Great buys in Paris
 

I know there are many threads on Parisian shopping and products. But I am wondering if we could maybe start a discussion in one spot on what items in particular are a good buy there as compared in the US (esp. considering the exchange rate.)And where to purchase them. Any contributions would be appreciated for a spring trip for teachers on a budget. Thank you all. You have never let me down!

Fleur de Sel. This salt from Brittany and from southern France comes packaged in various ways; these cork topped containers from the Camargue are readily available in supermarkets both here and in France. In NYC they cost about $10; in France, a few euro. Light and unbreakable,they make wonderful gifts:


http://www.amazon.com/Saunier-Fleur-.../dp/B00018XFFI

Great! This was just what I was hoping for!!!Thanks!

..speaking of food items, another good one is dried mushrooms. Both dried cepes (porcini) and dried morels and even dried chanterelles (less easy to find) will be appreciated by a cook. Make sure these come from France and not from eastern Europe. I cannot give you exact pricing because I've not been in France in more than one year, but they will be less costly there than in the US.



Another item I usually bring home is Amora mustard; found in any supermarket for a euro or so. It comes packed in both glass jars and plastic containers and would be appreciated by a cook.

http://www.french-parcel.com/catalog...acturers_id=51



Also in supermarkets, jars of mixed salts with grinders built into the jar--look various blends for grillades, poissons, etc--make a good, inexpensive gift.

A bit more costly: Glass jars of foie gras in various forms; also available in cans if you are worried about breakage. Goose foie gras is not generally available in the US; we do have duck foie gras products..if you are interested in this I will check a few prices. But better to buy in SW France where prices are far lower than in Paris.

I could go on and on about food items;let me know if you want more.

Foodstuff from Hediard or Fauchon near the Madeleine Church.

Foodstuff from the Food Halls at Galleries Lafayette.

Mustard from Maille also near the Madeleine Church.

Household items from Monoprix.

You may also want to purchase a scarab or cigale from Deyrolle on Rue du Bac.

Thin

Absolutely visit Deyrolle if they have reopened. In addition to the items mentioned above, they sell wonderful posters of France and with French themes that are MUCH less costly there than in the US.

I bought this one for my kitchen a few years ago:


http://www.deyrolle.com/boutique/fic...es-fruits.html

Kitchen gadgets from any of the five La Vaissellerie shops.

Paper goods from any papeterie or the papergoods section of a department store.

Scarves from the vendors near Notre Dame and the Place Beaubourg.

Lots of good things in the museum stores also.

Deyrolle is open. I was there in Novemember and I couldn't even tell that there was a fire.

The bunnies were in the window. :)

Thin

Monoprix sells very nice cologne splash in orange and other natural scents.

Oh, that is wonderful news about Deyrolle. Thanks for letting me know..

Forgot to mention one of my favorite food purchases in Paris:

Nut oils from Huilerie LeBlanc on Rue Jacob; I've tried many of these over the years and my current favorite is the Argan oil.


Pistachio, hazlenut, walnut--all great!! Much cheaper in Paris. Will pack for travel. Lovely, lovely people.


http://www.huile-leblanc.com/boutique.php?lang=gb

Specialty oils, such as virgin walnut oil, L'huile de noix, is much cheaper, as is the spicy red pepper powder from Espelette in the French Basque Country, called, piment d'Espelette, which compliments a whole host of dishes.
We've found both in Parisian shops at a much better price than in the US.
For example, a small 25 gram jar of piment d'Espelette A.O.C. powder costs $15 at Zingerman's.

eks,
Our posts just crossed! I see we think alike!

I have a question - are these products unavailable in the US, or just more expensive? If it's the latter, will you really be buying enough of it to make a difference?

They're available, just more expensive. Everything is available for me in the Puget Sound area, as I'm sure it is in the Bay Area.

We used specialty oils and the piment d'Espelette in our cooking almost daily, and bring the pepper back in volume (in cryovac bags) for chef friends.

I can absolutely understand it if it's unavailable here, or you buy in volume, or travel there frequently and so purchase often. I can't understand it to save $10 when I can buy it at my local gourmet grocery.

Hi W,

Saffron.

Wine from small producers.
MUST GO IN CHECKED LUGGAGE.

((I))

Not in Paris, but in the countryside, the fun for us is the venturing directly to the farm, the mill or the factory to make our purchases or to attend the weekly outdoor market, where all the farmers come to us and we can sample their products. We make this part of our "sightseeing" when staying out in the southwest France countryside.

Maribel, I find that fun, too -- I love food markets. I just don't necessarily actually buy anything (except usually something to eat while I'm there).

wondering,
Ditto to ira's "wine from small producers", particularly those of the Southwest.
We sample (Sat. from 11-1:30 and 4-7:30) and buy these at La Derniere Goutte on 6, Rue Bourbon Le Château in the 6th.