Has anyone ever come across a dept store or shop where you can make your own perfume scent in Paris? Sounds tacky I know, but I remember seeing it somewhere and now I can't recall where.

One of the most prestigious and notable parfumiers is Creed. For a relatively large sum they will consult with you, and create your very own scent. I believe the minimum order stands at around ten litres. It is in the tens of thousands of EUR for a completely unique i.e. not a tweaked version of someone elses to be made up.

I'd just buy one of of Creed's pre-bottled scents. They have recently released ones that were made for famous personalities such as Cary Grant and Ava Gardner, in addition to their house blends (so to speak).

I'm reliving some wonderful memories trying remembering some of my "best buys."

Let's see...
From Monoprix: 1) A costume jewelry pearl necklace and earrings which look great even after 7 years of not-so-gentle usage; they even look like the real thing. 2) A citrus scent shower gel (I always stock up when I'm there) for about $1.50 each. 3) Any Bourjois products. 4) An Emile Henri casserole dish for $12. 5) Pant sock/stockings that do not run nor pinch around the band...I could go on and on. Anything I've bought at Monoprix have turned out to be best buys - I love that place.

From the Marché Saint Pierre (not really a market, just rows of fabric stores at the foot of Sacre Coeur): yards and yards of beautiful fabric (e.g., devoré velvet, toile) at a fraction of what it would cost here in NYC.

From Muji: A small, chic looking purse mirror - bought about 10 - they made great gifts. They didn't carry them anymore when I went in November - should have bought more.

I really could go on and on but I won't put you through that. :-)

I second the suggestion for Creed fragrances. You can only get them a few places in the US. I <b>love</b> Spring flower and Fleurissimo!

The men's fragrances are nice, too.

marcy, where can you find Creed fragrances in the States? Thank you.

Saks has them, and there are some sites where you can order them online.

merci beaucoup.

I love french linens. I now have three duvet covers, pillow cases, quilts, lace panels and silk curtains.
I just love them. I have toile and provence sytle colors and prints.

When we purchased our new house last Sept., I already had a trip to Paris planned for November. I put aside money for linens and curtains and it was so much fun.

I like to shop at a store directly accross from Bon Marche. I strangely do not have a clue whar the name is. I stumbled on it once and always return there.

I also bought two oils and three old posters at the Marche Puces that I have in the bedroom and bath.

I love to wake up to my french bedroom each day!!

I found a perfume no longer (widely?)available in the States. The scent brings back old memories, and the experience of visiting this pretty little boutique, and chatting with the salespeople in french created new memories.

The best thing I have from Paris was bought by my boyfriend in Mikimoto shop at Place Vendome, a big pearl , pear shape, in a platinum necklace. Absolutely beautiful!

...years ago when i was a poor student a bought some antique prints (photo lithos)..cheap and even now of little value. however, they started a collection and a hobby which i still enjoy. (JIm, i was delighted to hear that i am not the only collector). i still like to browse through print stores on vacation..they make wonderful souvenirs..Because, it is a hobby i have learned a fair bit so i feel fairly comfortable buying from someone i am not familiar with. i have seen people trying to pass off repros as originals. i also know atique plates have been used recently to make &quot;modern antique&quot; prints. i would suggest a reputable dealer or go with the philosophy that if it doesnt cost very much who cares as long as it brings back memories of a trip.....now if i had only had had enough money to have invested in good pints years age when they were relatively inexpensive!!

Topping this fun post... getting ready for my trip.
~k

Reading some of the posts here, it sounds like designer pieces are a lot cheaper in Paris than they are in the US? (i.e.: Louis Vitton, Gucci ...?)

I was thinking to buy a couple of beautiful purses for my mother and sister.. and me too :)

Sorry h2babe, but with the dollar in its current sorry state the things that used to be cheaper are not any more. It really helps to know the prices here before you buy there on brand names such as LV and Gucci...you may or may not do better, and that was true of LV even when the dollar was good...some styles were, for some reason, more of a buy than others. I'm betting that the savings, if any, will be small. Longchamps is still cheaper there, and maybe some of the other brands could be as well, but not like they used to be. Shopping in Paris has definitely become a lot more expensive these days.

Glad someone topped this thread as I was about to post and see what purchases are still good with the dollar in the state it is.

Longchamp, Baccarat crystal, and???

Sherry 1 - I just got back from Paris a couple of weeks ago and was checking the prices of Lalique crystal and found it to be more expensive there and in the U.S.

Last time I was in Paris 2 1/2 years ago the dollar was a lot stronger and I bought a couple of Limoges boxes at a very good price.

I always stop into the beauty side of a pharmacy (do they have a special name?) to get La Roche Posay lipstick. I discovered it in Italy and adore it. The best lipstick ever- really a nicely tinted lip balm in wondeful shades.

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy Roger and Gallet products? I just fell in love with their Jean Marie Farina fragrance- the scent of the bath products at the Sofitel in Philly (a nice stateside, French-ish experience for a great price- gorgeous marble bathroom with glass shower AND long, deep French-style tub, Frette linens, excellent pastry basket with the cont. breakfast, lots of French-speaking staff, a lady checking in with her dog, etc.)

BlueSwimmer, did you mean here or in Paris for Roger and Gallet? In Paris, they are also sold in the pharmacies. I love their cinnamon-orange shower cream.

SusanP-

I'd love to know where to get them here (DC) or there...I've found Jean Marie Farina online, but I'd love to try more of their products.

Thanks!

ttt