Taking note of another recenn thread here, and responses that note "great views" from Galeries Lafayette (ok- sp!)...I'd sure love a succinct rundown of which store to visit for what...prices/particular specialty/view/etc..\ <BR> <BR>Last trip, I tripped out on Samaritaine's "home" dept (and my spouse was ever so thrilled to try to find screws to match the elegant furniture knobs and doorknob plates I'd found). But by the time I finished in the sub=basement, I never got upstairs for the much touted "best view of Paris." <BR> <BR>So...please, a quick review of your favorite shopping finds..and why... <BR> <BR>(And I do like the pulls on our TV cabinet that are unlike anything I've seen in the US!)

I like BHV, which is directly across the street from Hotel d'Ville. Their prices are lower than other department stores....If you hit it at just the right time, they have a lot of stuff on sale! They also have a lot of practical stuff for everyday living.

I love the "Au Bon Marché" (6th arr., Metro Sèvres-Babylone), actually the oldest dept Store in Paris. There are far less tourists than on the right bank Dept Stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. A lot of Parisians go there too. It is very charming to me. Don't miss the food halls (The Grande Epicerie de Paris). You'll find what ever you're looking for.

Bon Marche - same as just mentioned. I go to Paris 2 or 3 times a year and buy all of my hosiery, scarves, jewelry, and other accessories there. You can find all kinds of reasonably priced things that you'll never see in the US - especially socks in every color of the rainbow. (a particular Jones of mine)

Galeries Lafayette: Food department - you can get the same stuff in neighborhood stores for less, but this is all in one place; home fashions, housewares, crystal; cool crafts stuff <BR>Au Printemps: clothing (a little more reasonably priced than Galeries, but not by much); home fashions; needlework supplies <BR>BHV: enamel coathooks; blue and white metal/enamel house numbers; door and drawer pulls; brass doo-dads to decorate doors, walls and furniture. <BR>Samaritaine: stuff in a normal price range (tshirts, underwear, housewares, linens) plus a great rooftop cafeteria <BR>Bon Marche: waaaay cool girl stuff (handbags, scarves, perfume) and grownups' clothes <BR>Monoprix: great food department; inexpensive cosmetics; affordable housewares; inexpensive underwear <BR>Tati: reaaally cheap stuff (pantihose for a buck, underpants for $.75) <BR>Trois Quartiers: lots of boutiques: kitchen, bath, kitsch, children's stuff, etc. <BR>

Monoprix - bought the same beaded bracelets for $3 that are selling here at Nordstrom for $45! (well, they look the same when I'm wearing them anyway Crystal/China/Porcelain - go to rue deParadis - great prices.

For those of you interested in shopping in a "consignment" store (second-hand designer cloths at about 25% of the original price) check out RECIPROQUE (approximate spelling) in the 16th Arr. <BR>Chanel, Versace, Armani ...... an extrordinary shop. <BR> <BR>Also, I buy all my shirts in Paris. Check out the "Big Ben" shirt shop in the Marais (Rue Francs Bourgeous or something) and a little shop on the ground floor of the shopping centre in Montparnasse (something Nature??? - only sells shirts). <BR> <BR>Sorry for the imprecise directions but all are worth checking out.

This is great; I'm cooking up the printer to record all the recomends. Any other recommendations for favorite thrift stores, or other out-of-the-way stuff?

Flea Market at Pont de Vans! Wonderful if you like antiques and unique items. I only wished that it hadn't rained since everybody seemed to go home early that day, but I really liked it there a lot. Can get there via metro (like everywhere else). I didn't like the other large flea market - Pont de Clinquourt (sorry if I've misspelled - please don't flame!). Thought it was a bunch of junky clothes.

Excellent, ldsant! I just printed out a list of flea market locations earlier today...now, the one you mentioned has a bold-face note by it: "good recommendation from Fodorite." What better guidance can there be!

The re-sale shops can sometimes offer fabulous finds, but are always hit or miss. The biggest and, probably, the best is the already mentioned Reciproque in the 16th. Because wandering around that area is no fun for me, I treat it like a visit to the dentist - I go, check it out and leave fast. But there are other shops in areas worth wandering. One of them is in the 6th near St. Sulpice on rue Guisarde. I think it has "Chat" in it's name. It smelled catty and was so tiny you'd have to step out to change your mind. The owner is rather abrupt, but she often has lots of Hermes and Chanel accessories. Another place is in the 7th on rue Amelie near St. Dominiqe. She has a good selection of Hermes scarves. Ana Lowe is near the Elysee Palace on Faubourg-St.Honore and has a nice selection of everything and it's not such an ordeal to go through, like Reciproque. A word of warning - I bought a beautiful designer jacket that is unwearable because the underarm area exudes an eau de B.O. that is incredible. I didn't notice it when I tried it on, it was only when I wore it and it made contact with body heat that the fun began. I'm thinking of wearing it on my next Air France flight - I'm sure to get lots of space to myself.

re. ldsant's post: That's the Porte de Vanves and the Porte de Clignancourt. <BR> <BR>(STAGE WHISPER: "Do I get to be in the 'You-Know-What Club' now?!?") <BR> <BR>Have a great time arjay! <BR> <BR> - Quicksilver -

Galleries Lafayette - Best Food Halls. The counter style restaurants in the food halls are yummy and affordable! <BR> <BR>Au Printemps - Best affordable clothing. <BR> <BR>Au Bon Marche - Best of everything, especially the food halls, Grande Epicerie de Paris!