Are Mephisto shoes a lot cheaper in France? Where can you buy them?

Leslie and Grasshopper, thanks so much for all the info.I will look through all my papers that I never throw out(much to my husbands chagrin) but they do come in handy sometimes! and I will see if there is record of taxes charged on other antiques we have purchased,and what about the painting from the Gallerie Behret? mmmm ~C

We have been buying posters and prints in Paris for some 30-odd years now. Most of our friends/family have at least one such memory of old Paris. A fun morning is to start at the river & rue de Seine and walk up the street to the markets at rue Buci. The first stop would be Galerie Beheret(web site available), 9, quai Malaquais, and be sure to stop in at Galerie Documents, our primary source of prints and posters over the years. Prices are somewhat negotiable at many spots and they will pack you purchases for carry-on or shipping. Paris prices are lower than US and your selection will be extensive. Then have a drink at the famous La Palette and experience their equally famous restroom (not a restful experience for ladies!). Bar du Marche, 75 rue de Seine,is also good for a kir & omelette. <BR><BR><BR>

Jim: Why is La Palette's restroom famous?

La Palettes bathroom has the crouch over it kind of toilet

The La Palette toilet not only has the infamous "feet" as your only guidance, but as I recall, it sits out in the bar area surrounded only by frosted glass. A truely memorable experience--hopefully still there. But I guess that is easily said, coming from a guy!

topping

This isn't technically an answer to the question, since I bought it in Aix, not Paris, but I saw the same in Galeries Lafayette - a very handsome leather purse that I have used almost daily for the past 2 1/2 years; the brand is Lamarthe. I love this bag! Now, a related question: what didn't you buy that you wish you had? My answer: more purses, the brightly colored leather ones that I saw stylish French women carrying. I saw dozens I could have bought at great prices at Galeries Lafayette's leather goods department (aka Heaven). I hope to get a couple when I go in April. Does anyone know if they're still popular?

ttt

Haven't been on the boards for awhile so wasn't able to answer the question about the Chapelier bags. I have mine with me now, stuffed full of my stuff and it still looks great. I got it in the store in the 6th arrond. on rue de Vieux. They had a million colors and styles. Monoprix is everywhere but the one I went to was also in the 6th arrond. and had a great food store downstairs. But my favorite one was in Fontainbleu where I stopped to buy a scarf cause I was freezing! Also bought a darling little potted Christmas tree from a florist on the same street (was there at Christmas). Carried it all the way home to Paris on the train to my fellow passengers amusement.

I wouldn't say it's the best thing, but I did what I refer to as the cheap French wine tour...I brought back French wines in pop top cans and boxes with straws...(the same as the juice boxes kids like to drink from)...I keep them in a glass cabinet next to other wines and liquors and people get a kick out of them.

We purchased individual small Limoges cheese plates while shopping in a pottery/china store (some seconds items) in the Marais area. They were not expensive and guests always remark how different they are. Each plate depicts a variety of french cheeses and wines.

I bought a nice French hooker named Chloe with webbed feet for about $9 US

ttt

Since we've had several Paris trip reports lately, I thought I'd bump this to see if there were more suggestions.

Orangina! We loved it.

When this thread started, the US dollar was a whole lot stronger, I believe.

The euro's ascent sure put a crimp in my souvenir plans. Normally, we try to buy our Christmas presents when we are on vacation, but not this time. Anyway, my favorite purchase was the pearly-oyster-shellish necklace and earrings that my husband spotted in the window at Cecile et Jeanne. I wore them my first day back to work to give myself a little mental boost.

Renee - below is what I had written on another post regarding the Sunday art market:
The art market is open every Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 (?)) and uses the stalls from the food market in the same location on Saturdays. The art is mixed - oil and watercolor paintings, hand dyed silk, pottery, jewelry. My favorite watercolorist is a young man from Singapore, Maurice Tan. http://www.warmgray.com/index.htm
The market site is right over the Edgar Quinet metro stop.

If you plan to bring home your art, try not to buy it framed and bring or buy a tube to roll it and carry it safely. Bubble wrap is good too; just throw it in the bottom of your case and use for any breakables you buy.

Here's the link for the art market (in French)

http://www.marchecreation.com/montpa...ndex.php?lg=fr

An Art Deco vase purchased at a little boutique in the Marais and 'Plein Sud' pewter-tone Leather jeans with great stitching detail on the seams and pockets,that fit me perfect!It was a fun Paris shopping day. Of course, I wore them the very next day and at every store, museum, and restaurant I went to someone complemented me on the pants, and asked where I bought them.