Shopping in Paris
 

Where to shop in Paris? Where will I experience the ultimate shopping experience in Paris? I love extreme shopping experiences...no preference. Consignment, Used to L. Vuitton. I woudld like to purchase a new Louis Vuitton handbag. Should I purchase in US or Paris?

Price will be the same. Selection will be better/different in Paris.

Also, you can get the VAT back when you leave the country...usually about 12 to 13 percent. You do save US sales tax as well which in some cities can be quite high.

Gretchen has it right except for one point. From June 24 to July 23 (also in January) the merchandise in virtually every store in Paris is on "soldes" - boutiques to Galleries Lafayette - 30 to 50 percent off. Paris is the best shopping city I have ever seen. Shoe/handbag stores seem to be on every block. You have to do the math; i.e. 50 percent off minus 20 percent dollar hit plus 13 percent VAT back (if you spend more than 175 euro), still equals 43 percent off!

FYI, French VAT is 17.5 %

I was talking about Louis Vuitton only. Never on sale.

FYI, the VAT is 17.5% but none of the department stores such as Bon Marche or Galeries Lafayette or smaller stores such as Mephisto or Longchamps give more than 13% back. I am sure Louis Vuitton has the same policy.

Price on LV is NOT the same in Paris as in the US. I've been buying it since the early 80s in Paris. First the price will be a bit lower and in the US...where I live... I have to ADD on 8.75% sales tax whereas in Paris I get the detaxe of about 12% subtracted. To be EXACT on the prices...on a recent purchase I saved exactly $229.21 over the U.S. price. Now that is NOT the same price! Happy Travels!

Do a search for,"Shopping in Paris" which was around July 11th. I wrote a lot on this topic then. Happy Travels!

My favourite shopping street in Paris is rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which is the barrier between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Lots of fantastic little boutiques with shoes, clothes, scarves, interesting jewelery, gift ideas, and if you take a one block detour, the best falafel in the world. It makes for a nice shopping afternoon.

Thank you all for your "shopping" comments. I'll make sure I pack my extra comfortable shoes and shop till I drop. Any good outlets I should get to?

Louis Vuitton Paris...here I come!