What to Buy in Paris ??
 

Would love some opinions about what people feel is worth buying in Paris, i.e. either unavailable [easily] in the US, or sufficiently cheaper to be worth the time (not spend in museums or outdoors) and worth the trouble to lug home through customs.

Three things I almost always bring back: wine (including champagne); perfume; foie gras. (A guy's list is bound to be short!)

I was in Paris for 4 days with an avid shopper. She absolutely honed in on the lingerie shops. Although not especially exciting for me, during the 10 days we spent in Europe, it seems we saw them on every corner. Not something you see much of here. The other shop that was very visible was ice cream. yum. Good luck - and be sure to go to the top of Notre Dame.

I bought cashmere shawls for a great price for gifts. I also love my sculpture "the kiss" which I purchased at the Rodin Museum and sent home Fed-Ex. Replicas of museum pieces can be purchased in the US, but to see them is much better.

Each time I visit Paris, I look for new perfumes that haven't been introduced in the U.S. yet. Also there are so many stylish, well-made leather handbags made in France and cost less than $100 that we don't get in the U.S. so I buy one or two.

I don't really go anywhere to shop when I travel, and only buy small artistic or craft items that mean something to me, or I find unusual in design or particularly attractive. In Paris, I usually only buy clothes because I find I need a sweater or something I haven't packed due to unexpected weather, or berets because I wear them a lot in winter and they have lots of good-quality pure wood berets in Paris. I have bought some lingerie in Paris, but it wasn't crucial, just for fun (it wasn't cheaper). I live in a large city, so there's nothing that unusual in that regard in Paris that I couldn't buy at home, if I wanted, or even the same brands.<BR><BR>Aside from minor art items or souvenirs or something truly unique (such as a crystal wine glass set that was a reproduction of those used by Georges Sand, which I fell in love with), the only things I really buy in Paris consistently because of better availability and price are French books and CDs.

Shopping at the grocery stores and dept. stores is fun. I've brought back hardware for the house, enammelled house numbers, towels, liquors, tins of luxury foods, and yes, fois gras. Also as (with the exception of the latter) these are not targetted to tourists, the prices are reasonable.

Longchamps purses are cheaper in Paris and the selection is MUCH better. I've only found them at Saks Fifth Avenue here.

I bought my crystal and china in Paris. It was considerably less and definitely worth it.

Mephisto shoes are the best savings. This is the website-email them and get the locations.<BR>http://www.mephisto.com/PAGES%20ENGLISH/Fbase.htm

Foie gras, unrefined sea salt for cooking (available in any grocery store in 1 kg packages), fleur de sel for for table salt and any liquor that is unavailable in the States (eau de noix, for example). Wines are not worth lugging, especially if you are from California. Liquor filled chocolates make great gifts.

Handbags -- Longchamps and Herve Chapelier come to mind.

There is a shop around the corner from Rue Cler that has beautiful prepared foods. Has anyone brought fresh food (not canned) back to the US? I always want to bring some of it back but I'm afraid I will have a problem with customs. I know we can't bring in live plants, but what about meats and cheeses? Thanks<BR>

I would not recommend trying - customs has been more difficult in recent years and since 9/11 it's better not to create a problem. In the old days I brought back a suitcase full of hams and specialty cheese from Germany. No more! You are better off buying on line and having things shipped.

No kidding Jeff, you brought back a suitcase (!) full of ham and cheese? Must have been very heavy to lift but worth it!

What is a Longchamps bag?

There is no particular style of Longchamps bag - they make all sorts. I have a black leather backpack but they do all sorts of hand bags and luggage. There is a Longchamps boutique here in Sydney. They are identified by an oval logo (stamped into the leather) of a horse and jockey (Longchamps is a racecourse near Paris).

I bought my mom some really beautiful fabric from Paris. She is having it made into some sort of blanket or pillows or something along that line. Millions of fabric stores in Montmartre area.

Christina,<BR>Are wood berets warmer than others? Aren't they a little heavy? And do they come in colors?<BR><BR>A new fashion statement, peutetre?

Thanks to all. Great ideas. I am not a recreational shopper (can see the appeal but usually run short of time), although I hate to pass up a chance to buy things in places where it makes sense. Nice to get tuned into some things I had not thought of.