’m with Elika – “le Marais” is my favourite part of Paris. Gorgeous little shops, nooks and crannies (and the best Anne Fontaine). Have lunch at brasserie “Les Artistes” while you’re in le Marais. Have the cheese plate! (assiette du fromage). Bring a doggie bag for me!

Tanya

Veteran

I am subscribed to In Style and should have all the issues. Patience, I could look through and find the article and then I could mail those pages to you if you'd like.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm still trying to convince Patience to pack me in her suitcase. This sounds like such a fabulous trip. I can't wait to hear all the details!!

Patience

Veteran

Thank you for all of the suggestions! Tanya, that would be so nice of you to send me the article. Do you think it will make it in time? I think Hanna had suggested a while back that she could scan the article and email it to me.

I wish I could bring all of you treats from Paris.

Tanya

Veteran

Patience, when are you leaving? If I mailed it to you tomorrow ( I could do Express 1-2 day thing) would you get it on time?

If not I'll try scanning it and emailing it you.

Patience

Veteran

Tanya, I'm leaving Monday so 1-2 days should work. I don't want to put you to a lot of trouble, but if you want to do it, I will definitely get you a Paris treat. I think I've got your email already.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I also have the Instyles from February and March if you want them Patience.

Anonymous

Patience you know we all will be waiting to hear about your Paris adventures. You are so fortunate to be taking what I would think of as a trip of a life time. Have fun shopping. Oooh Anne Fontaine! How exciting to look forward to the best Anne Fontaine shop.

Patience

Veteran

Sounds like I should borrow the instyles from Ana. Thanks, Tanya and Ana.

lwc

I second the Galleries Lafayette and Marais suggestions.

You can also "shop" for outfits by watching the stylish French women around you. It's convicting and inspiring at the same time.

And to save posting time...

A red bus tour will help you to get the lay of the land in a few hours

Enjoy a chocolat chaud. Yum!

Macaroons at Laduree melt in your mouth, should you choose to indulge.

Have tea at the Ritz, if you have time. Catherine's isn't too far away, and they have tons of perfumes and will hook you up with the perfect fragrance for you.

L'Atlas Moroccain is a great restaurant in the 5th, if you like Moroccan food.

Visit Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur.

Will you have time to get out of the city? If so, then take the train to Versailles.

You will find many other tips on Fodors.com under the European travel message boards...a wealth of information from other travelers.

Bon Voyage!

Robyn

Hi Patience,
If you get to the Marais, it's enjoyable to pause for afternoon tea at Le Mariage Freres - a real tea shop with library-style shelves of beautiful teas and English-speaking assistants to help. The little place for having afternoon tea is charming and they do a stunning selection of sandwiches, pastries, etc. Just the thing after pounding the footpaths! It's at 30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg (and I think there's a new one in the Place de la Madeleine). http://www.mariagefreres.com/
If you go to the left bank to the Musee d'Orsay (which has a fabulous shop for presents and art souvenirs), nearby is the charming Rue du Bac - lovely to stroll down with stationery shops, clothes shops, patisseries, housey shops - just looking in the windows is a treat, and near the Rue du Bac metro station is the Bon Marche, another beautiful department store.
Have fun!
Robyn

Kari

Veteran

Patience, I am so envious! I hope you have a blast.

The one time I made it to Paris I did not get to shop (my dad thought it was silly to shop while on vacation) so I have no advice, but I look forward to hearing about your trip & hope you post some of your French finds!

Inge

(website)

I thought of one more, Patience. Perhaps you will like Mexx too. It's a Euro store that sells clothing that's a bit more dressy than Esprit, but the prices are comparable.

There's a store locator on their website.
http://www.mexx.com/mexxcms/op...../index.jsp
(don't judge the clothes by the pictures there though, I don't know how they do it, but everything looks much more dowdy than it actually is).