We'll be in Paris for a week beginning 9/20 and would like to bring back some gifts and things for ourselves. What, if anything, is a good value? How much can you bring back? Any strategies on how to save money? Credit card vs. cash? Does anyone know what the current exchange rate is? Is this a favorable rate?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

We were in Paris last Oct and found that using our VISA gave us the best exchange rate. At that time, using cash, the exchange was about 5 francs to an AM. dollar. There were plenty of atm machines, whcih we used for cash. We never even used our travelers checks. As far as things to buy-everything is expensive! No bargains there! I bought some posters etc at the museum stores, a couple artsy things in Monmartre and some french linens. (Bread is cheap & good). There is a great selection of everything but I found no bargains and consequently brought back very little. Two of our friends have subsequently been to Paris this year and said the same thing! Spend your money on good food, bring back wine and enjoy the sites!!Bon Voyage!!

Someone who managed the fragrance counter at a duty-free shop on the Canada/US border once told me that the thing to buy in France is perfume (or whatever fragrance strength you prefer, eau de toilette, etc.) because they use a different alchohol there than they do in the french perfumes made for US distribution. In other words, even if you wear fragrance from a french company, ie. Chanel No. 5 or Shalimar, if it has a US distribution like New York on the back, which it will (Is this the longest sentence you've ever seen or what?) then it will have a different type of alchohol than the exact same fragrance distributed in France. She apparently knew this because they had to go through all kinds of special paperwork at the duty free for the "real" French perfumes. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

SFINK and Nina,

Thanks you for the input. Your replies confirmed what we've previously heard and read.

Thanks again...

I ditto what's already been said, but I would still encourage you to visit one of the large department stores like Au Printemps or Galleries Lafayette. No bargains but you can find unusual household items as gifts (someone brought me a wonderful salad bowl). Also, if you have anyone that would appreciate children's clothes, I say buy an outfit. Expensive or not, no one makes children's clothes like the French.

Go to the Maille shop, aka, Dijon mustard. Two stores, Paris and Dijon. Try the Au Vin Blanc and take it home in a crock.
If you have a rail pass, take a day trip to Beaune on the TGV, the center of Burgundy wines. Be sure to visit the Patriarche cellars.

The exchange rate is very favorable right now, so you're in luck. About 15%25 higher than last September when we were there. Agree that most everything is VERY expensive and not necessarily a product of France, so shop carefully. If you see something you absolutely love and can bear the price, BUY IT. It will always remind you of your wonderful times there. If you are looking for NICE souvenirs, the best selection is on the same road as the Eiffel Tower toward the Bir Hakeim metro station. Lots of wonderful momentos and a terrific postcard selection. We saw similar items all over Paris at much higher prices. I purchased a "watercolor" there of Pont Alexandre III for $2.00 (which sold for as much as $12.00 elsewhere) (and cost me $50 to have beautifully framed when I got home) which I treasure. Another good place for momentos is all along Rue de Rivoli. Especially the GAULT shop where we bought some fantastic beautiful refrigerator magnets - gorgeous ceramic pieces of a cafe, a bridge, a hotel, etc. And, I found a wonderful copper and porcelain bain marie (which is always on my stove now) at La Samaritaine which was more reasonably priced than anything similar I have seen stateside. You will also find more reasonably priced interesting items in the tiny boutiques in neighborhoods beyond the normal tourist beats. Definitely pay for as much as possible with a credit card for the best exchange rate. Another good idea is to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare before your departure and use any leftover FF or traveller's checks at the duty free shops. The prices there for the same items were 1/4-1/3 less than in Paris. I found a spectacular book of photographs of Paris for a mere $6.00. As for perfurme, I have worn Channel No. 5 for more than 30 years. It was much more expensive in Paris. But, I did try some from a "tester" and was thrilled to find out that the fragrance was exactly the same and that what I buy in America is, indeed, authentic! If you plan to do any serious shopping, pick up a copy of one of the shopping guides to Paris in the travel section at your local bookstore. You'll save the price of the book with the valuable tips included.

there are several shops that sell "gault" minerature paris houses and selected accessories. they are adorable but not real cheap. they sell them in 5 locations in paris and at the airport. you can preview the "provence" versions on the internet..
i love my few little pieces and often go back to paris while looking at them...

Perfume was a bargain I thought,less than U.S...French use potatoe alcohol so fragrance is different...purses were wonderful and beautiful shapes and colors,scarves by the ton..I found a beautiful one at St.Michel metro vendor for about 6 bucks but still lots of variety and price range..go to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps..always can fine something fun,wonderful..the underwear dept. is incredible...

Lingere! Wine! Umbrellas! These are the real bargains in Paris. The department stores (Samaritaine, Printemps, Galleries Lafayette) will have a great selection of beautiful and relatively inexpensive underwear. Buy lots. You won't regret it. Also, visit a lingere boutique for the really gorgeous (and pricey) stuff. Wine - anything produced in France - is a lot cheaper there than here. If you like wine, bring back your limit. We discovered that the french also make good quality, reliable umbrellas for a reasonable amount. These are best found, once again, in the department stores. And for a shopping adventure, go to the flea market! Nothing's really cheap there, but if antiquing and searching for something unusual interests you and you have the time, it's absolutely worth it. Finally - eat! Even try a slightly shabby cafe. The French are so particular about food. The only lousy meal we had was in an expensive, overblown tourist place.

Spent 3 weeks of April in Paris. One really smart purchse was miniature postcards, about 3 x 5,that looked like watercolored street scenes which I bought at a newspaper stand. Had them framed when I returned home and gave as gifts to my kids and family. But I have very fond memories of the good food and drinks. Avoid the french fries, they serve them with everything. I agree with the comment about purchasing kids clothes. They were beautiful. And I found the French are not as rude as reported.