Where are the great bargains in Paris??
Jun 24th, 2006, 06:23 PM
#22
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No wonder Monoprix is so crowded. It appears that we all shop there.
Mimo, some are much larger (huge) than others and have delis, groceries, bakeries etc.. plus all of the other things mentioned here.
DH still has and wears some black tee shirts that he bought from them years ago.
BHV's hardware basement is always on our list. We love it there and can wander around for several hours buying small signs, wine paraphenalia, etc..
Have a snack at their Bricolage Cafe in the basement. The rest of the store is very nice. Check out their drawer knobs. Great reminders of Paris. I think they are on the 2nd floor (??) with the bathroom fixtures. We have brought home TP and paper towel holders, tools for DH that are much cheaper there than here. One trip we even bought three spring loaded door closers.
Another great place for unusual and relatively inexpensive gifts, is Pylones. They have three stores in Paris. We usually end up at the one on St. Louis. They have a wide assortment of things, pens, baby bibs, cups. toys, umbrellas, and so much more. All in very festive colors. We've been shopping there for years and always find something new on each visit.
Our Shih Tzu puppy Monsieur Zebulon (Zebby) is eating and drinking from two really cute cat (!) face bowls that we bought at Pylones in October. We think it's cute - hey what does he know, he's only 10 months old.;-)
Tea towels make great gifts, for yourself or others. All of the above stores carry them, although they are more expensive at BHV.
We bought a metro map tea towel at Pylones for about $10.00.
Nina
Mimo, some are much larger (huge) than others and have delis, groceries, bakeries etc.. plus all of the other things mentioned here.
DH still has and wears some black tee shirts that he bought from them years ago.
BHV's hardware basement is always on our list. We love it there and can wander around for several hours buying small signs, wine paraphenalia, etc..
Have a snack at their Bricolage Cafe in the basement. The rest of the store is very nice. Check out their drawer knobs. Great reminders of Paris. I think they are on the 2nd floor (??) with the bathroom fixtures. We have brought home TP and paper towel holders, tools for DH that are much cheaper there than here. One trip we even bought three spring loaded door closers.
Another great place for unusual and relatively inexpensive gifts, is Pylones. They have three stores in Paris. We usually end up at the one on St. Louis. They have a wide assortment of things, pens, baby bibs, cups. toys, umbrellas, and so much more. All in very festive colors. We've been shopping there for years and always find something new on each visit.
Our Shih Tzu puppy Monsieur Zebulon (Zebby) is eating and drinking from two really cute cat (!) face bowls that we bought at Pylones in October. We think it's cute - hey what does he know, he's only 10 months old.;-)
Tea towels make great gifts, for yourself or others. All of the above stores carry them, although they are more expensive at BHV.
We bought a metro map tea towel at Pylones for about $10.00.
Nina
Jun 24th, 2006, 07:58 PM
#23
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WE loved Paris - but for decent shopping we had to hop on a train and go to Brugge - really, after a week of frustration in Paris looking at stuff that was obviously overpriced or just plain junk, my daughters came to me exhausted after a day in Brugge having found exactly what they wanted at resonalbe prices, and demanded of me, Dad, why didn't we come here first? Again, not complaining, we loved Paris, but the shopping did not impress.
Question: My wife actually found a very nice scarf at a price no dept store could match at a street market. Why hasn't anyone esle mentioned street markets?
Question: My wife actually found a very nice scarf at a price no dept store could match at a street market. Why hasn't anyone esle mentioned street markets?
Jun 24th, 2006, 09:26 PM
#24
A collection of slightly more original shops -- even open on Sunday -- can be found at Bercy Village (www.bercyvillage.com) at metro Cour Saint Emilion. Résonances is particularly popular for kitchen and bathroom items, Andaska has a lot of travel items, Nature & Découvertes has a lot of natural products, and there is also a Séphora and a FNAC Eveil & Jeux (for children's items), as well as a handicraft store. And even the Club Med World complex has some interesting things in their shop.
Jun 24th, 2006, 09:40 PM
#25
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A friend just returned from Paris with honey for souvenirs that she bought at La Maison du Miel, 24 rue Vignon - nearest metro stop is Madeleine. She said the packets were so appreciated by friends that she is mail-ordering more to give away. Not only unique but could be purchased to represent any part of France. I don't know about cost but I think she is pretty frugal...FWIW
Jun 25th, 2006, 12:11 AM
#27
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I like the small north African shops fifty meters west of the Gare du Nord, and similar shops in small roads south of the Gare de l’Est. I bought gloves, handkerchiefs, and a walking stick there for my own use. You might need to buy gift wrapping, too, to gain the effect you want.
