I may need one when I'm in Europe next month and already know a duel voltage model is not "the answer."

Will be staying in a hotel near the Louvre and am reading that Monoprix might be the best place to purchase one.

Agree, disagree, alternate suggestions and thank you.

A coussin chauffant will likely cost you a pretty penny in France, but you're right that a dual-voltage contraption is not the answer.

Besides Monoprix, you can probably find one at any pharmacy, or FNAC, or a local quincaillerie.

what about using a "old fashioned" hot water bottle? You could even take it with you - no need to deal with electricity

I was thinking the same thing. A hot water bottle would be a lot less expensive and work as well or better

Perhaps BHV will have one?

Could you order one online in advance? I admit I don't know where, but I would try to exhaust that possibility first. Unless you've tried already?

Monoprix might have one, but I wouldn't count on it (they don't even have one online). I just don't think that's a very common item nowadays. But if they are close, it would be easiest to check there first. Otherwise, I agree BHV might have one, or check Darty inside Les Halles or at the Madeleine. It has small electronics, and they do sell those on their online website.
this is the cheapest one they have
http://www.darty.com/nav/achat/gros_...ia_ad_024.html

Luckily, you can search by store to see if it is in stock and it seems to be in stock in many of the Paris branches, including the Madeleine and Les Halles.

I would not expect FNAC to have anything like that in their stores, they have audio/visual type electronic stuff. They do have some online but it's sold by outside vendors, not FNAC.

For example:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastex-Standar.../dp/B0035R8SOA

The one I linked to is cheap--$22--and not dual voltage but 220 only.

Thanks very much for the responses: very helpful.

NewbE, Thank you for that link.

Alternate suggestion: we pack a lot of disposable Thermacre heating pads, buy them in bulk at COSTCO. They last over 8 hours.
Also found them at Heathrow in local drug store in the airport.

FNAC does have them. This and several other models:

http://www.fnac.com/mp13033166/ASTOR...leu-AD025A/w-4

HappyTrvlr and St. Cirq, thank you for the suggestion and for the FNAC information. You guys are the best for sure.

Bought one a Monoprix 21 Avenue de l'Opéra, 75001 Paris, France a couple of years ago. Not far from Louvre.

Is there some reason that buying from a French seller and paying twice as much is preferable? And yet their advice is the best? LOL.

Why would you NOT buy from a French seller? You can't bring one from the USA and expect it will work, even with a converter, unless you want to burn down the hotel.

My husband takes thermo heat pads with him. Good on the airplane and they last 8 hours.

I stopped using converters after I plugged one in while in an Amsterdam hotel room and the lights on the entire floor went out!

One can often find 220 items on eBay. That's where I got my granddaughter's hair straightener (I refuse to call them flatirons. I'm old enough to remember another item with that name. And not pleasant memories).