asking fashionistas or others in the know...
 

I am trying to think of a nice Mother's day present (or addendum rather, as I already have a few gifts lined up).

are there any new (or old even) scents in Paris which you cannot find here in the US?

many thanks in advance...

Perfume is a very personal gift, a no-no unless you know what they like. For instance, I like Amber as a high light, some may like a fruitier or lemony scent. I was once given a very expensive bottle of a Gardenia scent that I hated. It's like any beauty product, we all have our preferences be it lipstick or soaps. I hate lush products others like them, but I'd buy them for you if you were my friend and preferred them. But you would be wasting money on me. I always ask what scents they prefer.

I wear a classic old french parfume which I get a lot of compliments on and seems timeless: Jean-Louis Scherre... but it is true that different scents smell different on different people. I don't know how easy it will be to find. I would try smaller stores that are specific to perfume.

Caron, Avenue Montaigne, 8th Ar. This place is not for novices.

I have worn Coriandre by Jean Coutier (Paris) for two decades at least. I can find it every now and then in the US but it was everywhere in Paris.I always get compliments on it.

thank you everyone!

John G: so I suppose I should leave my hiking boots at home? ;-)

I side with cigalechanta, don't buy a perfume for your mother unless you know she'd like it. If she doesn't, it will backfire--either she'll be forced to pretend liking a scent she doesn't so you won't feel bad or if she won't wear it, you'll have wasted your money on something she doesn't like and can't possibly use.
Perhaps you could instead buy a beautiful French crystal bottle to hold the perfume she DOES like.
Re scents, I wear the eau de toilette from Darphin and receive loads of compliments about it. The last time we were in Paris, as we were checking in to our hotel, the (lady) manager on duty asked me what perfume I was wearing and where I got it. She was very surprised to learn it was Darphin and bought a bottle for herself the next day. It's a light fresh scent, FYI and costs about 50 euros.

"don't buy a perfume for your mother unless you know she'd like it".
- aren't you suppose to know what parfume your mother likes?

I wear Dali parfume as long as I can remember (bergamot makes it so unique)
Can find through websites only.

PamSF,
Coriander, omg, I use to use it so long ago but I still have little square bottle with few drops left. Saved forever...

BTilke
I use and love Darphin shampoos! They also have a lovely soft scent.
These days, it seems, that if it is popular or made by a large perfume house, the scent will be sold in the US..I have been to Paris, come home with something I have never heard of and within months, it is in NYC or even on the web.
I think just the fact that it comes from Paris (and you), your mother will love it.

Creed perfumes come beautifully packaged and make a wonderful gift, and of course have the most exquisite scents.

However, be careful in buying perfumes, they are, as others have mentioned, very personal items.

flygirl- One thing I would add - as a "safer" gift, if you know which perfume she prefers you may be able to find it in an alcohol-free formulation in Paris. These are supposedly better to wear in the summertime, though I'm not really sure why. I think it has to do with the scent not fading or changing as fast (anybody know?). Alcohol-free is an unknown where I live, and I wish I'd bought myself some alcohol-free L'Eau D'Issey when I spotted it last time I was in Paris - I've never seen it since. Good Luck!

thanks everyone!

I could always go by my old standby for her, as it's getting harder and harder to find here in the US now. thank you for all the thoughtful comments!

BTilke, I like the crystal idea as well. any suggestions on where to find one (not just Paris, I will be in Normandy, Brittany, and parts of CH as well).

thanks again.

PamSF, I adore Coriandre and sometimes find it at T. J. Maxx at a substantial discount. I get lots of compliments on it; however, two women I worked with asked me if I minded if they bought some and then both said it didn't smell the same on them.

You can wear what you like to Parfum Caron. However, don't go in thinking that you are going to find something that smells like the Strawberry Mousse Gel that you buy at Bath $ Bodyworks. If you don't have a sophisticated nose this shop is not for you.

I love Creed, my favourite being the Green Forest cologne.

you can't go wrong w/ annick goutal, near St. Sulpice, left bank. Many choices - gorgeous little boutique - nice staff - if you decide against buying it for Mom, get it for you!

Go with the person with the least gush!

I second Caron-it's my favorite, most quintessential Parisian store imo. The staff was very helpful and they have lots of other goodies too.

That's a nice scent, John.
For those who can't get to Paris, you can buy Creed at Barney's.

thank you again everyone!

John G, I refuse to so much as set foot in a Bath & Body works. bleh.

it's no worse than Lush!