Shopping
 

In Paris, do they have any of the discount shopping malls that we have in the US? If so, where are they located and which would you recommend? Also we will be there over New Year's Eve. Any suggestions for two middle aged women as to where to celebrate that's not too expensive?
Thanks

The sales start on 7 January, but you might find some sales going on prior to the end of the year. There are some Designer Outlet Malls (http://www.parisperfect.com/paris-sh...tlet-malls.php) where you can shop on a budget. There's also La Vallée Village (www.lavalleevillage.com).

Very few restaurants will be open on New Years Eve, and those that are will be offering a special New Years Eve celebration (usually on the expensive side). Where ever you decide to go, you'll need to make your reservations well in advance. Most restaurants will be closed on New Years Day.

yeah, they have one outside the city near Disneyland. There aren't any like that in Paris proper (but we dont' have anything like that in the city where I live, either, I assume you mean those outlet malls). There are some "discount' or outlet shops or whatever on rue d'Alesia in the 14th, and some other areas, but no entire malls that I know of in Paris itself.

This is the outlet mall near DIsneyland, I believe you can get there by RER easily enough http://www.lavalleevillage.com/

They also have their own bus that leaves from around Pyramides metro (the Cityrama office). It costs 22 euro roundtrip, but would be convenient.

NY Eve is very expensive and very booked up far in advance in the regular restaurants. So what is your idea of not too expensive (I mean 100 euro per head is not unusual at all). That is because places make a lot of money on NY eve and that would include a meal and maybe some special entertainment. If I wanted to go out to a restaurant, I might book one of the Flo groupe bistros as they can be nice enough (eg, Bofinger).

Here is an article on some ideas from a couple years ago, but they look good and probably all will still be doing that. http://parisbymouth.com/paris-restau...-the-new-year/

The special meal with wine tasting at O Chateau looks fairly interesting to me.

O Chateau has gotten some positive comments on this forum, so that might be a really good option for you.

Not sure what the cost would be, but Le Train Bleu might be an option for NYE. We went on Christmas Eve a few years back....it is a beautiful restaurant and our food was good. Sure, a bit touristy but we enjoyed our evening there. It is located at Gare de Lyon. They usually have a few different set menus...probably one that will be pricier on NYE. You can reserve online. http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/rest...train-bleu.php

Can't help with outlet mall suggestions/info...not my thing.

Just be sure to reserve as far in advance as you can, like tomorrow.

I would eat a nice dinner at a brasserie like the two suggested above, then go looking for the celebrations in the street.

There are a number of outlet malls around Paris. If you are a fan of these places, you may want to look into the following:

Marques Avenue (Ile Saint Denis): http://www.marquesavenue.com/L-Ile-Saint-Denis
Usines Center (Villepinte-Paris Nord II): http://www.usinescenter.fr/presentation
La Vallée Village (next to Disneyland): http://www.lavalleevillage.com/fr/home/home

Another vote for Le Train Bleu for NYE.

http://www.lavalleevillage.com/

I took my mom there as she wanted to shop. I wasn't impressed as I can do much better price wise here at home. I personally wouldn't go all the way back out there to shop, but it was fun for my mom and nice to get out of Paris proper for half a day.

There are some discount boutiques in the 14th that I used to go to check out years ago, but wasn't that impressed with them. I don't go to Paris expecting to find really discounted items although I do shop there quite a bit and take advantage of the detaxe.

Happy Travels!