If you have to buy things less than 10 things in Paris, let me give you some suggestions 🙂
1. A designer bag– French, of course!
Louis Vuitton springs to mind 🙂
Fall/ Winter 2011- 2012 frame bag |
Or if you want something that’s not as “mainstream” or logo- a- gogo, go with Lanvin
Such a pretty bag!! |
If you have the budget of a Chanel classic flap but want something a little extra, a little different, go with Celine. Not just a regular Celine luggage tote, a Celine envelope tote in ultra- luxe python!
One of the most remarkable bags I’ve ever seen! |
If you don’t want to spend so much on designer bags, I recommend getting a bag from Longchamp 🙂 Fairly affordable and unquestionably French!
Lancel is also another French brand which has been producing some cute drawstring bucket bags of late 🙂
2. If you have a thing for shoes, may I suggest Roger Vivier
Something quirky with the signature Vivier buckle please! |
Or something from Hermes since Hermes is also very French 🙂
Very comfy slip- ons |
YSL is French too, so get your YSL Tributes in Paris. I’ve recently succumbed to buying one *I’ve resisted this for the loooongest time* and am surprised they’re comfortable.
If you’re not into heels though, visit Repetto to get their famous ballet flats 🙂 Their main shop is on Rue de la Paix– Metro stop: Opera. It’s just a short walk from the metro Opera exit.
3. Should you go sightseeing, make the Eiffel Tower (the “symbol” of Paris) your first stop! And don’t forget to pick up a souvenir or two with the Eiffel Tower in/on it 🙂 *Tip: You get a superb view of the Eiffel Tower on the Trocadero. Great for photos! Metro stop: Trocadero*
As my friend and editor Mel Cuevas calls it, Adult Silly bandz 🙂 They’re available in most souvenir shops around Paris! |
4. While in Paris, don’t forget to have some chocolates and macarons
I prefer macarons from Ladureé *Champs Elysees or along Saint Honoré- Metro stop: Madeleine or Place dela Concorde*, Pierre Hermé (along Rue Cambon. Metro stop: Place de la Concorde, exit Rue Cambon), or from this Japanese patisserie called Sadaharu Aoki (at Galleries Lafayette. Metro stop: Havre Caumartin)
5. To take home for friends and family, more sweets!
Bon Maman Madeleines, Pierre Hermé Pates de Fruits, nougat, and Reynaud almond drageés |
You can find Bon Maman Madeleines at Monoprix Supermarket (I recommend a visit to a big Monoprix store– I was even able to buy cheap clothes there one summer– everything was on crazy sale :D)
If you prefer savoury over sweet, you can buy a LOT of cheese (if you have time, I would highly recommend a visit to the fromageries at Les Halles. Metro stop: Les Halles *be extra careful with your wallet there*), or if you’re lactose intolerant, go for these–
Smoked duck breast and *holds my breath because of PETA*, paté de foie gras (foie gras is not for everyone though) |
6. While in Paris, you also cannot not visit museums! The Mona Lisa at the Louvre is a must- see. You should also visit Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. Have a photo taken by the Arc de Triomphe too! And get yourself a souvenir with all those Parisian landmarks 🙂
A pouch would be handy enough! |
Oh while we’re on the subject of sightseeing, you should also take a boat ride on the Bateaux Mouche at night by the River Seine to see the beauty of the city at night– don’t get the cruise that comes with dinner (that’s a rip off. seriously, the food is terrible). Metro stop for the Bateaux Mouche: Alma- Marceau.
7. Don’t forget to leave Paris without at least a bottle of perfume!
This perfume by Kenzo smells nice 🙂 |
I also recommend Caron and L’Artisan Perfumes (a personal favorite) if you fancy something less “commercially available”. *Check out shops along Le Marais– they have a L’Artisan shop along Rue de Francs-Bourgeois. Metro stop: Saint Paul. You can also visit Caron along Avenue Montaigne– metro stop: Franklin Roosevelt or Alma- Marceau*
So far, those are the top must- buys for me. First visit to Paris or frequent traveler, don’t fail to pick up any one of those on the list! I know I don’t 😀
Hope this was of help to you peeps. Or if you have more suggestions on what to buy, do leave a comment so I can add to this list 🙂
x
TheBagHag
That’s a lovely post!
I lived 4 years in PAris and I now I live 1 hour away:) All the things you said are such a good description of shopping in Paris:)
Such a beautiful post!
I loved 4 years in Paris and now I live 1 hour away from Paris.
Al the things you wrote are such a good description of shopping in Paris:)
http://www.pelininstyle.com
For me, the Pierre Herme branch to visit is the Rue de Vaugirard branch, Metro station, Volontaires, if I remember correctly. That branch has the pastries! Yum.
And although I am personally not into wine, I think that’s a must-buy. 🙂
http://dontaskmetosmile.wordpress.com
LOL away from temptation please!!! I chose the smaller shop to stay away from those pastries!!!
Wine is great, but oh a pain to carry home!!! *ack!*
I wish I were as disciplined as you. When I go back to Paris (this July, fingers crossed) that PH branch is on my list. That Pain Au Chocolat is haunting me ’til this day. Also, I’m planning to do a Pierre Herme vs Laduree series for my blog. My waistline is already expanding just thinking about it. Haha.
True about the wine. Every time I bring wine home (and I always bring home some from my dad if I come from a wine country like Italy or South Africa), I feel my bag right away at the conveyor if it’s wet in case the wine spilled. And I open my luggage in the trunk of the car before we even leave the airport, just to be sure.
http://dontaskmetosmile.wordpress.com
Great post! The hubby, kids and I will be in Paris this April! First timers in Europe! I have been scouring your blog and doing a copy – paste of the Italy and France entries. Heeheehee!
cute entry!
The Longchamp bag on the left is LOVE. I think, one of the prettiest Longchamp that I saw.
definitely a good idea to have this kind of list….at least by the time i would be able to visit paris one day ill refer to ur list…..thanks for keeping us up to date….ive been following your blog, fb and twitter i find it exciting and refreshing i get to feel like im travelling just by reading your adventures….
Wow! I love those cute Eiffel Tower bracelets! I didn’t see them when I was in Paris (back in 2006 pa kasi! haha).
MUST GO BACK! 😀 Love this post! 😀
Reading this makes me want to go to Paris. Now..if I could have someone to sponsor me. LOL! 🙂
Lovely post. Hope to see Paris this summer (it will be my first). I have 3 in mind only: A French designer bag, Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa.
Thanks so much for this post! So helpful if I push through with my trip to Paris in July 🙂 Where can we get the smoked duck breast and foie gras, just any supermarket? I love scouring the groceries/supermarkets for things one can’t get back home. I bought Rosti, Knorr Arromat and brought home bottles of Rivella from Zurich! ;D
Thanks so much for this post! So helpful if I push through with my trip to Paris in July 🙂 Where can we get the smoked duck breast and foie gras, just any supermarket? I love scouring the groceries/supermarkets for things one can’t get back home. I bought Rosti and Knorr Arromat and brought home bottles of Rivella from Zurich! ;D
Thanks for making your list. I’m bookmarking it so I can refer to it. I have an ultimate dream to go to Europe and shop in Paris!
my family will be goin to paris this comin november,and ill have this all in my mind 🙂 thanks baghag
Thank you for posting this list, now I have so many ideas when I visit Paris in August!
Enjoy Paris!! So much more to write about when it comes to souvenirs!! 🙂