Thanks for the tip Scarlett...I'm really looking forward to Mariage Freres. Any tips on places to try some great cheeses?

There's an amazing cheese store right off the rue Cler, just opposite the Hôtel du Champ-du-Mars. I don't remember the name, but I always walk by there and pick something delectable up. I think there's also a great cheese store ON rue Cler.

Is the shop that sells the rose potpourri Rosemarie Schulz at 30 rue Boissy d'Anglas?

I have that shop on my list of places to go. Here are what my notes say about it (from here on Fodors):

<<It sells fabrics, scented pillows, placemats and things made of flower petals. It is intoxicating and the most entrancing, creative shop I have ever seen.>>

Here's the website:
http://www.rosemarie-schulz.de/html/contact.html

Rosemarie Schulz
on 30 rue Boissy d'Anglas ( Galerie de la Madeleine)!!
I just found the postcard/business card that I kept..amazing
The Yankee shakes his head that I keep little scraps of paper then just watches mystified when I find one and get all excited and run to the computer!
Yes, marcy!! go there, you and dln will love it!

Fauchon? Are they still around? What a horrible place. What a stupid idea that you have have to get a token/ticket/whatever it is to pay for your groceries at the cashier stand, then go pick them up at another counter. Not very convenient after you've had a pint of gin with your lunch. Put me right off, darling.

ThinG, you should have had a cup of their Earl Grey tea. It would have put you to rights straight away (and made you forgive them for their peculiar selling goods!).

I stopped in at Fauchon in Paris last spring and was not the least impressed (unlike on previous visits, if I do say so- something has changed). Snotty or aloof salespeople, overpriced goods, a generally STIFF attitude pervasive, and the goods just weren't that impressive. If you travel around rural France you can find a lot better bargains. We did buy some vinegar at Fauchon at last visit, but it was unimpressive and overpriced. Fauchon is no longer on my list of places to visit in Paris. Local markets yield far better bargains.

That's funny, I was at Fauchon in November and I thought it was fabulous!

We bought so much stuff to bring home: tea, candy, jars of preserves, spices.

When I go back I have to get some more of their fig & walnut preserves! When we had guests over at Christmas I served little toasts with a tiny slice of foie gras, topped with a little of the fig-walnut preserves, and it was so good!

Will you all STOP! #-o
I am trying to eat sensible since my daughters birthday, Thanksgiving, days in SF, Christmas Eve and Day and so on.

And not one of you fantastic posters are helping. Here is it ll:00pm and you are making me starving with all this talk of wonderful food.

Your consideration would be appreciated.

Hugs to all!

Such a nice little group we have gathered here...I am learning so much!
Will have to check out the rose petal boutique for gifts...
The FAUCHON in NYC does not sound as irritating as the one in Paris. Instead, I will check out the Monoprix and others for food items.
Bon appetit!

The LeNotre chains of charcuteries are also nice. There is one on the rue Cler. The little independent places are best, but this is a nice chain.

Thanks, Vendeuse! I definitely plan to go on a Cheese Escapade when I am on Rue Cler.

Also, we have O & Co in NYC now, so I guess there's no need to spend extra time in Paris looking for them.

Cheers to all!

Hi bettyo,

You can bring back foie gras or pate' de foi gras in cans but not in jars.

You can't bring back meat. (fowl is not considered meat)

I brought back 18 macarons from Pierre Hermes. It extended my visit to Paris for another 18 days.

My Lady Wife brought back a box of chocolates. It extended her visit for two days.

I would love to know what makes the tea at Marriage Freres so "different." A Parisian acquaintance of mine told me it was not to be missed.

Moldy,
they have over 500 sorts of teas, teas with spices and fruit, candied fruits, orange and vanilla tea.
It is , I think, the oldest tea/tea emporium in France or at least Paris.
And they have lovely tea cups and tea pots and candles and biscuits flavored with tea.
Even if you are not a tea drinker, there is something you might find appealing

Hi moldy,

Just as with wine, there are teas and there are Teas.

See this link: http://smurman.best.vwh.net/tea/mariage.shtml

Scarlett and Ira,

Oddly enough, I'm enjoying a cup of hot tea (Cinnamon Plum from Republic of Tea) as I post this but wonder if I am a TEA drinker. It does sound like a nice place to take a break.

Do you recommend going for a meal or just a dessert and tea? I looked at their menu and it all looks divine.

Sorry, moldy, can't help. Tea is not my cuppa.

Had macaroons for the first time in Switzerland in March. LOVED it!

Came back to NYC and looked everywhere for it. Found out that they sell them at Fauchon on 51st & Park. Went there to get some and they tasted awful. The macaroons I had in Basel (Confiserie Spruengli) were pillowy soft and creamy. The macaroons I got at Fauchon (NYC) were too sugary and I could feel the sugar granules. Maybe it's underbaked.

If you like sweets, just go for dessert, I like to buy things to bring home, teas, candles, a little milk pitcher .. they have very nice lunches.
It is worth just browsing even if you don't buy anything at all, and in such a great neighborhood ( Left Bank) that you will not be going out of your way to visit.
I am having a Lillet spritzer right now