I've read all the boards. What is so special about perfumes bought in Paris/France vs the US? And what fragrances are not available in the US so I can bring back something special for my wife and daughter. I have a very short business trip to Paris coming up. <BR> <BR>Any help appreciated!

My wife says that the perfumes made in Paris are made with a different oil base than in the States. The fragrances last longer than stateside perfumes. I don't remember the oil base but I do buy alot of perfume in Paris.

French designer scents usually debut in France before the U.S., but we're talking a couple of months only. I bought a new Chanel scent in Paris in October, and it was available in the U.S. for Christmas. As perfume is pretty personal, trying to buy a new scent for someone is very difficult. If your daughter is young (12 or under), there are many fragrances available for girls - the department stores like Galeries Lafayette or au Printemps will have a good selection. For your wife, you're better off buying a scent she already wears - if she wears a Chanel fragrance, buy it at the Chanel boutique. Ditto Nina Ricci, YSL, etc. The packaging is gorgeous. I don't usually wear perfume (I prefer eau de toilette or eau de parfum), so I don't know if there's a difference between the French version and the U.S. version. I've never experienced any difference in the versions of eau de toilette or eau de parfum.

I have found differences in the lasting-power and subtle differences in the scents that are made by Chanel and Patou, at least in the eau de parfums that I use. <BR>Check out and sample perfumes in the departments stores or designer boutiques if you like,especially if you want <BR>fancier shopping bags, but if you want discounts: <BR>At #16 rue de la Paix, second floor, is Michel Swiss, a reliable place to shop for discounted perfume and gifts but they are busy, so it's best to go in knowing exactly what you want. An even better place to buy perfume in my opinion is Catherine, 6, rue Castiglione, in the first arrondissement, near the Intercontinental hotel. Excellent discounts on perfumes and some cosmetics: The owner knows her business and knows how to persuade eager customers to buy just a little bit more, but she is entirely charming and friendly, and generous with little perfume samples which are nice for stocking-stuffers. In addition to the store discounts, she is adept at helping you with the VAT refund process which you are eligible for in any store where you spend at least 1200 FF. <BR>There is at least one parfumier, I can't recall if it's Guerlain or Hermes, that does not distribute its fragrances to the discount shops at all.

Thanks for the advice. Elaine, I just asked my wife and she thinks that Guerlain, of Shalimar fame, is the perfume that you have to buy at their own shops. And, my daughter is 15 - what an age!!!! I guess I was mistaken, I kept reading about scents that were unavailable in the US. I guess it's only for a short time. Thanks for your advice Elvira and Elaine.

You weren't wrong, sometimes forms of perfumes are distributed differently. <BR>A friend of mine uses a perfume that is no longer being distributed in the US, but it is still available in Europe so she always asks traveling friends to get her some. <BR>Another friend uses a Van Cleef and Arpel fragrance that is available in only one store here in New York, but the discounters carry it in Paris. Go figure. <BR>Elvira is right in that the new fragrances may be introduced first in Paris but eventually they seem to make their way to the US in time for xmas or valentine's day or mother's day.

Well, if French perfume isn't so special, then what do you recommend in the way of really womanly stuff to bring back from Paris? <BR> <BR>Help!

Why silk underwear, of course!

Elaine and others: <BR> <BR>How do the duty-free shop prices in French airports compare with the prices of fragrances at, say, Michael Swiss or Catherine? <BR> <BR>Jeanne

I suppose it depends but I have found Michel Swiss and Catherine and the like to have almost always the lowest prices. <BR>I sometimes make a last-minute perfume purchase in an airport duty-free shop while I'm killing time or using up the last of my francs (just as they're hoping I will) and have found that their perfume prices are higher than the discount shops, and the selection much <BR>much smaller. Plus, as I mentioned, <BR>if you're buying a lot of products <BR>for friends and family and reach the magic 1200F mark in the discount store, you'll qualify for the VAT refund.

Elaine pointed out something very important: if you are going to shop for things that can all be bought at one store, then you can get the VAT back, which is a big savings (somewhere around 17% in France, I think). You can have it credited to your charge card or your checking account (much faster than having a check mailed to you). <BR>Girly things: hair doo-dads, decorated socks, jewelry, fancy perfume bottles, scarves, journals, address books, pens (calligraphy, fountain, dip, ballpoint), masks, music boxes, jewelry boxes. If the girls are crafty: beads, ribbons, buttons, feathers, crochet thread (this is not a joke; French crochet thread is exquisite), rubber stamps, fancy paper (stationery or craft), miniature furniture and accessories.

For something different, try Fragonard, which has a shop near the Opera house. <BR> <BR>Ross.

Now it's my turn to reiterate on something elvira mentioned, and that's needlework kits and threads-- <BR>department stores like La Samaritaine and Bon Marche <BR>have surprisingly large departments <BR>for that sort of thing.

Perfume reacts differently...body chemistry is definitely involved. I always wear Joy, and have for years. Some of my friends have tried it, and it doesn't work for them. Same with Shalimar...just a very personal thing!

Hi, <BR> <BR>One scent which I absolutely LOVE is Eau Arpege, by Lanvin. For some reason I have had trouble finding it in the US - maybe cuz it is so old? <BR> <BR>My Grampa used to buy it for my Mom when he would go to Paris (this was from when she was growing up - I heard the story so I went on a quest to find it). <BR> <BR>It's a beautiful scent. Try it! <BR> <BR>Beth

Arpege by Lanvin-happened on this thread. Many years ago, and for many years, I wore it. It became &quot;dated&quot; so I switched to a new and lighter fragance. Last Spring after a trip to Paris I decided to try it again. I could not locate it where I live. In France this month I found and bought it. It is not common in the parfumeries. Had no idea if the price was right but purchased anyway. Have worn it since and it is wonderful. Worth the search. My husband recognized immediately that I was wearing Arpege !