Bagaholicboy Muses #193 – Paris: The Shopping Guide
I’ve been to Paris only once, so I thought it would only be proper to put up this giant disclaimer that whatever that is suggested here is purely personal; what I saw while shopping, where I went and some observations I made.
Champs-Elysées
One of the reasons I wanted to visit Paris was to finally be able to visit the Mothership. Now while that could mean different things to different people, for me it was Louis Vuitton at Champs-Elysées (101 avenue des Champs-Elysées). It’s massive on the inside, floor after floor of delectable delights that came in the form of bags, shoes, RTW, jewellery; it just goes on and on. If you’re a huge fan, you got to go there. If you’re not a fan, it’s still worth a look.
On the same side of the road as Louis Vuitton’s flagship (and just a short walk away) is another hallowed Parisian institution, Ladurée (75, avenue des Champs Elysées). And while the others scattered around the city are much smaller, the one at Champs-Elysées is huge! We were brought upstairs to one of its many dining rooms, each with its own distinct decor and theme. Make it a point to at least have tea there; the experience alone is worth it.
M: George V | RER: Charles De Gaulle
Galeries Lafayette & Printemps
Now everyone has heard of Galeries Lafayette, with its soaring dome and countless brands. Personally I didn’t like it as much, overrun with tourists and feeling pretty much like any mall anywhere in the world. Adjoining Galeries Lafayette is Printemps, a younger, hipper sister of the former filled with many brands from all over the world. Didn’t like it much either, though I may say it was a big hit with the tourists from China who kept coming by the busloads.
But if there was one brand worth checking out here it would be Vanessa Bruno (available at both GL and Printemps) which is like a household name in Paris. Every other Parisian woman we saw would be carrying a variation of her bag, a simple canvas tote adorned with either sequins or beads. Not particularly expensive but oh-so-chic.
M: Havre Caumartin | RER A: Auber
Rue St Honoré
Besides Vanessa Bruno that’s a Parisian staple, the other French brand I saw all over the place was Longchamp. Yes folks, Longchamp (404 Rue St Honoré). And if you think that Longchamp is already affordable in Singapore wait till you get to their stores in Paris. I literally went mad and grabbed loads of Le Pliage, and bought even more when we went back to the same area another day.
Located along Rue St Honoré (think Orchard Road but prettier with quaint apartments on either side), it houses many other brands, from Longchamp to hip multi-label outpost Colette. The entire area is also generally very peaceful, due in part I think to the fact that it takes one quite a while to walk the entire stretch and therefore something tourist groups would rather not waste their time on.
Get off the Metro (Concorde ou Madeleine) and ask for directions. If I recall correctly, you’ll see Longchamp first when approaching this stretch, along with Mulberry (207 Rue St Honoré), Colette (213 Rue St Honoré) and Miu Miu (219 Rue St Honoré) gathered at the far end.
Goyard (233 & 352 Rue St Honoré ) is also located along the same stretch, with not 1, but 2 stores facing each other on either side of the street along with Gucci (350 Rue St Honoré) which is just beside Goyard.
If you are a huge Chanel fan, don’t miss visiting the original store at 31 rue Cambon. It is a landmark in itself and located on an adjacent street along Rue St Honoré. Over at the embassy end (where Hermes and Lanvin are) there is another Chanel store, at 21 Rue St Honoré. In fact, there are 16 different Chanel stores in Paris of which 12 actually sell bags and other 4 focusing on fine jewellery.
M: Concorde ou Madeleine
Faubourg St Honoré
Just a stone’s throw away from Rue St Honoré is Faubourg St Honoré, another cluster of luxury boutiques that’s amongst embassies and government ministries. The flagship Hermès store is here (24 Faubourg St Honoré), as is Lanvin with 2 boutiques (one for men, the other for women at 15 and 22 Faubourg St Honoré respectively), along with other brands like Tod’s and YSL.
M: Concorde ou Madeleine
Avenue Montaigne
Another one of my favourite shopping streets in Paris is Avenue Montaigne, another quiet and peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located in the same area as Champs-Elysées, it is also now considered by some to be more important than Rue St Honoré as a shopping destination. LVMH has many stores here, including Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior and Loewe. Chanel is also here, as is Pucci and countless others.
