From vintage buys at the Marché aux Puces (flea market) to the lastest creations of Yves Saint Laurent, Paris is a shopper's delight, provided you have a pocketful of francs (preferably large denominations, because la vie à Paris est très chère!)

CURRENCY

Before you go on your shopping spree, get familiar with French currency.
Do you know how many francs you will get for $50?
Check out the currency conversion chart to get the answer.
To compare the French franc to the new Euro, click here:  http://www.xe.net/gen/euro.htm

SIZES

If you plan on going home wearing the latest French fashions, be sure you know your clothing size (la taille)  and your shoe size (la pointure)  in the European system.

SOUVENIR SHOPPING
 

If you are looking for a little French trinket for Aunt Sophie or for the kids you babysit for, visit the bouquinistes  along the banks of the Seine near the Ile de la Cité.  These vendors set up shop every morning and close up in the evening.  They are called bouquinistes  because they were once almost exclusively used book (bouquin) dealers.  They still sell old things, such as maps, stamps, posters, coins, and even some books, but they also sell the usual tourist fare: postcards, mini Eiffel Towers, key chains, etc.

GOURMET TREATS
 

Fromage	vin	chocolat from www.roy.fr

If you're shopping for a gourmet, go to Fauchon,where you can get gourmet anything, or go to a chocolatier for sinfully delicious chocolate treats, or perhaps to a marchand de vin who will help you select a choice wine to bring home to Mom and Dad.  If you have developed a taste for French cheeses, go to a fromagerie (cheese store) and select from over 400 varieties.  If you've become addicted to French bread go to a boulangerie (bakery).  However, you'd better plan to picnic in the park with the bread and cheese, because U.S. customs will not let you bring in foods that are perishable or not suitable packed.
 

LUXURY ITEMS
 
 

Baccarat crystal	Limoges porcelain	perfume and eau de toilette	silk scarf

If you are in the market for the luxury items for which Paris is best known, then go to the Galeries Lafayette,
Le Printemps, or La Samaritaine, three upscale department stores.  (Click on the store name to view these landmark buildings.)  Items you may wish to purchase:  perfumes and cosmetics, designer silk scarves, Baccarat crystal or Limoges porcelain.  Expect a wide range of prices depending on how expensive your tastes are.  For example, a Baccarat wine glass may cost 1015FF;  a Limoges decorated box may cost 945FF; a silk scarf may cost 725FF; a 510gm box of chocolates may cost 220FF; a modest, but good Beaujolais may cost 59FF.

LA HAUTE COUTURE
 

If you are really BCBG (very chic)  in your taste, go to the Rue St. Honoré  or the Place Vendôme and drop in on the designer of your choice, but be prepared to drop a bundle!  If your timing is right (and if you are well connected) you may wish to go to one of the défilés de mode  (fashion shows).

Click here for a cyberview of the latest designer collections (This will open in a new window; simply close the window to return to this page.) catwalk