Shopping

Why does everything from pastries to clothes, jewelry and home furnishings just look better in a Paris window? Parisians have a knack for display and presentation. They’ve been doing it for centuries. Here, appearances are EVERYTHING. That’s only one of the reasons why window-shopping is a national past-time. And maybe you’ll find window shopping to be a great way to spend your time and save some money. French women do a great deal of window-shopping for obvious reasons. It’s a way of comparing styles, quality and prices before deciding to make a purchase. Some might even go back home and sew a similar dress or pantsuit for a themselves or for a family member. Some of us wait to see which fads become instant flops and which fads integrate well into streetwear. And some wait for the big sales which are traditionally the last two weeks of January and beginning of July.
(The winter and summer sales are getting fuzzier each year. Summer sales can begin as early as the last week of June and the winter sales are now extending into February).

While you’re in Paris you may have your heart set on one ‘big’ item such as a designer handbag or shoes. Or you may just be looking for a simple souvenir of your trip for yourself or for family and friends. If you’ve been assigned to search for a specific item such as Sevres porcelain, Daum glass, or French perfume, be sure to e-mail me, and I’ll try to get you going in the right direction.

I’ve mentioned in past posts the French guide ‘Paris Pas Cher’ or ‘Inexpensive Paris’ which has been an invaluable guide - for me- for finding less expensive items in all sorts of categories ranging from lighting fixtures to handbags.

Be sure to check my Parislogue posts for specific shopping events such as the winter sales.

Here are some basic shopping tips to get you started.

Souvenir shopping
If you have only a few short days in Paris, you can find plenty of souvenir shops at Montmartre’s Place du Tertre - the shops are open in the evening and on Sundays.
If you’re visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, cross the bridge to Paris’s Left Bank to visit souvenir shops adjacent to the Cathedral. At the same time, you can browse through the book stands which line both the Left Bank and the Right Bank of the Seine River.
If you’re on the Champs Elysees, explore the Champs Elysees passages which often include souvenir shops.
If you’re at the Eiffel Tower, you can buy mini-models of the Eiffel Tower while you’re there. There’s even a post office on the Eiffel Tower from which you can post cards to friends.
If you’re at the outdoor morning markets located in every Paris neighborhood, you’ll find plenty of stands selling handbags, scarves and accessories at reasonable prices.
If you’re in a department store district, you can visit Galerie Lafayette’s sixth floor souvenir section.
Monoprix, an inexpensive chain similar to K-mart also has a small souvenir section. There’s a Monoprix located on the Champs Elysees at the intersection with Rue de la Boetie.
Don’t forget the Paris subway shops as a place for souvenir shopping. You can buy handbags, t-shirts and scarves here at very reasonable prices.
If you’re at Luxembourg gardens, go to Rue Vavin for kids clothes and toys.

Paris Flea Markets
The easiest way to get to the Paris Flea Market (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) is to hop on the #4 Metro Line headed toward Porte de Clignancourt. Take the train to the end of the line and you’re there. The Flea Market known either as the Porte de Clignancourt market or more commonly as the St. Ouen flea market is huge. Be sure to check out the fleamarket site first to decide where you’d like to start. If you’re interested in antiques, you have to walk toward the enclaves such as the Biron covered stalls to get into the thick of it. Wear comfortable walking shoes. If you decide to really splurge and buy furniture, shipping is possible (although expensive). You may end up spending as much for the shipping as the cost of the furniture but if it’s something you love - then it’s worth it.

Other flea markets such as the Porte de Vanves and Montreuil (Metro: Porte de Montreuil) in the northeast (20eme) have recently been getting more coverage as the places to discover real ‘finds’. Porte de Vanves (Metro:Porte de Vanves) is located in Paris’s southern sector. I haven’t yet visited these markets so I can’t confirm whether or not they promise little treasures or not. In 1991, a person bought a painting at the Montreuil market attributed to Van Gogh for a song. You may not be that lucky, but you’re more likely to a find a less commercialized market compared to Clignancourt which is somewhat overwhelmed by professional vendors.

Shopping Neighborhoods

Right Bank

Luxury and Designer Clothes
Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile, George V, Franklin Roosevelt, Champs Elysees
Champs Elysees - Avenue Montaigne - Faubourg St. Honore - Rue St. Honore

Metro: Miromesnil
Secret Spot: Miss Griffes - 15 rue Penthievre (designer discounted womens’ wear)

Metro: Concorde
Place Vendome (strictly window shopping for most of us!)
Rue Cambon - Chanel
Rue de Rivoli arcade (more affordable)

Metro: Victor Hugo, Boissier,
Place Victor Hugo, Blvd. Victor Hugo
These are local right bank boutiques frequented by neighborhood residents.

Metro: Bourse
Place des Victoires (and nearby Passages i.e Passage Vivienne)
Avenue de l’Opera

Grands Boulevards (just to the north of the Garnier Opera House)
Metro: Havre-Caumartin
Department stores, Galleries Lafayette, Au Printemps

Metro: Hotel de Ville
BHV Bazaar Hotel de Ville
Vast department store including specialties such as Daum glassware.

Mero: St. Paul
Marais District
Trendy boutiques throughout the district. Jewelry and bead shops.

Left Bank

Designer Shops
Metro: St. Germain des Pres
Blvd. St. Germain (Emporio Armani)
Rue de Grenelle (shoes),- Rue du Cherche Midi - Rue du Four

Department Stores
Au Bon Marche (Rue du Bac, Rue du Cherche Midi)
Metro: Montparnasse
Galeries Lafayette (Centre Commerciale Gare Montparnasse)

Chain Boutiques such as Mango, H&M, inexpensive shoe stores
Metro: Montparnasse, Rennes, St. Germain des Pres, St. Sulpice
Rue de Rennes

Discount Shops
‘Stock’ or ‘degriffe’ are discount stores
Metro: Alesia
Rue Alesia has a row of discount designer shops frequented by Parisians.

Children’s Clothing
Metro: Vavin
Rue Vavin.
Take a stroll either or to or from the Luxembourg Gardens to check out the children’s clothes and toy shops.

Consignment Shops
The consignment shop in Paris (or depot-vente is not the same animal as its American counterpart). To begin with the items you’ll find in Paris consignment shops tend to be more ‘used’ than those you find stateside. That being said, you can find the amazing prize such as Ines de la Fressange silk blouse for 60 Euros. Yes, it can happen, but it’s hard work and not as much fun. Consignment is only fun when you and the seller share a sense of conspiracy. I have yet to find the consignment sales clerk in Paris who regards who prospective clients as sisters-at-arms in our pursuit for the great deal.

Therefore, I am only recommending ONE consignment shop on Rue Mayet
FAN-FAN where the owners are exceedingly polite. This shop is for you if you happen to be Very trim. Sizes tend to be petite.
Fan-Fan is located on the same side of the street as Tea and Tattered Pages (the English language bookstore).
Metro: Solferino

My Favorite Hat Shop
Divine
Rue Daguere

This is a VERY basic guideline to Paris shopping which is really an artform unto itself. I am by no means an ‘expert’ on this subject, but I’ve clocked an ample number of kilometers. Read my daily entries for updates and links to other Paris shopping guides as I discover them.

Know the names of French designer labels before you go!

Here’s a handy listing of French designer labels and their websites.

Some favorites with young French professionals are
IKKA
Cop-Copines
Caroll (classic)
Camaieu (reasonably priced for summer and casual wear)