To Zeppole:

It has nothing to do with this thread but you posted sites with photos of Apricale, Triora and Bussana Vecchia. I have been searching for that posting in vain. With any luck you will see this and send them again.
I'm planning on a trip to Italy and read all of your posts with great interest!
If you would be good enough to just put those on this thread, I would looooove that.
My apologies to you Fodorites if I am way out of line but going nuts trying to find these.

Jane, confusing on my part (and maybe to some of the other posters, too) is your mention of "Galleries Lafayette and other good shopping." To me(and just my opinion) Galleries Layfayette does not equate with "good shopping" in Paris. To me, GL was very little different from department stores in any U.S. city--and a whole lot more expensive. I like to shop, too, but found many more interesting shops in Saint Germain and in the Marais. We also had fun at the Port de Vanves flea market, but bought very little. Must have hit it on an off day. Maybe if you can be more specfic on what you're looking for/hoping to buy, then people can offer more useful suggestions.

I agree with Maryann... when I shop in Paris, it isn't GL... it is the little shops that we stumble across on the way to somewhere else.

- Its Fauchon or Hediard (is one of those closed now ?)
- its a little antique store where I fell in love with concrete painted chickens (don't ask, its a long story and involved copious amounts of alcohol).
- its cute kids clothes (albeit at a chain like Monoprix, DPAM, etc.)
- its the randomness of the things in Pylones
- its the bookends on the way UP to the top of Notre Dame.

I find a few beers always gets Mr. S in the spending mood :)

Something fun that we enjoyed was Fat Tire Bike Tours - maybe he would enjoy that solo ?

I didn't go back through and read all the "ins and outs" of this post. I love to shop when I'm in Paris and what I do is, do my museums and other sight seeing in the morning and do my shopping in the afternoon.

I don't think anyone needs to justify how they spend their time..each to their own. I also like to shop when on vacation because I hardly every shop at home, at least not any of the fun kind of shopping. I'm in and out, get what I need, so on vacation I have the time, and I find it quite enjoyable.

Now, moving on, JaneRebecca, I stayed at the Hotel Ambassador at 16 Blvd. Haussmann a few years ago. I liked the location. It was close to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, but...there really is not much special about them anymore.

Going the other direction toward Blvd. Monmartre, there are several Passages...Joffrey, Panaramas..and there's another. Some great little shops with unique things.

I like finding the smaller shops. Last time I was in Paris there was a little shop that sold nothing but scarves, and they were gorgous. Not cheap, but that's the kind of thing I like to get. Something special, something I will use or wear, and I can enjoy, and will remind me of Paris. Honestly, there is nothing like that at the Grand Magazines, unless you hit the food court...then there's all kinds of great stuff.

I can't believe your husband can't find anything to do so you can have a day to yourself to shop, if that's what you enjoy.

Christinas post was rather astute,, for those who notice those sorts of things, ( I do).

>>Jane, nobody trolled you in this thread. Trolling involves posting something untrue or unreasonable or outrageous simply to provoke reaction. You were the one who provoked reaction.<<

Jane, I suggested you consult with your husband about your reasons for wanting a hotel close to shopping.

And I suggested you work out a compromise with him about giving you as much time as you like to shop.

You've really pounced on the idea of trolling. Dodging the issues?

>>It seems to me like it would be very simple to set aside one day as the "shopping day" and just tell the husband that the next rendezvous will be for dinner<<


>>I can't believe your husband can't find anything to do so you can have a day to yourself to shop, if that's what you enjoy.<<

Let's take a vote on whether he should be sent on the Fat Bike Tour, sent off to make new English-speaking friends hanging out in a cafe near the Max Mara store or wait patiently at the hotel.

I think the Fat Bike Tour is best because he has a leather coat.

You really can't have "romantic" on a one way street. You need to take your own romanace to Paris. It's only a city, after all.

If you want romantic, do what he wants this time. You did what you wanted last time.

I often worry about people who have to go out of their way to be romantic. Dh and I went to Paris in the dead of winter, stayed in Montparnasse, and I have never been so cold that I thought my nose was going to fall off. Plus, we booked the trip with other people, one ended up going home early the other oh well... not worth going into.

We still love that trip together.

Hi JaneRebecca, like you I'm not a great shopper, so this what we find works well for us. If HB comes with me, I can't settle and never end up buying anything. However, shopping is lovely in the 6th, try Rue du Cherche Midi, which is near Le Bon Marche and the surrounding streets -gorgeous!! You made a reference to your HB enjoying military museums. Do you think he would enjoy the war museum at Les Invalides for a few hours while you shop? Transport in Paris is so good that you can easily arrange a point to meet up after an hour or so. IMHO Departments stores are the same all over the world. Although Gallery Lafayette is a gorgeous building in itself. Enjoy!

''Christinas post was rather astute,, for those who notice those sorts of things, ( I do).''

