buying birkenstocks in paris
 

hello fodorites,

i was reading fodor's paris 2008 guide yesterday and noticed that birkenstocks may be significantly cheaper in paris (page 214).

can anyone tell me where i would buy birkenstocks in paris?? i've checked birkenstock.com and the website doesn't list retailers in france...

thanks!!!

They're not very popular with the french for some reason :)

I've never seen them in Paris.

sigh. i was worried about that!!!

i pay over $100 (canadian) at home ... and while they aren't the most fashionable sandals, they are amazingly comfortable for my ridiculously flat feet.

i plan to stock up on mephistos while i'm in paris as well (seeing as how they're well over $300 at home).

if no one has ever seen birkenstocks in paris, can someone tell me how to contact fodors to ask them about the background for their info on page 214?

On a French blog I found the following references for buying Birkenstock in Paris.

BRAND BAZAR
33-35 RUE DE SEVRES
75006 Paris 6eme arrondissement
01 45 44 40 02

LITTLE
86 AVENUE PAUL DOUMER
75116 Paris 16eme arrondissement
01 42 24 02 17

Hi lilaki,

Not sure if this also applies to Paris, but in Austria and Germany, Birkenstocks were sold in drug stores (not the ones with make-up but what we Americans would call a pharmacy).

Good luck!

s

There's Birkenstock shop in the Marais (Rue Sévigné) which will no doubt have all the orthopaedic flip-flops you could ever want.

You may need to sharpen your elbows before visiting though, as every time I've been past it it has been practically bursting at the seams.

Have fun!

hi everyone,

thanks for all the responses!

i didn't even think to look on pagesjaune.fr ...

here's the exact location:
Boutique Birkenstock
16 r Sévigné 75004 PARIS
.01 40 27 96 99

i will definitely head over to the shop when i'm in paris.

Jay_G - do you happen to know the approximate price of the sandals at this location??

thanks again!!

If you are interested in Mephisto, they are an excellent buy in France, as most of the line is manufactured in that country and it is a French company.

Hi lilaki,
I'm afraid I have no idea of the price, as I'm not really a flip-flop wearer, but have some French friends (both male and female) who all have more than one pair, so I imagine they can't be too dear.

And as mentioned before, if the scrum in the shop is anything to go buy, there are clearly some bargains to be had.

hi fodorites,

thought i would update this thread ...

i was in the birkenstock shop this afternoon in the marais and women's sandals start around 48 euros (single strap). the gizeh style (flip flop style) was about 65 euros. there were a few pairs in the back shelves that were on sale ... the cheapest pair there was 33 euros ... but only came in limited sizes.

i picked up one pair of sandals but was disappointed in the overall selection (quite small) ... i was surprised that i can find more styles at the birkestock shop in toronto. however, i saved maybe $30 - 40 (canadian) with my purchase so i'm happy ... and so are my feet as i can wear my new sandals around the apartment after a long day of walking!

thanks to all for their help/input.

check the exchange rate before buying. significantly cheaper may not hold true with the ways things are going today