What's a must to buy in Paris?
Jul 2nd, 2008, 01:19 PM
#101
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A favorite of ours, and is sold in the U.S. BUT TASTES DIFFERENT, is the Maille brand 1747 Moutarde "Fine de Dijon". It is sold in various sizes and is a wonderful gift from France. This mustard compliments everything from sandwiches to salad dressing recipes to marinades for your BBQ. You can locate these jars in most markets throughout France.
When I run low and have no trip planned, I have family members ship a jar or two. It's that good!!!
To add more meaning to this mustard being presented as a gift for family and friends back home, you can share the following tidbit;
"Maille is a French mustard and pickle company. Founded in 1747, it is famous for its Dijon mustard and cornichon. The company traces its roots to Antoine Claude Maille. In 1720 Maille developed new forms of vinegar to help stop the ongoing plague engulfing the south of France. Maille set up a shop in Paris in 1747 and in 1769 became the official vinegar supplier and distiller of the King of France."
We have purchased every different kind of dijon that Maille offers in the U.S. (even those with labels in French from world import stores that specialize in European foods), and the taste is much more bland than the "Fine de Dijon" jar from France. You will find different selections from the Maille brand, but I think the "Fine de Dijon" is the best.
When I run low and have no trip planned, I have family members ship a jar or two. It's that good!!!
To add more meaning to this mustard being presented as a gift for family and friends back home, you can share the following tidbit;
"Maille is a French mustard and pickle company. Founded in 1747, it is famous for its Dijon mustard and cornichon. The company traces its roots to Antoine Claude Maille. In 1720 Maille developed new forms of vinegar to help stop the ongoing plague engulfing the south of France. Maille set up a shop in Paris in 1747 and in 1769 became the official vinegar supplier and distiller of the King of France."
We have purchased every different kind of dijon that Maille offers in the U.S. (even those with labels in French from world import stores that specialize in European foods), and the taste is much more bland than the "Fine de Dijon" jar from France. You will find different selections from the Maille brand, but I think the "Fine de Dijon" is the best.
Jul 5th, 2008, 05:56 AM
#102
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"Maile mustard in the crocks filled from the tap and sealed with corks."
I second this. We purchased one for ourselves last year at Maille, but ended up giving as a gift, which was much appreciated. This year, we're going to get several.
The best sunscreen (according to my dermatologist), LaRoche Posay "Anthelios" is not available in the US above SPF 15. I stock up on the 50+ from Parisian pharmacies.
Ladies into handbags: check out LaMarthe at Printemps or Galleries Lafayette or Gerard Darel bags at department stores or GD boutiques. Très chic, nice leather, and a fraction of the cost of designer bags.
I second this. We purchased one for ourselves last year at Maille, but ended up giving as a gift, which was much appreciated. This year, we're going to get several.
The best sunscreen (according to my dermatologist), LaRoche Posay "Anthelios" is not available in the US above SPF 15. I stock up on the 50+ from Parisian pharmacies.
Ladies into handbags: check out LaMarthe at Printemps or Galleries Lafayette or Gerard Darel bags at department stores or GD boutiques. Très chic, nice leather, and a fraction of the cost of designer bags.
Jul 5th, 2008, 07:50 AM
#103
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Longchamp purses are my addiction there as they are the perfect travel purse for their strength of carrying much and being able to fold up!
Some of my friends who are grandparents love to buy the inexpensive(use that term loosely) kiddie clothes at Monoprix-they just look and feel European and something you cannot get in the states!
Cloth wine holders(yes, I do buy a few bottles at a time) are another fun(fold flat) treasure- have fun!
Some of my friends who are grandparents love to buy the inexpensive(use that term loosely) kiddie clothes at Monoprix-they just look and feel European and something you cannot get in the states!
Cloth wine holders(yes, I do buy a few bottles at a time) are another fun(fold flat) treasure- have fun!
Jul 7th, 2008, 04:50 PM
#106
The Longchamp nylon bags that fold come in several sizes. I used the medium to bring back my three bottles of olive oil before the restrictions. You can buy them here at Longchamp shops, NM., and Saks.
Jul 7th, 2008, 04:58 PM
#107
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Deja_sue...My best friend and I have bought ALL of our Lamarthe handbags at T.J.Maxx for less than half the Paris price. We live in L.A. area. We are handbag collectors and have so many that mine are on a computerized sort of list and stored in huge, numbered,clear plastic containers. I can find any of the ones I want to use in a matter of seconds. Now is that organization or what? Smiles. Happy shopping. Happy Travels!
Jul 7th, 2008, 06:35 PM
#108
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Guenmai, you are my handbag hero. I was starting to quiver just reading about your "system", LOL I agree, TJMaxx rocks for scoring expensive euro handbag on the cheap. I really like Francesco Biasia, which is ridiculously priced in Italy, and equally so at Nordstrom, Saks, etc. I can always pick up one or two of his bags at TJMaxx. They're still over $100 even there, but compared to the $400-$600 they are getting in Rome it's a steal!!!
You can never have too many handbags, it's a proven fact.
You can never have too many handbags, it's a proven fact.
Jul 7th, 2008, 06:56 PM
#109
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We were there is April and there were so many things I wanted to purchase but realized I could buy everything in the US for 34-40% cheaper.I do rec. The one thing we did splurge on was food.All kinds and well worth every penny
Jul 7th, 2008, 07:11 PM
#110
Guilia, I once thought like you but no more. I keep a few favorites one forty years old. They now have made bags(like Shoes) the big thing to have, so they make new styles every month and get very high prices. If it's not made in Italy or France. You are getting Scr****.