'Astute' and simply agreeing with someone else (ie you) aren't necesarily the same thing....

JaneRebecca said: "if we can find a great hotel near to the Galleries Lafayette and other good shopping, then it will be easy to meet him back there and he will like being there, if some waiting is necessary."

I'm sorry Jane, if any poster got the belief that you would "park" your husband at the hotel.

I agree with the other posters who said that you should see what he would like to do as it relates to compromises to allow you to shop.

Why not try to sell him on Paris trip with he can do whatever he wants to do, with the caveat that you can beg off (to shop) and will meet him somewhere that is convenient to his schedule? That way, he gets to see the Paris he wants to see, you get to shop in Paris (the original idea) and your concession is that your schedule for shopping will bow to his wants?

Crefloors:

It appears that Jane's husband can't find anything to do because Jane asked Fodorite's their opinions on how to convince her husband to go back to Paris so she could shop, not DH. The original post appears to be an attempt to come up with some hotel locations that will allow her to have the vacation she wants (shopping, with romantic dinners when she's done) that her husband might agree with and go. She can then come up with an itinerary that will have enough stuff that husband will agree, and she will still get to shop. IMO

Drop hubby off in Pigalle while you go shopping. He'll be in a romantic mood when you get done

Hi there,

Personally I recommend staying in the 10th arrondissement near Canal St Martin. There are direct metro lines to all the main shopping areas, yet the area itself is quiet, reasonably priced and with comparatively few tourists (it's the area in which I live and happily, few tourists know if its existence).

As for what to do after the shopping, I can offer you a few suggestions as I'm a food-mad Australian who moved to Paris a few years ago and after having so many requests for help from people just like you, I decided to start up my own foodie blog:

http://www.frenchfling.com/

I take my camera all around Paris and take photos of the bistros, restaurants etc and the various dishes served (I also try to talk to the chef when possible), then write reviews (including prices) so you can see for yourself what looks good! There are bars and shops, boutiques and cheese stores and all kinds of other things to help you fill in your days when you get here (or more importantly, your husband's days), so please take the time to have a look, it's one of the more comprehensive independent guides online - and it's free!

Hope I can be of some help to you and others coming to Paris!

Gabrielle.

R_U_Nutz wrote: "Drop hubby off in Pigalle while you go shopping. He'll be in a romantic mood when you get done"

I'm not sure about that. If Jane spends too long shopping while he is in Pigalle, then he might be done when she gets into a romantic mood.

<i>Personally I recommend staying in the 10th arrondissement near Canal St Martin.</i>

Oh FrenchFling, you have condemned yourself to the Fodor's exile colony for suggesting anything other than the 6th or 7th arrondissement for North American tourists.

JaneRebecca:

Thanks for being the catalyst of this amazing thread. Wow! I am amazed at how many people have too much time on their hands including many who seem to get their kicks from sniping and trying to find fault with whatever anyone else says.

My wife and I will be in Paris for about five days in late Ocober. We are reading and studying but we both know 99% of the enjoyment will come from just &quot;being there.&quot; We have been married almost 44 years and we both shop and ambulate at different speeds. So what?? We enjoy each other's comapny and we enjoy helping each other enjoy life but when there is no real reason or inclination to stay together for the next few minutes or hours, we merely set a time and a place to rendezvous again if we don't happen to run into each other in the meantime. This works in malls, cities or countries with durations of minutes, hours or days. Remember the &quot;KISS&quot; rule.
Bon Voyage.

There are rules about kissing?

Not in Paris, I don't think.

Keep It Simple, Stupid = KISS

Haven't read all of the thread, so I apologize if I'm repeating:)

I'd try the Hotel Mansart. It's around the corner from Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Large, updated rooms, great tv's/electronics in room, reasonable price - you can sneak around the block to get your shopping fix and your husband can watch tv or surf the web until you meet up.

Here's a review of my stay:

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_sl...l_mansart.html

The Intercontinental is about as close as you can get to the shopping action at the Grand Magasins. I've stayed there also, but prefer the Mansart for the cost difference and I find the rooms at the Mansart much larger (standard US size) than at the Intercontinental.

A bonus for the Intercontinental is that there are quite a few bars, etc. in the building for your husband to hang out in while waiting for you.

Here's a review for the Intercontinental:

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_sl...ntinental.html

Have a great trip - C

Read the entire thread -

Kerouac at 12:54 - You crack me up and always bring a smile to my face:).

Frenchfling - I like your site - can't wait to read more. Thanks for the link.

&gt;&gt;Keep It Simple, Stupid = KISS&lt;&lt;

That's other people's advice for a romantic marriage? Or a romantic goodbye? In Paris?

And do people really think all men get excited by porn in Pigalle? Or that no women do?

I really do think JaneRebecca and her husband should pick their own hotel room! (In consultation with each other.)