M: Franklin Roosevelt or Alma-Marceau
Important Points
Something important to take note of. Almost everything is closed on Sunday in Paris, so best you keep that day to do your sight-seeing rounds. Also, while I didn’t experience unfortunate incidents (like being mugged in broad daylight), I’ve heard of some horror stories. The trick here is to blend in and not stand out. In other words, if you’re buying a big-ticket item which will come in a huge paper bag (and attract lots of attention), consider taking a taxi back to your hotel instead.
If you’re buying loads of smaller items, pack them into your tote (get the huge Le Pliage ones at Longchamp). And because the Metro and RER is a complicated mess of tunnels that may require lots of walking underground to get from point to point, consider using them as a mode of transport only in the mornings, afternoons and early evenings.
For meals we would usually grab a sandwich and a drink from any of the many French bistros scattered all over the city, find a quaint location (usually on the steps of some church) and share our meal with persistent pigeons. Or we would grab ready-meals from Galeries Lafayette’s food mall or have dinner at bistro near our hotel (which was away from town) and therefore more affordable.
That’s it folks (or really, all I can recall at this point of time).
And enjoy Paris. It is truly a magnificent city.
Images: Bagaholicboy
SAVIOUR!
This is the best shopping guide ever. I wish I can go someday! thanks for putting this together.
It ain’t the best for sure… just something personal and what I liked in terms of shopping in Paris.
Excellent shopping guide, Alvin! Did I tell you I haven’t entered the Mothership?
Sacrilege!
It looked intimidating!
hey how much is the longchamp le pliage (large long handles) there?
If you want to buy longchamp le pliage, it would be better to head to La Vallee (Take RER from Paris at Val d’Europe) because there’s every variety possible, not to mention a lot cheaper. It’s only around 26E (or maybe 28E) for size 2, compared to SGD 200++ in Singapore
I went to La Vallee, but I thought the selection and prices there were awful which is why I didn’t list it down as a shopping destination.
Thanks for sharing BB.. All I have to do now is to find my directions from my hotel to those addresses on google map.
I was told by a SA at LV Singapore that SA’s at Louis Vuitton, Champs-Elysées are stuck-up… How was your shopping experience there?
And I also was told by a French woman that Chinese have to queue to get in LV… true?
Honestly I heard those rumours too. The queues are there, but only at Galeries Lafayette which is due to the busloads of tourists. No such problem at all for me at Avenue Montaigne and Champs-Elysées. The French SAs are not rude, just aloof. Just be warm, friendly and firm.
I didn’t think the SAs were stuck up at all. In fact, they recognized me when I went in there from the second time onwards. But it could be because I spoke French to them throughout…
As for the queuing, PRCs are only entitled to two bags per passport, but they do not have to queue up to enter, just like everyone else.
been to Paris twice. didn’t enter LV and didn’t like Printemps and Galleries Lafayette.
I heard Colette is good, though. I got lost trying to look for it and in the end, I gave up. LOL!
So, are we going to see each other this fall?
wow thanks BB for the tips, keep ‘em coming! i’m heading there in December this year. GL to me, hahah..
Merci!
Hi, will like to ask if anyone has experience – when u buy bags from the luxury brands. They would offer to send the items to ur hotel. Is it safe?
Hasn’t happened to me yet. Anyone else can answer this query?
Just to shed some light on this issue, yup the stores provide concierge service for your shopping back to the hotel.
Oops forgot to add it’s trustworthy at least at LV and Hermes, the bags arrived by the time I returned to the hotel.
I would prefer to just collect on my own actually. I’ve carried those huge paper bags from LV before… there was once I carried 4 (was helping friends to buy as well)… but I didn’t get mugged or anything when I took the metro back.
Thanks for the info. Im going this june with my mom and would be buying several bags. Thus would like to find out more.
http://bagaholicboy.com/2010/05/bagaholicboy-muses-193-i-miss-paris-the-shopping-guide/
It’s great that you included some safety tips! I personally have witnessed a woman’s bag being snatched while we were standing at a traffic light junction, waiting to cross the road to get to Printemps.
Also,when we took train back from Switzerland at late night, we were warned not to wonder around in the station, but should take a cab and head straight to our hotel.
Yes, always be alert at all times and be aware of what is going on around us…
i think its very very important to have situation awareness AT ALL TIMES when we are abroad travelling. not all cities are like sg’s – clean and safe.
and the sales people in SG are rude and annoying…
Now that’s not a fair statement to be making. Not everyone SA is rude and annoying. Just like how not every customer is polite and deserving.
