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-   -   What is your favorite unique thing to buy in Paris? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-is-your-favorite-unique-thing-to-buy-in-paris-712690/)

audreyleigh99 Jun 12th, 2007 06:05 PM

What is your favorite unique thing to buy in Paris?
 
I love buying tea from Mariage Freres and also plan to seek out a few good shops a friend recommended for good chocolates (I can post these later, I left the names at work today!) when I'm there next week. I also like getting cute little Longchamp bags I haven't seen in the U.S. yet (although last time I went the exchange rate was much better). What is your favorite thing to buy in Paris? Any suggestions of fun little shops for teas, candies, chocolates, soaps, etc.? Or even just fun things you like to get at the grocery store there that you can't get at home?

Nikki Jun 12th, 2007 06:47 PM

La Maison Ivre for colorful pottery made in the French countryside. 38 rue Jacob in the 6th arrondissement.

Huilerie J.LeBlanc for olive oil and nut oils from the farm of the family who runs the shop. 6 rue Jacob.

La Tuile a Loup, more pottery and kitchen items from the countryside. 35 rue Daubenton, in the 5th arrondissement near the rue Mouffetard market.

Dona Giacometti at 6, rue St. Sulpice. A tiny storefront where the owner makes earrings from colored glass. Just enough room to fit two people in front of the workbench and pick out your earrings.

Metal Pointu’s, at 9, rue de Charonne near Bastille and other locations in Paris. A jewelry store selling original designs.

sarabeth Jun 12th, 2007 08:09 PM

thanks Nikki, we're staying a few doors down from La Maison Ivre!! Goodie!
I love going to the supermarket section of Monoprix and cruise every aisle. I dearly love the canned tuna in different sauces, thon a la provincale, being my fav. Knorr soups are great..soupe au pistou...
for chocolate there is Puryicar (spelling is something like that) but i hear the chocolate and pastry from Pierre Herme- 72 rue Bonaparte. I'm going to check that out. You might laugh but the last time I was in France, I bought tissues with eucalyptus scent...i swear, 5 years later there is still the scent...little things like that really make the trip come back...even 5 years later. Can't wait to get there!!! And yes, Longchamps for sure!!


Kate_W Jun 12th, 2007 10:01 PM

Table linens from Jacquard Francais (sold in most department stores). If your budget doesn't stretch to their tablecloths, you can buy napkins or some great dishtowels (and you can wrap them around your breakable purchases to protect them, so they do double duty).

Grandot Jun 12th, 2007 11:04 PM

My son and daughter-in-law travel to Paris every summer. They are great shoppers. One of the shops they love is called Les Nereides on rue du four. They have really nice jewelry.

ekscrunchy Jun 13th, 2007 04:52 AM

I am rather new to the Mariage Freres miracle, but on recent trips that has been one of my first stops. I bought a small stack of boxes (yes, I use tea bags) last week; they are expensive for those of us in the US, as a box now costs 11.50 euro. But it is worth it for the pleasure! And those shops!!?? Are there any more beautiful in Paris? Does anyone care to share favorite blends?

I always stop at Laduree for a few snacks..but not to take home..

And always, always, Huilerie LeBlanc for the nut oils and sometimes the olive. She packs them in nice bubble wrap packs, too.

I also buy bath gloves at Monoprix or a small inexpensive linen shop like the one I found in the 17th recently.

Fleur de Sel

Amora mustard from Casino or other market

I also love the canned tuna, I often buy the one in the blue and yellow can..Petite something. But with the exchange rate thee were not a good buy last time..

Nivea face creams

I would like to know if there are great not-expensive soaps to look for...I never tried Roger & Gallet..are those great? Others in that general price range or any from a supermarket. (Not Lush)

ekscrunchy Jun 13th, 2007 04:54 AM

.....sorry, the tuna I mentioned above is Petit Navire. Blue cans with yellow and white accents.

nutjobz Jun 13th, 2007 05:03 AM

My daughter & I got Le Petit Marsaillais (sp) soaps & shampoo last time in Paris, they are very nice especially the olive oil, and available in grocery stores. We also like the La Bello chap sticks.
Longchamps bags are not as good a deal as they were but the selection is great, we got wallets that are not usually available here.