Gabrielle,

Thanks so much for posting the link to your website - really enjoying reading your comments about the different rest. in Paris. You might want to think about posting a separate thread on fodors so others can see your website.

JaneRebecca, look at it this way. Luxuriate in the fact that what with the psychotherapy couch that folks have insisted you lie down on while you get counselled for 'addiction', you'll be able to sleep comfortably on the transAtlantic flight while the rest of us are up all night jammed in economy seats.

;)

Look, it sounds like you and your spouse lead very busy lives. This means it's almost inevitable that you end up piling too much on this holiday. It's almost as if the two of you are struggling to make up for lost time on just about everything,- spending time together, spending time alone, doing quiet stuff, doing active stuff, the works. And no arguments.

LOL, a perfect recipe for disaster. As you well know, which is why you are trying to do a pre-emptive 'fix it.'

I suggest for this trip at least, you resign from the role of 'fixer' and go with the flow. If he wants to rush you while shopping, then take him up on the challenge. There's a theatre company in London that puts on a condensed &quot;complete works of Shakespeare&quot; play. Heck, if they can do the Bard's complete works in 90 minutes, the two of you can surely hit twenty shops in twenty minutes. Get your skates on! Winner gets to choose which museum or cafe you go to next.

Start being a little silly, have a little fun and the rest will start falling into place. (Such as arranging for a chance for you, armed with the info you picked up on during your Speed shop, to come back later and review a couple of shopping prospects in more detail.)

I know relaxation sometimes sounds scary, but it gets easier with practice. :))

Have a good trip.

Concorde is the ticket for Romance and shopping. Its a 5star hotel n the heart of where you want to be and you should ge ta deal during he fall. Try American Air Vacations, we got a room for less than 300/nt

There are 7 Concorde hotels in Paris. ? ? ?

I don't understand why you need to be near Galeries Layfayette. Why not try Bon Marche? In my opinion, it's the best department store in Paris. It's in the 7th and right at the Sevres Babylone metro station.

It's a less crowded store and with more personalized service. The Hotel Lutecia (sp?) is right down the street. You could stay there and then there are all of the absolutely great boutiques in the area on rue Grenelle, rue de Fours, and on side streets in the 6th. tons of them.
I've been shopping the 6th and 7th for 3 decades. While you're shopping, your husband can sit in the park, if weather permits, in front of Bon Marche department store, and read the paper.

There's also Bon Marche's gourmet grocery store next to the department store. He can get something to eat there as they have an eating area. Happy Travels!

Hi,

My DH and I have been to Paris a few times. The last trip I said I want to go for a few days and just shop and eat. We went last Feb. and it was fabulous. We did not buy a lot at all. I have no extra money and the fashions do not fit me well, but the shops are so beautiful that I loved looking. We went into flowers shops, cheese shops, chocolate, food stores, decorating stores, antique stores, children shops etc. We did not stay long in any of these places, but the wondering around the 6th was so relaxing. When DH got tired he went to a cafe and enjoyed people watching and a glass of wine. We did hit 2 museums and we ate very well. When we returned home we were relaxed after visiting Paris. It was a different vacation to Paris than we usually have, but it was nice and I would recommend it. Have a fabulous time.

Yipper

Good grief people! It doesn't sound to me like she has a shopping problem - or any other problem for that matter. There is nothing wrong with a little shopping by herself while her husband is either back at the hotel, or doing something else he enjoys. She did not say she was going to shop all day every day - or imply that shopping was all she wanted to do. She sounded like a thoughtful wife trying to find a way to make each of them happy during a few hours of shopping.

Jane, I stayed at the Intercontinental Grand this summer - nice but very expensive. I'm sorry I have no real help to offer you. Good luck and enjoy a wonderful romantic trip with your husband.

My mom stayed at the Lutetia mentioned upthread. She quite enjoyed it--she likes a big old hotel with a bar, a lobby, etc. Perhaps that would be fun for you and your husband. Convenient location for all sorts of activities.

By the way, I'm not much of a shopper, JaneRebecca, but thanks for starting this highly entertaining thread. I snorted with laughter a few times.

Why not just go shopping one day and while you shop, put him on one of those double-decker buses that goes around Paris...that ought to keep him busy... and then meet later for drinks? Smiles. Happy Travels!

Guenmai wrote: &quot;put him on one of those double-decker buses that goes around Paris...that ought to keep him busy..&quot;

I suspect that JaneRebecca's husband is an adult with a mind of his own, not a problem person to be placed or sent somewhere out of the way.

I would quite enjoy it if he discovered this forum and posted about going to Paris with his wife, asking for our views about how he might drag her away from the shops.

Place de la Concorde in Paris very close to the galleries if there was any doubt

Padraig....Lighten up and get a sense of humor. It was a joke...SMILES. Happy Travels!

She could take the RER out to the fantastic Val d'Europe shopping mall and then her husband could spend the day at Disneyland, too. ;)

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