lreynold1

I have been walking in France for the last two weeks, having just today crossed into Spain. For a lot of that time, we were walking in Armagnac country, and I was sad to learn that no store or company will ship armagnac to the U.S. I didnīt want to carry a 3 pound bottle of armagnac in my backpack, so I was unable to buy it. But I might have one more chance. In about 10 days when I stop walking, I am going to take a train from Spain overnight into Paris Austerlitz. I will then walk to the Gare de Lyon to hop on the Air France bus to CDG. I have a little bit of wiggle room, since my train will arrive at 8:30 and my plane doesnīt leave till 2:30. If there is anyone who knows Paris well (or who has a good guide/phonebook), here is my plea: Can you direct me to a good Cave/liquor store in close proximity to where I will be that morning, so that I can pick up a bottle or two of Armagnac? (I think that a detour of up to a 10-15 minute walk would be ok). I will need pretty good, explicit directions, though, since my knowledge of this part of Paris is not good, nor is my French. Many many thanks.
And p.s., when Iīm back in the states, if anyone wants to hear about my walking trip, and how to do it on your own, Iīd be happy to post some tips. Thanks again.

ira

Dear LR,

If you don't post a trip report, we shall all be very disappointed.

At www.pagesjaunes.fr, I found

Les Vins Guy Jeunemaitre
24 r Rendez Vous
It is near the Place Nation, close to the Picpus Metro stop, about 2.5km from Gare de Lyon. They have Armagnac

Also

Le Champagne
12 r Parrot, about 0.4km from Gare de Lyon. They say they have spirits from around the world, but don't specifically say Armagnac.

Also

Caves de Reuilly
11 bd Reuilly, about 1.7km from Gare de Lyon, but I'm not sure that they have Armagnac.

There is also Anthocyanes, at the same address.

Hope this helps.

SuzieC

The duty free shop at CDG?

PalQ

There is a wine store at Austerlitz station, but on the outside - just near the consigne - left-luggage lockers - though it doesn't look like one on the outside it sells wines and treats from the area Austerlitz serves - southwestern France. But yes CDG has wine stores both inside and outside of customs. Duty free ain't much of a savings on French wine since it's not highly taxed.

lreynold1

Thanks so much for those suggestions. I will try the shop at the Austerlitz station first, and then also make my way to Le Champagne, on rue Parrot. I would rather not have to make my purchases at the duty free, just because my experience has been that the brands are exactly the same as what I can buy in the US. On other trips, when Iīve had more time in Paris, Iīve made a trip to La Cave du Pantheon (right near the Pantheon), where Iīve bought some "award winning" (or so the bottles said) cognacs and armagnacs that arenīt exported. Not that Iīm a wine snob, but if Iīm going to lug it home, I want it to be something that I canīt find in my local liquor store.
I will probably be able to find internet access a couple of more times, so if anyone else has ideas, the more the merrier. Tomorrow, we walk into Pamplona, and from then on through smaller towns for the next week or so. If you like walking through beautiful countryside and visiting old towns where a tour bus has never darkened the doorway, donīt mind lugging a backpack, and can stand sleeping in a room with twenty other adults, most of whom snore, youīll LOVE this. Iīm addicted myself. Once again, I really appreciate the suggestions, you guys are great.

PalQ

Austerlitz station is currently in the throes of a much need renovation and this store could have been upended as the station's commercial area is being completely redone. Austerlitz station has even been closed on some weekends recently, with trains diverted to Gare de Lyon. So though it was there in December last when i was there it may be gone now.

Kate_W

My "Paris en Bouteilles" recommends Les Ultra Vins, 16 rue Lacuée at Metro Bastille, tel 01 43468581. The description says that it has the largest cellar in the arrondissement.

To figure out how to get there, go onto the www.ratp.fr website, and plug in the coordinates for Gare d'Austerlitz and the address of the wineshop. It will give you an itinerary and maps for each step in the journey. According to my research, you could catch a No. 91 bus in the direction Lyon Ledru-Rollin for a 9-minute journey to rue Lacuée, and then a one-minute walk.

lreynold1

I just had a thought that might foil these well laid plans. Does anyone know what time these stores are likely to open? If itīs as late as 10, Iīm kind of out of luck. Thanks for all the help.