Ben Haines, Lobdon
[email protected]
Ben Haines, Lobdon
[email protected]
Jun 25th, 2006, 02:46 AM
#28
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The street markets are great for scarves, handbags, all kinds of food, foie gras (tinned, to bring home). Richard Lenoir market is excellent. I like museum shops for interesting post-it pads. The stationery sections of department stores or individual stores have beautiful writing items. Olive oil, mustards, chocolate,food from the supermarche on the corner--or Monoprix.
Jun 26th, 2006, 06:30 AM
#31
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We, too, shopped at Monoprix. Loved it. I also still love the "fake pashmina" that I bought from the street for about 6 euro. My girls bought t-shirts from the street stalls - they are actually nice, fitted shirts with cap sleeves, rather than baggy t-shirts.
I was in Paris in 1985 when the dollar was so strong...but I was so poor!
I was in Paris in 1985 when the dollar was so strong...but I was so poor!
Jun 26th, 2006, 06:05 PM
#33
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nho, the Monoprix on Av de l'Opera has a deli and cheese counter, as well as a wide range of prepackaged deli meats and cheeses. I almost missed the counter because it's tucked all the way in the back! Go down the stairs to the main part of the market, and instead of turning right into the fresh veggie area, turn 180 degrees. Walk past the up-escalator and all the way to the back. BTW, it's pretty cold in there - the whole back area is refridgerated. 
Jun 26th, 2006, 07:00 PM
#34
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The shop at the old (not new) Bibliotheque National has great and unusual paper items. I see a little paper booklet that I bought my very style conscious brother there years ago, still on his coffee table. Very inexpensive.
And the Fleur de Sel from the Ille de Re (oh god, no French spelling skills) that I buy at Fauchon is a HUGE hit with anyone I give it to.
And the Fleur de Sel from the Ille de Re (oh god, no French spelling skills) that I buy at Fauchon is a HUGE hit with anyone I give it to.
Jun 26th, 2006, 11:27 PM
#35
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Maybe I missed something, but we stayed in Brugges for a week a few years ago and I (the consumate shopper) don't remember seeing any fabulous bargains. Although we did get some lovely lace at a decent price. We brought home a lamp from the 4500 square foot lighting store (not to be missed if you love light fixtures and lamps, as we do, and would have brought home more if we could have fitted it in our luggage.
In Paris, I always buy scarves from the street vendors. I don't know if they are really bargains, but the prices are very cheap.
On my first trip to Paris many years ago, I bought a scarf from a street vendor as a gift for my girlfriend. She was thrilled that I had brought her a something from Paris .... then she read the label 'made in India'. Good friend that she is, she was still thrilled that it came from Paris.
We too buy small jars of honey from the various street markets, but selfish as we are..... we keep them for ourselves ;-)
Nina
In Paris, I always buy scarves from the street vendors. I don't know if they are really bargains, but the prices are very cheap.
On my first trip to Paris many years ago, I bought a scarf from a street vendor as a gift for my girlfriend. She was thrilled that I had brought her a something from Paris .... then she read the label 'made in India'. Good friend that she is, she was still thrilled that it came from Paris.
We too buy small jars of honey from the various street markets, but selfish as we are..... we keep them for ourselves ;-)
Nina
Jun 27th, 2006, 05:35 AM
#37
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You can also try Mariage Freres, who have some nice upscale tea emporiums.
http://www.mariagefreres.com/
http://www.mariagefreres.com/
Jun 27th, 2006, 09:45 AM
#38
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..just to reiterate no bargoons but I did find some lovely handmade necklaces on my last trip. very good value for $ and unique. I think I paid about $80; these constitute my Xmas shopping for my nieces.
Jun 27th, 2006, 02:11 PM
#39
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I don't know if I should post this as a new thread, but where can one buy the old art posters announcing openings and shows that are in windows all over town? The bookshop on rue DAuphine used to sell these used posters, but no longer. I looked in every poster shop we saw, but found only brand new posters. These are my son's favorite gift from Paris!
