Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

MNers living in France - I need you favourite internet shopping ideas, please..

60 replies

stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 15:17

I am fed up with paying UK prices + postage for presents for DB, SIL and DN (and soon DN2 who is on the way) so I am looking for some good French sites. Amazon.fr is very limited, and I think I have done to death flowers from aquarelle.com

What are your favourire sites for stuff (pressies) for you, your DP and your DC? I need to find birthday presents for all three and a baby present when DN2 arrives...

TIA.

OP posts:
stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 15:17

the sites don't have to be in English, BTW - more than happy to shop in French.

OP posts:
stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 16:06

Bump - I know you are out there somewhere

OP posts:
bossykate · 07/09/2007 16:12

have you googled? out of curiousity i just put "cadeaux" in and got a few things back. what about recommendations in the french press and magazines? there are french mnetters here as you know so perhaps they will be along soon.

Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 16:22

FNAC Eveil & Jeux has a site - children's books and toys. I don't use it as I have the shop just down the road.

Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 16:23

FNAC - my partner uses it a lot for boys' toys.

stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 16:33

FNAC - of course - Thanks Anna. Any ideas for nice stuff for SIL (birthday and when DN2 arrives)?

Bossykate I have tried googling but find it a lot harder to sort the rubbish/potential cons from the good stuff than I would with UK sites - hence the request for recommendations!

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 16:44

I'm afraid that living in central Paris I have lots of yummy shops on the doorstep and tend to prefer to go shopping myself

Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 16:49

www.bonton.fr - BonTon is my very favourite children's clothes' shop. V V expensive though

ib · 07/09/2007 16:50

I've used baby walz

www.mondebio.com

castille · 07/09/2007 17:04

Du Pareil au Meme have a few nice toys and teddies for babies. The English translation of their site is terrible though - use the French version!

AM.PM and SO'HOME (both by La Redoute) have some nice objets and linens for grown-up gifts.

But there aren't as many online stores here, I find it annoying at Christmas when I want to get all my presents online and am aways forced to brave the crowds at some point!

stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 18:02

Some great ideas, Thank you all.

Anna - this is the problem, although they are not in Paris - everything I see in the UK I end up thinking "but you could buy it nicer/cheaper/both in small, independent shops in France" and not getting it - DNiece is heavily into Playmobil but that is massively more expensive in the UK!

Are the grown-up smellies from MondeBio nice - that looks like a good bet for SIL.

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 18:11

A good one - www.loccitane.com

francagoestohollywood · 07/09/2007 18:13

hijacks
omg bonton.fr I want to buy everything

Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 18:25

Franca - send a link to your mamma or to your DH's mamma?? I used to have a great system for getting my DD's grandmother to shop there...

stealthsquiggle · 07/09/2007 19:39

I may succumb to bonton temptation if SIL says DNiece(s) would like clothes for bday/christmas

L'Occitane for SIL. Of course [duh].

FNAC for DB. Sorted

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 19:51

I bought the Bonton little sticking out cotton skirt with two pockets for my DD (in grey) last Saturday - looks fantastic with a long-sleeved t-shirt

francagoestohollywood · 07/09/2007 21:14

both mum and mil are useless with the internet...
... I'll have to do everything on my own...

Anna8888 · 07/09/2007 21:29

Come to Paris and we can go to the shop it's heaven...

francagoestohollywood · 07/09/2007 21:51

I'm tempted, there's a direct flight from exeter to paris...

ggglimpopo · 07/09/2007 22:01

very Bordelaise but they have some sweet, trés BCBG bits that look very cool mixed with less classic stuff. The baby stuff would make a great present

francagoestohollywood · 07/09/2007 22:07

how's the hair ggg?

Othersideofthechannel · 08/09/2007 07:20

I bought some lovely children's presents from kockicko.com last Christmas

Anna8888 · 08/09/2007 08:45

Franca - hop on that plane, it's just the best time of year for shopping right now . In fact, I think DD and I will do a spot of shopping this afternoon - after we've gone on the big wheel they've just erected at Place de la Concorde. She's desperate to go on it after seeing Angelina Ballerina go on one with Henry on DVD....

francagoestohollywood · 08/09/2007 18:31

at you in place de la concorde. however, today was the most beautiful day of the entire year and we went to the beach . I'd love to go to Paris...

francagoestohollywood · 08/09/2007 18:32

(most beautiful day weatherwise)