I would love to pick up a pair of eyeglasses while in Paris. I know I can buy the frames and have the lenses put in back in the States. However, does anyone know if it might be less expensive to take my Rx with me and have the whole thing done in Paris?

We did this last summer for DD. We brought her Rx with us, but ended up just getting the frames and doing the Rx here at home. BTW, she loves the glasses and gets compliments all the time. It was one of her splurges and she is still glad she did it. I think the name of the place we went was Grand Optics, if that helps.

Ooh la la- how I wish I had done that, now! My daughter bought some there and is stopped all the time for compliments. We did the RX at home, because of insurance paperwork and wanting to be sure if there were any problems- I suppose if you have long enough in the city?

There were lots and lots of stores from which to choose! I would take the RX in case you have a special need- bifocals or the like- to make sure the frames are "deep" enough.

On one trip, I forgot to bring my glasses (I wear contact lenses most of the day but have to change to glasses at the end of the day if my eyes get tired or irritated) and asked about getting a new pair done there. They said it would take at least a week. My trip was less than a week, so that didn't work! They didn't have one-hour places, at least not back then (2002).

"They didn't have one-hour places, at least not back then (2002)."

Cobblers. GrandOptical have been offering a one-hour service since at least 1990.

The difference between French and American opticians (apart from the fashionableness of the frames) is that one-hour service is slightly rarer in France. But there's one in just about every mall, and there are lots around (generally and blissfully mall-free) central Paris. Just as in Manhattan, though, not every optical shop has a lab in the store.

I always go to Grand Optical, but there is so much competition that Optique 2000, Alain Afflelou, Grande Optique or a number of the other major chains are just as good. They all offer a second pair of prescription glasses for 1€ (because it is illegal to say "free&quot.

And they all have 1 hour service.

Thank you so much for your replies. At my age, I do need bifocals and y lenses are quite thick. I always take my Rx with me just in case. I will be there 3 weeks so that should be plenty of time if I decide to put the lenses in the glasses while I am there. Again, thanks.