If my memory serves me right, when I was a kid in the 80s, I went shopping with my mom at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps almost every weekend after my piano lessons. In Singapore, of course. At Liat Towers. Anyone remember that?
Thanks BB for the great info! I’m falling in love with laurdee already!!
Hi BB, just wanted to share some tidbits from my recent trip: L’eclaireur and Louis Quatorze. The former is a multi-brand emporium with five boutiques scattered throughout the city. Think of it as a darker, edgier Colette. Plenty of distressed leather bags, wallets and shoes (a very Parisian aesthetic). http://www.leclaireur.com
The latter is a new-ish brand of bags and small leather goods (established last year, I think) and is big in Korea for some reason. The colourful bags displayed in the shop window caught my eye while on a ramble in Le Marais. http://www.louisquatorzeparis.fr
Thanks for sharing Aaron!
Hi BB,
Sorry for splattering my replies on this page. Just thought I would share some info since I stayed in Paris for a while.
1.
Rue st Honore (and rue Fbg st Honore)is definitely one of the best streets for shopping! I think I took quite some time to explore Goyard, Mandarina Duck, Chanel, Versace, Hermes, YSL, Bottega Veneta etcetc
One place I discovered by accident at the Madeline area was Galarie Commerciale Les Trois Quartiers. (very near Chanel) There’s one shopping “mall” solely for guys, and one solely for women.
2. Le Marais
Well, this place is mostly for eclectic artwork.. but you could still pick up some great pieces, and have some crepes (with cider!) at the infamous Breizh.
3. St Germain des Pres
Brands include Kookai, Comptoir des Cotonniers (a very big hit with Parisiens), etc. It’s the oldest district in Paris, so ask around for the oldest street!
4. Saint-Ouen Flea Market
If you have time, just take a walk around for vintage finds!
5. La Vallee
Outlet shopping village. Take the RER from Paris (Zone 1 or 2) to Val d’Europe (Zone 6).
Another thing you could do without bursting your pocket is go for a 3 course meal at the restaurant at eiffel tower called 58 tour eiffel. It costs 22.50E in the day, so it’s really nice to be seeing the whole of Paris while having your meal up there!
Thanks so much!
I miss Paris too… Guess what luck I had… First time I went there.. my friend was nursing a broken heart. The second time I went there (about a month ago), Louis Vuitton on Champs-Elysees was CLOSED!!! YES CLOSED!! Because it was a Public Holiday – MAY DAY!!! Actually pretty much all the shops were closed except for restuarants and shops selling cars on Champs-Elysee!
I was SO upset coz I really wanted to get something, think my face was so black..haaha.. anyway another friend of mine and I went to Laduree and had lunch there. It was the most expensive lunch I ever had.. but heck worth every penny!
Anyways hopefully next year am planning to go Paris with my mom and well like they say third time is the charm. Hope you’ll head down to Paris soon too.
I am going to Paris next mth. Do you know any good cheap hotels that is nearby the shopping street.
And which street are you referring too please?
Maybe along Champs-Elysées or Rue St Honoré
The advantage of shopping at Galeries Lafayette is the on the spot cash rebate of the VAT. Though the rebate is less at 10.8%, it relieves you the hassle of completing the VAT at the airport (crazy when there’s a queue and you got a flight to catch) and no more 2 months wait to get the rebate.
BB, great post on Shopping in Paris and thanks for sharing. And thank you to those who chime in and contribute. Gonna bookmark this page!!!
Hey BB, have a safe trip! and I will refer to this guide for my trip next year (amen).
if i could add to this… the marais area is also very nice to visit… very different from the tourist sites you suggested…
Angelina at rue de rivoli is a great place to dine… and it’s near rue st honore… great croissants & hot chocolate… plus some other take home delicacies to remind you of paris!
Thanks for your entry MIchelle, much appreciated. I love Angelina too, their Mont Blanc was to die for!
Hi BB, I’ve been to Paris every summer for the past 4 years now. Point to note when going out shopping is always zip up your bag, keep it close to you and take out your wallet only for transactions the counter. Else keep cash or change in your pockets.
If you drive, park at open areas and leave nothing in the car, if you have to keep it in the trunk. I got my big mango colored luggage bag stolen from the rental car but they left behind the two expensive leather jackets behind! Go figure!