Paris Purse shopping
 

I'm looking for a place to buy a nice leather, crossbody bag; particularly a hand/crossbody combo. I'm not looking for a name brand that I can get in the States like Coach, Longchamp, Chloe...but more of something that a local Parisian woman would carry. I'll be staying near the Pompidou and have already been to Champs-Elysees, Gallerie Lafayette and Printemps. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Do you have a price range so people can suggest stores?

200-300 euro

...I hit submit too soon. 200-300 euro maximum, but less expensive if anyone can suggest a store or brand. Thanks!

You might try Bon Marche although they're pretty pricey.

http://www.lebonmarche.com/catalogue...ires/sacs.html

There are lots of small stores in the St-Germain area which would be on the way to Bon Marche.

Did you check Marks and Spencer on the Champs Elysees?

I don't normally shop in Paris but I'm sure other posters will chime in with recommendations.

I was going to urge you to give Longchamps a look but their prices have headed well over 300€, sadly. However, do remember you should get about 12% VAT back. They have several stores as well as concessions in the large department stores.

I was trying to remember a store in the 6th, I first thought it was Deyrolle but that's a famous taxidermist so don't go there, unless they do a sideline in handbags.

What I was trying to remember is Heyraud which is shoe/handbag boutique with a shop at 23 rue du four, just as it meets blvd St Germain in the 6th. Other locations: www.heyraud.fr The rue du four, rue bonaparte, that whole warren of streets has lots of boutiques, most high range but not all. Fun area to window shop ( lêche les vitrines, literally window licking).

Ask for the VAT refund form when you do make a purchase.

<< Deyrolle but that's a famous taxidermist so don't go there, unless they do a sideline in handbags >>

Thanks for my afternoon laugh! :)

I'd try to get the best label at a second hand, consignment shop. That may be what real "parisiennes" do.

I just bought a fabulous crossbody leather bag for about 225 Euros (before VAT refund) at La Bagagerie in St. Germain (they also have other shops all over the city). My bag is in the window.

http://www.labagagerie.com/stores.php

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I'll definitely be going to St. Germain tomorrow :)

Enjoy! I also saw some great purses in that price range on the Rue du Bac near Boulevard Raspail, including in a cool home decor shop. I intended to go back, but ran out of time.

Everything is more expensive in France than in the US - and that budget isn't very much for a decent purse.

(I just got a Cole Haan at one of the online discounters - and it was $398 reduced to $209 with free shipping. They have Coach and similar - but in France it would be the $398 - no discount - and other moderate makers like Coach wold be the same.

Bluefly has other options - but they re more true designers - and want to sell you a $1500 purse of $800 (not my price range).

If you see something you love, go for it - but that budget will limit you a lot in Paris.

I was going to suggest Jerome Dreyfuss on the Rue Jacob but I don't' think you can get a bag there for 300 e.

Thin

Out of your price range, but you can dream, and almost exclusive to France:

Delvaux

Goyard

Thin, who stops a Deyrolle

I buy handbags when I'm in Paris on vacation as that's what I shop for for myself. As for Jerome Dreyfuss, 300 euros won't cut it. I go into that boutique, on rue Jacob, quite often as it's about a 30-second walk from the apartment that I rent. One can do better on the U.S. website, during the sales. I got my gorgeous Billy M, in luscious goatskin suede, for about $500. on sale.

As for handbag boutiques in a lower, not low, price range as what's "low" in Paris?

1) http://www.sequoiaparis.com/

I've been buying their bags since the company's beginnings in the 1980s. The boutique is on rue St. Suplice, near the church of St. Suplice and in the 6th which has been my regular district since the early 80s. I've seen a lot of handbags in that district as it's handbag and shoe heaven.

2) http://www.karinedupont.com/

I've also bought Karine's bags since its beginnings. The boutique is located, in the 6th, on the rue Cherche Midi (low numbers) and on the same side of the street as the delicious Poilâne bakery. It's just s few steps down the street from the bakery.

3) http://www.groomparis.com/

Groom is also on the rue Cherche Midi and directly across the street from Poilâne bakery. It's been there forever. I think I was going there in the 1970s.

4) http://www.lancaster-paris.com/shop-...w-arrival.html

There's also Lancaster, but off the top of my head, I can't remember where I saw a boutique.

5) There's Cliff shoes and handbags in the 6th on the corner of the rue de Buci and rue Mazarine. It's been there forever. I think it's been there since the early 70s.

http://www.chaussures-clif.com/edito.php?&mid=3&msid=17

So, those suggestions should keep you busy. And of course there are a lot more handbag boutiques, but those are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head and ones that might be in your price range as I have a pretty broad handbag budget.

Have fun handbag shopping.

Happy Travels!

I forgot to add:

http://www.lamaroquinerieparisienne.com/

Happy Travels!

Guenmai,

Knew you would have great suggestions!

Bookmarking

I was about to add La Maroquinerie but Guenmai got there ahead of me! It's a great shop that sells "last year's" designer items and it's always full of sharp-elbowed, elegant Parisienne ladies of "a certain age" hunting down bargains. The location is close to the Opera and the Grandes Maisons so it won't be that far out of your way. Do try it!

Cathinjoetown on Apr 5, 13 at 12:55am
"
Guenmai, Knew you would have great suggestions!"

Thanks.

Happy Travels!