GiuliaPiraino

I'd like spend a day in Paris shopping on my own while DH goes off to do his own thing.

I was thinking of mapping out a shopping trail on paper and I wondered if anyone had already done this? Or is there a guide book that anyone recommends that has like a guided shopping tour that goes in a logical sequence? I've heard of the Born to Shop series, but when I flipped through it, it seemed like just a reference guide to where to buy specific things. I was kind of looking for a self guided tour that could fill about 6-8 hours on my own. We're staying on the Ile St Louis, so it would be nice if I could start at the furthest point and just work my way back.

Is it better to boutique shop or department store shop? Does anyone have any preferences one over the other in Paris? I'm not into the super couture shops and the little boutiques, I guess I prefer more annonymous shopping. Is there a good trail of department stores? Or are they all spread out?

yellowrose22

Are you familiar with LUXE City Guides www.luxecityguides.com? It includes shopping itineraries. It may be just what you are looking for. Also, check out http://chicshoppingparis.com/. Happy Shopping.

rivoli

If you're not interested in a particular designer, then go to Galeries Layfayette and Printemps. They are right next to each other on Haussmann and carry a huge variety of French fashion,cosmetics, perfume, linens, silver, crystal, food, etc. They also give a 10% tourist discount. You can easily loose yourself for a day in them.

Lostmymind

The Galleries Layfayette has two champagne bars so make sure you take a break.

GiuliaPiraino

Thanks for the posts, they're great! I'm looking forward to browsing through the sites!

yipper

Hi,

I recently went to Paris just to eat and shop. I really did not buy much, but I love the little boutiques. We stayed in the 6th, which is filled with dress shops, antiques, home furnishings, flower shops, linens, children's clothing, etc. You are also close to the Bon Marche in the St. Germaine area. I bought a book called "The Riches of Paris", by Maribeth Clement. She divides Paris shopping into districts and reveals the unique characteristics of each area of Paris and the shops found therein, and then she breaks the districts into categories. It was easy to use and useful. One shop had closed when I search for it and I did find the kitchen shop I was hoping for, but it is a good place to start. Have a great time

dina4

I accumulated some shopping notes for our trip to Paris two years ago. Most are from this forum. Here they are:

For discounts on china and other table goods, check out the stores on the rue Paradis.

Visitors who have had enough of museums can go to the free, half-hour haute couture and prêt-à-porter fashion show on the seventh floor of the Galeries Lafayette department store every Friday at 3 p.m. Both men's and women's fashions are featured. Reservations are a must (33-1-42-82-30-25; www.galerieslafayette.com)

Right Bank:
1. WEST ROUTE --north on hotel street, around place Vendome, back down to Rue St Honore- rt, rt on Ru royale around Place de Madeline and back down Rue Royal. Left on Rue de Rivoli, back to hotel.
o Rivoli is a long street with loads of inexpensive boutiques, I was only pointing out that they have an H&M as well as a gap.
o The BHV --Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, 52 - 56 rue de Rivoli, 1st Arr, across from Hotel de Ville. The store is famous for its housewares, household gadgets, home goods, hardware etc. It's open Mon thru Sat 9:30 to 6:30 and until 10pm Wed. There is a cafe on the basement level. Has a huge clothing section.
o incredibly beautiful Guirlain shop on the Rue St Honoré.
o The expensive shops are on the St Honore and the Faubourg St Honoré.
o the Vessaillerie shop on the rue St-Honoré, just around the corner from the intersection with the Place du Marché St-Honoré -- beautiful Limoges canapé plates that were the equivalent of 4 Euros each


2. EAST ROUTE--North on hotel street, right on Rue St. Honore, left on R Croix des petits Champs
o GALERIE VERO-DODAT. Built in 1826, it one of the oldest and prettiest passages. It is dark and atmospheric, with mahogany paneling and an old-fashioned floor of diagonal black-and-white tiles. Developed by a pair of wealthy charcutiers who gave it their names, it opened in 1822 and was an immediate success. Nicely restored, the Véro-Dodat, perhaps more than any other passage, retains its original character, with 38 identical boutiques displaying their wares in narrow arched windows surrounded by gilt edging. Robert Capia?s curiosity shop at #26 is very popular.
Then choose either more passages (see notes)
o 9th: do not miss its passages couverts:
Passage Verdeau (from Rue du Faubourg montmartre to Rue Grange Bateliere)
Passage Jouffroy (from Rue Grande Bateliere to Boulevard Montmartre.

If you cross the road, you are in the second arrondissement. You will find (just opposite) Passage des Panoramas, the first of all passages couverts of Paris.

3. Champs-Elysee

4. Marais area is supposed to be great, too!
o the rue francs-bourgeois is known for its boutiques. Our daughter found great clothing at very reasonable prices (this was sale week in June)
o also the rue de turenne near the place des vosges.
o Try walking through St.Paul Village area..lots of little shops, some antiques and collectibles....
o rue Francois Bourgeois which runs parallel to the Place des Vosges has a lot of wonderful young designer jewelry/clothing shops, as do many of the streets near the Picasso Museum.


Left Bank:
1. Near St. Sulpice and Luxembourg Gardens: Rue de Sevres and Rue St. Germaine.
2. Between Blvd St Germain and Luxembourg Gardens are some fine small boutiques, some are pricey and some have things that are reasonable .. Some nice stores with handbags there too.
3. rue Dragon- Left Bank- Shoes shoe glorious shoes
Rue de Grenelle has some darling small shops for home and so does rue Dominique..
4. ??Deyrolle, an amazing taxidermy shop

Have a great time!

surfmom

I would actually recommend against the big department stores... for me, the fun has always been in the small boutique-y (is that a word?) stores.

Is there anything specifically you are looking for ? I would pick the 2 or 3 'must haves' and focus on going to people's favorites for those and then work from there.

ie. kids' books & toys ? kitchen? clothes ? shoes? house items ? linens ? books ? souvenirs ? food items ?

have plenty of fun (oh yeah, and money)

GiuliaPiraino

Great posts thanks! I usually like to take back smaller items, since I only travel with one carry-on bag. Unique jewelry, small handbags and wallets, perfumes. I like unusual silver jewelry, gold is a bit too pricey these days, but high quality costume and sterling jewelry would float my boat for sure.

I would love to buy clothes but unfortunately they rarely fit me properly in France and Italy due to my proportions, Spainish clothes are the only ones that fit me well. They must have more tall, curvy ladies there-LOL