Scarlett

Jocelyn,
do you two have enough lists of places to shop ? LOL
Do you need anymore lists?

Jocelyn_P

Hey Scarlett, here's what I have so far:

Mariage Freres for tea

Laduree for macaroons and chocolate

I also want to find:
lavender oil
lotion and bath products
fleur de sel

I'm assuming I'll find shops with those products as we're walking...or should I go someplace specific? They don't have to be the best of the best; just fun souvenirs.

I'm also assuming I won't have any trouble finding street artists to sell me a watercolor painting?

MMHH

Sorry Jocelyn, I personally do not like to talk about politics. But I just felt like I had to say that after I read awbaker's" I tried to convince my mom & sisters to go(to France), but they refused based on their political reasons" ?!!

Scarlett

Jocelyn,
here are a couple of new places that I have on my list for this year, if you need more lists!
Freddy, a perfumerie
3 rue Scribe
Fabrice a shop
33 & 54 rue Bonaparte
Ted Alexander
rue de Bac
And do not miss just browsing in the Maeght Gallerie on rue de Bac.
AND
a place on rue de Seine where the lady not only knew and modeled for Jean Cocteau but she sells his prints and lithographs. Very dear but wonderful to browse through.

cigalechanta

Jocelyn, find a supermarket where you can buy things like fleur de sel
with less markups than the boutiques and beautiful packaged cookies, hot chocolate and so many other things.

dln

Jocelyn, that's good advice Mimi's just given you. Supermarkets are wonderful places to shop for souvenirs to bring home for yourself and others. Marcy and I thoroughly enjoyed shopping at the Monoprix near our hotel, as well as another nearby supermarket. You can buy tapenades, fleur du sel, jams, mustards, small bottles of olive oil etc. The packaging on so many of these items is so pretty! Bon Marche also has a fantastic food hall, though pricey. I've not been to the food hall at Galleries Lafayette, but I've heard good things about it.

I wish I were gong back to Paris soon.

cigalechanta

I bet you couldn't lift your suitcase overhead with all you bought, dln.

mvor

Grocery stores e.g. Champion/Monoprix are the way to go. We always stock up on L'Olivier oil (Sicilian or Basil), Sea Salt, Hot Mustard, Pesto, Cassis, Stationery, and anything that has figs, chestnuts, or apricot as a key ingredient.

Have a terrific trip!

P.S. We bought our kitties Duck and Game cat food once but they were not impressed.

cigalechanta

My kind of ladies, to know where the real bargains are! My suze and pastis always frim a carrafour.

rocny

I must admit that I don't care for Paris. But I'm going to give this another shot based on [email protected] stories. How She emulates her words was enough to take a another trip and I'm going to even venture to Provence.

WillTravel

rocny, what did you not like the first time about Paris? I think giving it another chance is a good idea.

rocny

I was 19 and arrived at Gare du Nord on a 1 year backing trip across Europe, The area should speak for itself. First impression, lasting impression.

cigalechanta

And why have you not posted before. I see this is your first?

rocny

Your right, I do read your comments and they have been helpful over the years.

dln

Mimi, I will not be the least bit bashful in telling you that whereas Marcy and I made our trip to Paris with carry-on luggage we did NOT go home with carry-on luggage!

Jocelyn, I hope you come to love Paris the way so many of us do. We want to hear all about it when you return.

rocny: don't give up on Paris. I visited for my first time when I was in my early thirties and though I enjoyed and appreciated the city, I did not come away from it with stars in my eyes. Over ten years elapsed by the time I returned with my husband and it was magic, pure magic. Paris will speak to you eventually, have no doubts!

btewalt

Hi all! Guess I should jump into this thread, since I am, after all, the other half of this girls trip! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Jocelyn, we may have to travel together more often, because we are sooo on the same page for what to do while there. You just left out one important thing: crepes and pastries! And speaking to one of the previous posts, on a trip to Japan, I bought many of my "souveniers" (did I spell that right) at the 100 Yen store. No one at home was the wiser! See you in 4 days Joc!

awbaker

Jocelyn --

I wanted to add a couple more shopping items, although I think you have your plate fairly full from the other wonderful suggestions. Annick Goutal perfumes (heavenly!) AND J. Leblanc oils, especially their nut oils (a FANTASTIC pistachio oil!) J. Leblanc is, I think (?) on rue Jacob in the 6th. They also have mustards, salts and wonderful olive oils. Annick Goutal has her own store near the Tuileries, I believe, but the perfumes are also sold in the department stores. I just ran out, so I can't wait to get back to Paris this Spring to stock up again!

You both will have a fantastic time!!

awbaker

I'm not quite sure why I said "this Spring" when I'm not going until June. Sigh... wishful thinking, I guess!

dln

Annick Goutal also has a shop at St. Sulpice church on the square, in front of the bus stop. Marcy and I walked past it every day.

awbaker

thanks, din! I didn't know that, and I will be staying near there -- yea!!

Also, Jocelyn and btewalt. This may not be your type of thing -- but I LOVED going to the Ritz to have a drink in the Hemingway bar. I was pregnant at the time, so they made me something very fruity & VERY pretty (without alcohol.) It was so fun to feel pampered! Even the powder room was a treat -- all marble, mirrors and chandeliers!