I bought my last expensive bag but for personal reasons,
No more.
I bought my last expensive bag but for personal reasons,
No more.
Jul 7th, 2008, 07:18 PM
#111
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Giulia...My best friend and I have a mini Francesco Biasia collection and all, except one of them, we bought at T.J.Maxx. That one I bought at Nordstrom at regular price because it was an absolute "Must Have".
Our last BIG handbag purchase was last month at Nordtrom when there was the BIG sale and Chloe went on sale. I checked out Chloe while in Paris in the spring, however knowing that I would never get the American price. I basically checked it out for the styles.
I saw a Chloe, at Nordstrom, back at the beginning of the season..around September and kept my eye on it for many months. I then went in to my salesperson a few months ago and had her look in the computer to see if there was still one or more in the system and she said there were two...at both Norstrom stores that I shop at. It had been pulled off the floor and put in the stockroom waiting for the big June sale. I told her I definitely wanted it. She called me some months later and did presale over the phone and it was mine. It went from $1249. down to the eight category...first markdown. My best friend and I jumped on it. I bought a messenger bag...metallic, distressed, goldish-bronze leather...a work of art. My best friend bought the tote style. Both are Paddington with the gold lock trimmed in matching leather. Then around three weeks ago, I was in the store and the same one I had bought, different color(the distressed silver one) had hit the second markdown...in the five hundred category. I didn't want to chance waiting for the five hundred category. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Happy Travels!
Our last BIG handbag purchase was last month at Nordtrom when there was the BIG sale and Chloe went on sale. I checked out Chloe while in Paris in the spring, however knowing that I would never get the American price. I basically checked it out for the styles.
I saw a Chloe, at Nordstrom, back at the beginning of the season..around September and kept my eye on it for many months. I then went in to my salesperson a few months ago and had her look in the computer to see if there was still one or more in the system and she said there were two...at both Norstrom stores that I shop at. It had been pulled off the floor and put in the stockroom waiting for the big June sale. I told her I definitely wanted it. She called me some months later and did presale over the phone and it was mine. It went from $1249. down to the eight category...first markdown. My best friend and I jumped on it. I bought a messenger bag...metallic, distressed, goldish-bronze leather...a work of art. My best friend bought the tote style. Both are Paddington with the gold lock trimmed in matching leather. Then around three weeks ago, I was in the store and the same one I had bought, different color(the distressed silver one) had hit the second markdown...in the five hundred category. I didn't want to chance waiting for the five hundred category. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Happy Travels!
Jul 7th, 2008, 07:55 PM
#112
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We travel light and aren't big on shopping, but...one purchase we have really enjoyed is GREETING CARDS!! (It's fun to give these birthday, wedding, etc. cards to friends, all written in French)!
Sep 22nd, 2008, 11:29 AM
#115
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Does anyone know if Creme De La Mer is cheaper in Paris? It's $355 a jar here at Neiman Marcus, has anyone purchased it recently in France? What was the price? Any websites where I can check prices?
Sep 22nd, 2008, 11:42 AM
#116
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A Longchamp Bag, of course.
I paid 80 Euros for a special edition bag at the Paris Airport in 2006, and I am still wearing it today. Of course the rate of exchange is not what it used to be!
Also I always buy jar of spice, and a tin of coffee at Hediard.. Spice lasts forever, and the tin is re-usable, and ...always a warm reminder in my California kitchen.
I paid 80 Euros for a special edition bag at the Paris Airport in 2006, and I am still wearing it today. Of course the rate of exchange is not what it used to be!
Also I always buy jar of spice, and a tin of coffee at Hediard.. Spice lasts forever, and the tin is re-usable, and ...always a warm reminder in my California kitchen.
Sep 22nd, 2008, 04:24 PM
#119
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My answer would be "nothing". I just did a house clean out on ebay (in preparation for downsizing once mortgage money is available--I should live so long). You would be amazed at the number of souvenirs from trips that walked out the door. Many of them I looked at and thought, "Why did I buy that?"
I just returned from Australia and NZ. I bought some t-shirts, small pieces of artisanal jewelry, and one clock of kauri wood in NZ. My luggage had less in it when I returned than it did when I left because I threw some old clothes away and gave away an old sweatshirt to someone who remarked that she liked it.
There were trips where I bought so much. Most of it went on ebay. Never again.
I just returned from Australia and NZ. I bought some t-shirts, small pieces of artisanal jewelry, and one clock of kauri wood in NZ. My luggage had less in it when I returned than it did when I left because I threw some old clothes away and gave away an old sweatshirt to someone who remarked that she liked it.
There were trips where I bought so much. Most of it went on ebay. Never again.
Sep 22nd, 2008, 05:10 PM
#120
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Marvis toothpaste(yeah,Anthropologie has it in the states),Cire Trudon candles, lithos from the Louvre, flea market finds(great bottle opener from an old grapevine rootstock and a venetian chandelier) Grocery store items-their shopping bags, I use them in the states for daily shopping, spices, mustards(try the eucalyptus mustard) madeleines, and lump brown sugar for the occasional absinthe. Down in the tunnels in the metro system the large stations have gift and food items. Purchase a beret, scarf or guide to the arrondisments. Walk to the Place de Concord and go in the Ritz Hotel, giftshop is just inside to the left-pick up their logo small candy dish or leather carte orange holder.(Please dress nice enough for the doorman to think you are staying here as he opens the door for you!)Tell them "yes" they are gifts,and they will wrap your purchases beautifully!!
