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Anyone familiar with Paris for shopping?

36 replies

QueenMaeve · 18/04/2013 11:22

I'm heading to Paris in 2 weeks, dh has promised me some dc free time so I can shop. Can anyone recommend any good French High Street stores or what areas are good to shop in? I would love to buy some nice bits and pieces but my budget isn't Chanel prices. Grin Any suggestions are welcomed,even homeware or children's wear I would like to look at.

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SirToffeeDoris · 18/04/2013 11:26

I have been once for a few days at the end of last year, so am a self acclaimed expert.

Go here, sniff. Lovely! Actually, the whole of that area is a very nice place to wander around, window shopping. More actually, I'd like to live there.

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missmartha · 18/04/2013 11:30

Go to Boulevard Haussmann, which has the two biggest department stores in Paris, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

Monoprix is good too, google for a Monoprix near where you are staying.

BHV isn't bad either, especially for odds and ends, plus they have a really nice and cheap eating place on the top floor.

Full of Parisians, unlike the rip off tourist traps.

All these are easy to reach on the Metro.

Happy shopping.

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 11:47

Rue de Rivoli is Paris Oxford Street equivalent, including the good and the bad. For more expensive window shopping rue Saint Honoré is lovely.
Rue Montorgeuil has soe lovely food shops and intesting clothes shops are nearby too.

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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 12:03

I'd stick with St Germain des pres if you only have one afternoon.

SirToffee yes lovely area for galleries/antiques/homewares.

Also walk back to the place St Germain and up rue de Rennes. On the left is a nice block to St sulpice with gorgeous homewares shops.
On the right through rue du vieux colombier you move towards rue de sevres & rue de cherche midi.(lots of boutiques) and the Bon Marche which is a smaller department store but with a very "pointu" selection and the best gourmet supermarket.

from there walk accross to rue st placide for good value homewares and kids clothes.
Kids clothes very good in monoprix too.

Ahhhhh! Enjoy!

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suebfg · 18/04/2013 12:04

I like the St Germain area for small boutiques.

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QueenMaeve · 18/04/2013 12:07

Thank you all so much, really appreciate the tips! Just worried now that all the clothes will be tiny. Or is that very stereotypical of me!

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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 12:07

The Marais/Franc bourgeois/vieille du temple & place des victoires/Palais royal is also gorgeous but more "niche"

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 12:15

St Germain des Pres, rue de Rennes and the Blvd St Germain down towards Saint Michel is a good suggestion. Window shopping to drool at and high street stuff too.

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 12:18

In the expensive shops there will be lots of tiny clothes. The High Street shops are a little more forgiving

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polyhymnia · 18/04/2013 12:30

Often go to Paris and can't improve on masters suggestions. Definitely don't miss St Germain area for browsing.

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santamarianovella · 18/04/2013 13:44

my parents live there and i visit quite often,just got back.

for kids:
i go to monoprix their clothes are very well made.
alice a paris is a must. lovely kids stuff and not too pricy

i think most of the french brands like(sandro,APC,bruno)are available in the UK.

i would stay away of department stores,as i dont find them as organized as the one here,printemps is great but too big.
rue de grenelle,st germain,are good for shopping from designers to high street stores.
stay away of champs elysees,its not paris!

i highly recommend palais royal,i dont shop there but its has a very unique mix of shops,its one of the most beautiful places in all of paris.

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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 14:15

I would actually take the kids to walk around the louvre esplanade and through jardins de l'orangerie towards concorde and pont Alexandre.
Beautifull walk and you could leave DH to ay with DC in the orangerie will you take an hour in the galleries du Palais royal.

Then meet them on rue de rivoli in Angelina for the most indulgent ever hot chocolat and Mont blanc! They will love you! Trust me.

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pinkhousesarebest · 18/04/2013 14:49

...or leave dh and kids in the playground in the jardins de Luxembourg. Then just nip up the road to St Germain.

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Branleuse · 18/04/2013 14:54
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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 14:55

See, you can fit in 2 shopping trips. Easy!

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pinkhousesarebest · 18/04/2013 14:56

Alice à Paris is lovely. My dd has loads of their little smocks. I also like Cyrillus if you hunt around a bit. We used to live in Paris and I loved the parapharmacie on the Rue du Four as it was really cheap: So cheap it had a security guard:

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 15:06

What shops do you like in the UK OP ?

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santamarianovella · 18/04/2013 15:07

OP i forgot to mention that no trip to paris is complete without a visit to a pharmacy,i buy alot of bioderma products and stock up on nuxe anti fatigue serum,and masks.
i second angelina .
OP if you need any other suggestions im more than happy to help.

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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 15:12

Ohhh the pharma rue du four!

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 15:16

I used to live on rue Bonaparte. Has that pharmacy always been that big? I don't remember it. This was 15 years ago though.

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MasterOfTheYoniverse · 18/04/2013 15:18

It was definitely there. Lived there 92-99 and it was The first one of the kind.

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Nicolaeus · 18/04/2013 15:29

Where are you staying? Lots of good suggestions here. If you're stating in the west try rue de passy (metro 6 passy). Its got monoprix and lots of boutiques as well as little chain shops that are like boutiques iyswim. No galerie Lafayette though.

Having said that, I like galerie lafayette IF its not in Paris. The one in Paris (opera) drives me nuts as its too big and too crammed with tourists (loads of coach tours stop there). I hate shopping and its definitely an unpleasant experience.

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SofaCanary · 18/04/2013 15:33

Can I come? Envy

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PetiteRaleuse · 18/04/2013 15:41

Wow I honestly don't remember it. I moved there in 98 and was in Paris for almost ten years and would have walked past it often. Daily when I was living on that street. I see exactly where it is, but I don't think I ever went inside. Am v Angry with self for having missed out.

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Lurleene · 18/04/2013 16:16

If you go in Monoprix check out the toileteries.When I go there I buy lots of La Petite Marseillaise items which are absolutely dirt cheap, such as 1 euro for a lip balm, but similar to L'Occitane. Just as lovely but a tenth of the price!

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