Shopping in Paris?

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worldglobetrottergirl

It's always fun to browse the shops in Paris. I really can't say what the price comparison for LV bags or Chanel shades...it's worth a look.

I wouldn't buy any LV bags at the flea markets and expect them to be real though. *g*

The best place to buy souvenirs is on Rue de Rivoli. It's right across from the Louvre...lots and lots of shops. Also, there are some great shops to the left of Notre Dame. The Quasimodo Cafe is quite good and cheap. A good rule of thumb is the further you go away from a major tourist site, the cheaper the souvenirs.

The picture you'll need for the Carte Orange is 1x1, I think. I would just get another passport size photo and then trim it down to the proper size once you get the actual Carte Orange. The photo just needs to be in color and a good representation of your face.

michael

"bon marchÃ©" is a very expensive place.

if you want to have many choice, go to Printemps and Galeries lafayette on hausmann bld. products are at the normal price.

if you prefer small shops, you have saint germain boulevard, and "le marais".

link for you :
http://www.paris.org/

Rillifane

My observation is that you won't routinely find big savings on name brand goods but then my female friends tells me that I am absolutely hopeless at the art of shopping.

With that understanding (that I don't know squat about shopping), I might suggest checking out the Flea Market. This website tell you a bit about it (and other such markets): http://www.parispuces.com/en/Default.asp?frame=environs/centre_acces.html

P.S. A passport sized photo is what is needed. A photobooth photo will also serve.

salut_mes_amis_noirs

That is absolutely not true!!! I went to Paris for a month this June and believe me, Paris is not cheap!!! There was this place called "Bon Marche" where they sold nothing by designer clothing/accessories including Louis Vuiton and Chanel and it was crazily expensive. Moreso than here. Bags for 2000 Euros+. But seriously, Paris is expensive. Also soda (cans) cost 2 Euros which is about 3 dollars!!!! Sometimes they're even more. My advice, don't buy food near touristy spots. You'll get suckered into buying things 100 times more than they actually are. There is this chain called Mono Prix. It's like a grocery store and sometimes it includes a small bakery and pharmacy (kind of like Walgreens). Buy drinks there!! They actually have reasonable prices. Also, if you're planning on staying in Paris for more than 1 week, you should buy a metro/bus pass for around 18 euros and you can ride all the metro subways and buses for a week . You can buy them in any metro station. 18 euros is really worth it considering a metro ticket costs 2 euros (not round trip) and riding the metro around the city is really easy especially if you're planning on hitting the touristy spots. Aside from your regular Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the Louvre, visit Muse d'Orsay. That's where Picaso and Monet are. Also go to the Sacre Coeur Cathedrale (Sacred Heart Cathedral). It's on a hill and you get this amazing view of the city. The cathedral itself is gorgeous as well. Well that's my advice. And beware, Parisian drivers are crazy! Oh and if sketchy/shady people come up to you and ask if you speak English, SHAKE YOUR HEAD and keep walking. They will try to get money off of you by presenting you with this english sign telling you about their starving family, etc. etc. It's a scam!! And beware of pickpocketers (not trying to be paranoid or anything). Just be safe and not sorry. Have fun in Paris! You'll love it.

Oh yeah, I forgot, if you do plan on buying the Metro/Bus Pass (which you should!) you have to bring with you a photo of yourself so they can lamenate it into ur ID/Pass. Just a regular passport picture would work, or if you prefer, find one of those instant photo booths. Again, have fun!

Yes, bring another copy of your passport picture. You just give it to them and they'll lamenate it on your pass.

Dani

i have never noticed a big change in price for luxury items, it's usually just converted into euros. however, you can find things here that won't be in the us, collections are sometimes different from country to country or come out later. plus, with the dollar-euro exchange rate being so weak you're almost better off buying it in the states since LV bags are pretty much the same everywhere. chanel maybe different, depending on what you get.

and for the metro card, just take the photos here because our passport size photos are larger than the standard ones here. you can take 4 ID size photos in any photomatron machine in the metro stations for 4 euros. i've always used them and the quality is decent.

duoak

Yes, luxury items are generally cheaper than in the U.S. Also, if you bring your U.S. passport with you when you shop, you can get a refund of the VAT tax when you depart from Paris. Galleries Lafayette is good about this. However, when you get your tax forms make sure that the correct item description is on it or you won't get the refund. Also, get to the airport early - but no earlier than 3 hours before your flight. The Duty Free line at Charles De Gaulle airport is right next to the American Express line.

People who say items are cheaper in the U.S. are probably getting imitations in the U.S. In general, real luxury brand items (such as Prada) which are sold at full retail price are cheaper in Europe, even with the horrible exchange rate.

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