I'm going to Paris in July and want to know what I should expect regarding shoping. Is it totally expensive?

If you buy French items, they are cheaper than the same in the US. Otherwise the prices I have found to be comparable. What type of items are you shopping for? For "hip" affordable clothes & shoes my favorite places are Etam and Zara--European chains that are not in the US.

Again, your post is too vague just as your Vienna-Budapest one is too vague. I just spent almost $1000 on shoes alone in Rome so tell us what kinds of things you are interested in.

Sorry for being so vague! I am looking to purchase a couple of nice handbags and some clothing. I am into very hip and trendy clothing--but something out of the ordinary. I certainly don't want to buy something that looks like I went to my local shopping mall here in the states to buy. I will try Etam and the other place recommended. I want to splurge, but at the same time, I have to be a bit reasonable!

Last year I bought a Longchamp handbag at Galleries Lafayette and then found it back home for twice what I paid.....of course that was at last year's exchange rate, not sure what great bargains exist now!

The department stores (Galleries Layfayette, Samaritaine etc.) might not be a bad spot for trendier boutiques try the area around GL or St Germaine.

I came home with a bag from Herve. Have not compared with price here yet. I did comparison shop for a bag from Louis Vuitton. It was almost $900 here, and there it was 610E. Unfortunately the exchange rate was horrible when I was there, but even at that, the price would have been about $720. So, if you're into expensive name brand items, it will be cheaper there. I should add, I was there comparison shopping for a friend!

Lois, do you mean Hermés? Keep in mind also. when you shop at these chic stores, you will be buying a style you won't find here in the states because alot of the shops are franchises and the buyers buy what will sell only in their area, or they are just nooks not selling all lines. I was once a Sonia Rykiel big fan til she went logo name crazy, but in Boston or New York, never saw the same as I did in Europe.

La Samaritane has good sales on handbags. BHV has very nice handbags that aren't too expensive-good brands also! Galeries Lafayette I haven't seen good sales too often. But they're cheaper than in the US.

Mimi, there is Hermes and there is Herve Legere .

Scarlett, I know, but Herge is noted for his clothes not his bags, like Hermés is, and that's why I asked.

I like the Marais. There's a shop called Nina Jacob, which is about a block off of Place des Vosges, that carries what I'd describe as "clearance" stuff from multiple makers. It's different from what you see in the stores in the US and discounted so you don't do badly at all. It was colder than we'd packed for May 19-22 (we'd been in the South of France for 10 days) and I picked up a zippy little black jacket/raincoat. Last year I picked up three nifty shirts for my daughter at 10euro each (or maybe I got 3 for 25). Anyway, she lives in NYC and was tickled to death as they were really different. (She's now 25 and tragically hip.) We found her a present this year at Ammoniaque (again in the Marais) at 6, rue de Sevigne. I think the big dept stores are just too big and confusing for me (although I shop the dept stores here all the time). I like the little shops in the 4th. There's always something different. This year things seemed more expensive because the dollar is not equal to the euro. But if you are a "real" shopper, you can do pretty well.

Longchamps has a store on rue du Vieux Colombier in the 6th with a larger selection of bags than GL has. Herve Chapelier (the brightly colored 2 tone nylon canvas bags) is also on the same street. I love his bags for casual dress. Have fun!

AH, my wise grandma, that is who Lois is referring to, now I remember him, the new guy on the block!! I read about his bags in the NY Times. MWHA!

Grandmere, you are absolutely correct. I couldn't remember for sure what the last name was. I'm not a typical 'name brand' shopper, but my daughter brought me in there to pick out a birthday present! Anyhow, I was really happy with my new gift!

The good thing is that you will be there in July and will hit the big semi-annual sales (at least in the beginning of the month). I'd suggest going to Bon Marche, they have some nice stuff.

Zara is a Spanish chain and has been in the US for years, maybe even longer than in France. There are quite a few in NY city and Miami. I don't think Etam is in the US (although all over Europe) but their stuff isn't what I think you are looking for--it's good for teens or young 20s, lower price point.

There are places to shop for more unusual or stylish things -- rue Alesia or rue St Placide going east from Bon Marche are full of clothing boutiques and discount designer or outlet shops. I've gotten some reasonably priced things at Bon Marche during July sales and they have a good accessories department and nice bags.

Sorry Mimi and I even got the name wrong!

The Herve Chapelier store has SO many color combinations and sizes and shapes that is almost overwhelming, in a fun kind of way (how bad can it be to make decisions like that ! Last May my daughter and I spent over 2 hrs. there, and then the next day we went back to get one more thing, this time with my son-in-law. The "one more thing" took another 2 hrs., with more purchases! SIL is a very patient man!

The teensy bags make great make up bags for carrying in purse, and last yr. they were less than $20, with detaxe, and of course, stronger dollar. I bought 3 for friends with whom I exchange little Xmas gifts.

Check out the colors and styles at www.herve-chapelier.com

Thanks for the site, grandmere. His backpack looks alot like my Longchamps.
lynzy, another thing to buy that is less expensive there are the petit bateau t shirts. Nice fit.

Mimi, I think some of the HC and Long. bags are very similar. The petit bateau tees that you mention--is that the same brand name as the children's clothing that we see in upscale shops here in US? Did you get them in their own shops or at the dept. stores?

Lynzy, another shop that has trendy clothes in Paris is Samantha. Not sure if it is a chain or one shop.

Biche de Bere (carried in dept. stores and also her own shops) has a nice line of interesting costume jewelry. Think it's sold in NYC, also, but not here in the 'Burgh.