AlessandraZoe

My daughter will be moving into a furnished Paris apartment in the 7th this fall. We know from the apartment pictures that she will need to buy some type of storage items -- trunk doubling as coffee table, perhaps, and some time of clothes rack. Extension cords look to be a must, also.

Can you name some places we can shop for this stuff, and how in the heck does one transport bulky items? Other kid lived in NY and we used taxis for 99% of things since daughter was never home for delivery. What do carless Parisiens do?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

AnthonyGA

Stores like BHV (near the Hôtel de Ville—City Hall), Conforama, Habitat, and Ikea will have furnishings and all sorts of household goods. For transportation, a taxi is handy if the items are small enough to fit, otherwise you'll have to ask (and often pay for) home delivery. Small items can simply be brought home in the Métro.

BHV in particular has a good selection of DIY supplies like plumbing and electrical fittings and fixtures. The others are more oriented towards furniture. Darty is a chain of stores that is an excellent source for appliances; they have good delivery service and excellent after-sales service if something breaks down.

AlessandraZoe

Thanks, AnthonyGA. I knew about BHV. Good tip about Darty. This is sort of a side issue, but where in the heck do I buy the kid a "granny cart"? I have one here at home, but I just don't think I want to add it onto the packing list.

cafegoddess

AlessandraZoe,

I saw a lot of those"granny cart" along rue Rennes. The stores are small but they have a lot of household goodies.

Your daughter is so lucky!

Suzanne2

There is a little shop on Rue Cler where those granny carts can be purchased. There are little shops all over Paris selling them. They are not cheap.

AlessandraZoe

Thanks for the granny cart update.

Any of you actually use them? Can anyone tell me what type is the most useful? The one I have, a collapsible strong wire basic box one, probably has never left my suburban house, so I would not have a clue as to which type is best. Online I'm seeing wire ones with an additional little wire box, ones with covered bags, you name it. Personal experience is always key--and I don't have it.

AnthonyGA

There are lots of stores that sell large, sturdy bags at rock-bottom prices. For example, the FNAC sells huge, nearly indestructible bags for just one euro. Monoprix has nice bags, too. These bags are reusable and had hold immense amounts of weight, and they are roomy (especially the FNAC bags). These may be an alternative to granny carts in some cases.

AlessandraZoe

Thanks. I'm going to start a new thread on bank accounts. Please look for it, you lovely people.