Has anyone bought cosmetics at Catherine's in Paris? It's supposed to have beauty products such as Lancome, Chanel, etc. at discount prices. How do the costs compare to duty-free at the airport or at say the Lancome store right in Paris?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

Elsa:<BR>The boutique is on a side street across from the Tuilerie gardens. It's okay, small, not a large selection. No they are not discount prices, they will take off the VAT at the store. I prefer the department stores or Sephora myself.

I am definitely not a shopper, but several things at Sephora. I've since found that everything I bought there was cheaper at home at Dillard's.

I bought perfume at Catherines, and was very satisfied. If you tell them a scent that you currently wear or have smelled on someone, and liked, they can figure out what "family" of scent you like and will make suggestions. I bought a Cartier scent, and one that is not imported to the US. Another source for inexpensive cosmetics is Monoprix. They carry the brand BOURGOIS, which is made in the Chanel factories. It is sold in Sephora and the major stores also here, but so much cheaper there. Be sure you have a list of your favorite items (and their prices) from Lancome, Chanel, Estee Lauder, etc, so you'll know if duty free is a value for you.

I shop at Catherine's on every trip to Paris. They absolutely discount, compared to prices here in New York and to prices at dept stores in Paris and even to duty-free. (I don't find prices all that low on anything at duty-free shops in airports, they take off the VAT but that's about it in my experience. When I shop there I'm usually just killing time or money.)<BR>At Catherine's as at other discount outlets like Michel Swiss, the more you spend, the better the deal.<BR>I thought the selection was very wide, at least they had all forms of the scents I wanted, plus lipsticks, etc.<BR>I'd go early in the day or late in the day, when it's not as busy.<BR>

Can anyone else weigh in on this?<BR><BR>