Shopping in France is unlike any other shopping experience. Firstly, there’s those magical, creative window displays from the boulangerie to Balenciaga that capture your attention and admiration. France is not however known for its customer service. Many stores can be very slow to serve you (at times even acknowledge your existence). Do what the French do; when you walk in, say in your loudest voice “Bonjour”, it breaks the ice. If they don’t reply you know you’re in trouble!
Also avoid shopping on a Mondays, many stores are closed or open after 2pm. Paris is quiet on Sundays, some stores are open around the trendy Marais or touristy areas such as Champ des Elysèes.
From Tuesday-Saturday most shops open from 10am till 7pm (Department stores 9am till 7pm). But this varies as there are so so many public holidays in France. But act like a Parisian and shop either during the ‘SOLDE’ (sale time Jan 8 2008), at a ‘ventee privee’ or in one of the many discount designer streets.
Come Shop with me - Discount Designer Shopping
If you would like to be escorted to some great discount designer streets then let me be your escort. I’ll organise a morning or afternoon of shopping for great brands like Cacharel, Sonia Rykiel, Chanel and much more.
Shopping on your own can be a little daunting. I’ll personally assist with all your communications needs, organise sizes and other preferences so you spend more time in the dressing room deciding on your Parisian wardrobe.
We’ll shop for clothes, shoes, rest, then more shopping. Its easy, let me know your preferred dates, preferred brands, I’ll create a few suggestions and off we go. I’ll also put together a list of other ‘must see’ shops in Paris to visit at your leisure.
Morning Tour: Allow 3 hours, choose either 9.30am or 2.30pm : Meeting point at your hotel or apartment.
3 hour tour = 150* euros
3 hour with lunch = 185* euros
*Metro included. Afterwards I’ll create a list of other ‘special’ shopping places to visit at your leisure.
Email: ally@myweekin.net
SHOP
Tourist reduction card and VAT
— There’s a 19.5% VAT on most goods that tourists can reclaim a portion of if they live outside the EU. Some smaller boutiques don’t offer a rebate due the amount of paperwork. But all the major departments stores have offices where you can commence your claim however you’ll need to spend around 180 euros and this won't apply to designer brand names such as Louis Vouitton, Gucci etc.
Before you leave home get organised, take extra copies of your passport to leave with the various stores. A vat form will be required for each purchase.
To claim: When you leave Paris, customs must stamp your forms, so arrive early as everyone else might have the same idea. One copy is retained and you keep one. Then you need to post a form to the retailer (preferably from the airport before you forget and in a pre-paid envelope that you should also recieve!), then wait and hope! The refund is normally credited to your credit card.
Also, before you start shopping at the big department stores, seek out the Welcome Desk and enquire about their tourist benefits. Most offer a further 10% discount shopping card, some free delivery to your hotel and who knows, maybe a glass of champagne after several thousands euros have been spent!
Pic by Amanda Lane
My Paris Poem for shopping
— If you want trendy, hip new designers, groovy bars and bagels go the Marais; if
Luxe is a must then its Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Elysees followed by the Dior, and of course more at Ave Montaigne and Avenue George V now you’re in the The Golden Triangle.
But for the bargains, bumper crowds and bonus shopping its Boulevard Haussmann home to the BIG ones, Printemps, Galleries La Fayette, GAP. If you’re more into originality, orange and definitely not what the neighbours are wearing go to Rue Montmarte and Etienne Marcel, home to the the hip crowd, Miss Sixty, Disabless, Patrick Cox – And if you just want to ‘bag’ a bargain browse the chain stores particularly Monoprix – good quality kids and women’s wear and accessories its ‘moins cher’ and very similar to some of those designs on the main street!
Last, but not least, shop for pure pleasure, the boutiques in St. Germain Des Pres, but I didn’t need to tell you that!
Bon Marche Rvie Gauche
— Don't miss a trip to this wonderful store, full of glamour and other shopping comforts. Their 'Grande Epicerie' is perfect for lunch or little gift ideas.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am till 7.30pm, Friday and Saturdays till 8pm.
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Free Fashion Show?
— Galeries Lafayette offers free fashion shows during the week.
Head to Galeries Lafayette every Friday 3pm, 7th floor however you need to book for this 30 min show (English commentary).
If you’ve subscribed we’ll book you in (earlier the better) and you’ll receive an email confirmation. However don’t forget to cancel if you can’t make it!
Mon Dressing Secret
— OK this site is in French but what a great idea. Hire your Gucci bag with your Dolce & Gabbana dress and hit the town. You can choose to hire for a week or a night. You do have to join and, of course, it helps if you can undersand French. But if you're in Paris for a month why not walk the Champs des Elysées in your Sunday Designer best!
www.mondressingsecret.com
Purcell Fashion Paris - for brand names
— Men and Women’s boutique quality brands only; D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Lacroix, La Martina and more. Situated just off the Avenue des Champs Elyseés, staff are bi-lingual. Open from Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 7.30pm
www.purcell.fr
Purcell, 26 avenue des Champs Elyseés, 75008 t: 01 42 89 02 01
Les Halles
— This site is about reporting all things positive. However, if I’m to say anything about Les Halles, its don’t go. Once a thriving fresh food marketplace, its been replaced with a sad sort of excuse for mall shopping. Its the antithesis of what shopping in Paris is all about. However, if you need some sports wear, there’s Go Sport and numerous ‘moins cher’ women’s clothing as well as cinemas and restaurants.
M: Les Halles
Need a good english read?
— WH Smith – Two levels of novels, magazines, videos, guides and children’s section. 248 rue de Rivoli Magazines and books
Tea & Tattered Pages, 24 rue Mayet in the 6th,
Great if you’re feeling homesick for an English read, a bagel or just a cup of tea
Shakespeare & Co, 37 rue de la Bûcherie – no longer just a bookshop but an institution. If you’re in Paris for a while go along for a reading or workshop. Open 12-12pm
Brentanos, 37 ave de L’Opera - great seleciton of books in all categories.
Galignani, 224, rue de Rivoli, 75001, go here for fine arts books, coffee table editions; they also have a selection of newspapers and magazines.