I just moved to Paris almost 3 weeks ago, and I can't find contact solution. I went to Monoprix and the pharmacie. Am I just passing over it?? I can't imagine it's that hard to find!

I don't wear contacts, so I don't know much about it, but an American friend asked me to buy her a giant Wal-Mart bottle of the stuff on a trip to the U.S. Apparently in France it is a precious and expensive item that comes from behind the counter of the pharmacy.

You may be able to buy "solution pour lentilles de contact" at an optician like Grand Optical or Afflelou.

Have you tried asking for it by name - that may jog someones memory as to where they keep it in the store/pharmacy OR maybe go directly to one of the many opticians in Paris. I can't give you any specifics but I did notice one in Rue de Monttessuy many years ago. Could still be there.

In Italy, you buy it from an optician: it still costs the earth: perhaps its the same system?...I have no idea why salty water commands such a premium anywhere but its market forces clearly at work in both France and Italy (not nearly so expensive in Germany, BTW...but then you'd have to add on the price of the flight to Berlin!)

Contact solution is sold by opticians in France

There are lots of things in France you can't buy just by walking down the aisles in a supermarket, as in the US, even things you think are innocuous.. You just have to ask someone.

I bought some at a pharmacie this summer in Paris. I believe it was behind the counter, so we had to ask. I always find pharmacie shopping in France to be part of the trip, anyways.