sarabeth Jun 13th, 2007 05:17 AM

Regarding soap. In the past i have always bought pretty soap from france and italy...BUT...i find many beautiful soaps imported( especially from italy)right here in the us at.....ross, marshalls...the price is probably cheaper than in europe...so, i'm done buying soap...except when i go to provence and then i stock up at the open-air markets..thanks for the shop for nut oils..nothing like walnut oil from france

SuzieCII Jun 13th, 2007 06:37 AM

but there is something about the soaps from THERE!
Uniquie thing to buy -next time something that seems to be unique here in my little American city is quality linen or "rag" note paper. Maybe it is because of email...but NEXT time I'm in Paris, I'm going to get the information the stationery shops.

Randy Jun 13th, 2007 08:50 AM

Fish knives for when serving fish and knife rests at the BHV

Micheline Jun 13th, 2007 10:19 AM

Cute little bottles for oil embossed with O&co at Olivier & Co. about 3 euros.

Images2 Jun 13th, 2007 10:33 AM

Beautiful lace curtains from BHV!

audreyleigh99 Jun 13th, 2007 11:18 AM

Wow, tons of great suggestions, thanks! I am getting so excited to be there next week! The handmade glass earrings sound fabulous and I can't wait for Laduree . . . but I don't think goodies like that will make it home . . . I'll be lucky if any of the chocolates I buy make it home :)

beaupeep Jun 13th, 2007 11:20 AM

Unfortunately for my waistline I just discovered those lovely macarons at Ladurée during my visit to Paris last month. Since I go there at least 2x a year, this could be a bad thing.

jody Jun 13th, 2007 12:41 PM

I love Roger and Gallet soaps and colognes, especially Gingembre! The prices are great at Cité Pharmacie on rue Bonaparte and rue du Four. In fact all the prices there are fantastic.

There is always something new in the museum shops...if you don't want to check out all the museums, there is a shop in the Marais that has selections from al the different museums. I have the address somewhere.

Any regular grocery store will have al sorts of goodies that are east to transport and not available at home.

jody Jun 13th, 2007 12:54 PM

SArabeth, I just noticed that you are staying on rue Jacob. We've stayed on that street once or twice every year for the last 20 years. The only hotel on the st. we haven't tried YET is Deux Continents.It's a shopper's paradise for unusual gifts. There are several great antique shops, a store that sells wonderful paper products, jewelry stores, children's clothing that is most unusual, a book store..and that is in addition to the Huilerie J.LeBlanc and Maison D'Ivre. Also a oriental rug store that has wonderful Kilim pillow covers that are not very expensive and are easy to transport.

ira Jun 13th, 2007 01:01 PM

Our last visit I brought back four woven baskets for raising bread dough.

Very useful.

((I))

Jess215 Jun 13th, 2007 01:11 PM

As a solo traveler who cannot schlep very much, and as resident of a city where you can buy most everything French (or if not -- there is the internet) I buy Lion Bars at the supermarche and Tintin memorabilia for the kids, and dish towels or paper goods (napkins, etc.) for the gals. The men don't really want anything, but they do snitch a couple Lion bars. If there is a new baby, or one soon due, I bring home some cute soft toy (usually from le Marche du Monde (on rue Dauphone, I believe). For myself - I buy one cosmetic item at the Marionnaud on rue Dauphine, and the saleswoman gives me a whole bunch of little samples and promos). Sometimes I pick up some end-of-season clothes on sale at Irie (incredibly chic wash'n'wear - unbelievable) on Rue de Pres aux Clercs or a blouse or vest at Rayure (I go to the one on rue d'Assas). For a friend, who used to live in Paris -- some little things she likes @ Monoprix ( a certain brand of kleenex, envelopes, pocket agenda, etc.).And as I stay in an apartment, I usually have some unused teabags, coffee beans, etc. to bring home and share.
Jess

Lawchick Jun 13th, 2007 01:28 PM

I love buying shoes in Paris....particularly at the end of the sales. I'm a 41 which appears to be giant size in Paris, but the 41s always miraculously appear at the end of the sales. I have a great collection of shoes from Paris at knockdown prices.

I like buying "foreign" food at G. L Gourmet. I used to go there for a regular supply of one of my favourite beers - La fin du monde.


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