I am going to be in Paris for a few days at the end of the month.
What must-see stores should I visit (primarily skincare and cosmetics
since my apparel shopping has been curbed until my new year's
resolution actually shows some results!) I am particularly interested
in things that you can't see in the U.S. or things that you can't
order online. My fiance thought I would be happy to just visit
Sephora and L'Occitane, but I can do that right here!

Thanks!

stephanie@springer.com (Stephanie) wrote in message news:<41105a48.0401060759.e0ae678@posting.google.c om>...
I'd want to go to the CSP store to smell all the scents that aren't
available here (I've always wanted to sample "Fleurs de Peches" among
others). That's assuming that those fragrances are still there since
CSP was bought by another company. Anyone know?

Nina

"Stephanie" <stephanie@springer.com> wrote in message
news:41105a48.0401060759.e0ae678@posting.google.co m...
Oh, definitely the Herve Chapelier store and the Fragonard store.

cofarb

This might help:
http://www.leclubparis.com/english.asp

http://www.paris-touristoffice.com/c...sites/shopping

www.paris-trendy.com

http://web.ask.com/web?q=shopping+in+paris&qsrc=1&o=0

Also, don't forget Printemps, Au Bon Marché, Galéries Lafayette, Le Marais
.....
Do some googling, you'll find more than you can handle

Have a nice trip!
Elisa

"Els" <verheye_e@heatmail.com> wrote in message news:<rgHKb.1263$x_7.181288@phobos.telenet-ops.be>...
I suggest that you visit the CSP store (for the Eaux de Voyages, but
also for all the charming turquoise-colored travelling accessories),
Collete (though part of its allure for us Europeans is that it carries
"obscure" american brands), Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and then
browse through the larger pharmacies/para-pharmacies that stock plenty
of skincare brands, like Darphin, Decleor, Nuxe (Nuxe shop may also be
worth the visit, I never had a chance).

Enjoy your trip!
opoponax

There's one place you must visit: the Printemps beauty store. It is next to
the Printemps department store and consists of four (!) floors of makeup,
skin care and body products, plus in-store spas. Amazing! I am not at all
impressed by the Sephora stores in Paris and you can just skip them. Don't
miss out on the Parfums Frederic Malle store on the Left Bank, I think, on
the rue de Grenelle (which by the way is the most wonderful shoe shopping
street in the city).

Evie

"Stephanie" <stephanie@springer.com> wrote in message
news:41105a48.0401060759.e0ae678@posting.google.co m...

I'm always impressed by the original Sephora store on Champs Elysees. Its
size and changing themes are fun to me. Way too crowded on weekends but its
definitely worth a walk through, in my opinion. Every tourist is going to
pass it while strolling the boulevard so may as well take a look. Even my
husband enjoys going in there.

My favorite 'cheap boutique', where I buy loads of stuff for my young
daughters is Jennyfer. Its a chain store and there is one in the Latin
Quarter, on St. Michel. I found a variety of accessories and cotton cami's
for as cheap as $4 on 'solde'.

Agatha is another favorite shop because the jewelry is cheaper at Agatha in
Paris than in the Agatha shops in the U.S. For example, I bought a sterling
silver crystal ring for $45 in Agatha Paris and the same identical one was
$73 in the U.S. Agatha. The sales girl said she hears that all the time.
Some really cute things there especially the pendants with the little
Scottie dog (Agatha's logo).

Jennifer in Houston

"Evie" <lemoncloud@planetnojunk.nl> wrote in message
news:bthqnc$6eh$1@reader10.wxs.nl...

"Stephanie" <stephanie@springer.com> wrote in message
news:41105a48.0401060759.e0ae678@posting.google.co m...
Skincare and cosmetics? Well, that leaves out apparel, shoes, jewelry,
handbags, and fragrances, doesn't it You will still have loads of fun!

Evie recently wrote about the newly enlarged cosmetics department at
Printemps. I have yet to see it but it sounds like a must see. While you're
at it you can check into the cosmetics department over at GL but I'm sure it
will pale in comparison now.

I would also suggest visiting a Parashop (www.parashop.fr), which is a huge
pharmacy of mostly skincare products. They have tons of French brands! There
are a handful around town and they are usually open Mon-Sat. Near the dept
stores you'll find one at 46 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin behind the Opera
Garnier building. Additional locations which perhaps may be closer to where
you'll be staying can be found on the website. One can spend hours in this
shop.

The thing about the highly touted Collette concept store is that it aims to
carry a lot of American, Australian, and Japanese brands, and not
necessarily French brands.

If you don't get to shop for apparel, how about visiting Paris' Museum of
Fashion, the Palais Galliera? The Marlene Dietrich show is over and I'm not
sure what the next show is, but every show I've seen there has been great.
http://tinyurl.com/2rnm6

Check later this month http://www.museums-of-paris.com/index.php) or when
you get there to see what the shows are at the Palais Galliera or the Musee
de la Mode et du Textile next to the Louvre.

Bon voyage,
Claire

stephanie@springer.com (Stephanie) wrote in message news:<41105a48.0401060759.e0ae678@posting.google.c om>...
don't forget to hit Monoprix - the L'oreal shampoos in France do seem
to be different - there is one I particularly like for my dryish
curls, Balsam something, smells great and left my hair very smooth -
and there are many brands of nifty drugstore finds that we just don't
have here in the states.

Maison du Chocolat. You can thank me later.

same is true for Comptoir Sud Pacifique. They have (obviously) the
full line and usually the service in impeccable. A hard-to-find
favourite of mine: Bois de Reglisse. try it. You'll either love it or
hate it, I doubt there is any in-between.

BE sure to stop in at the Annick Goutal flagship around the corner
from the Louvre.

The flagship Thierry Mugler is otherworldly expensive, but the clothes
are worth visiting like it were some sort of museum. really
innovative and chic.

also, in the Louvre area - the little mall underneath is surprisingly
chic and modern. There is a food court there - the chocolate mousse
at what used to be called "hector le poulet" (now has a slightly
different more American-sounding name) down there is surprisingly good
for so inexpensive. Also, the restaurant at the Louvre Hotel (the
Concorde one) is quite attractive and the food and service are good.

You'll always win at Printemps. the perfume/makeup counters and
costume jewelry and accessories selections are top-notch. Also, if
you stop by the customer service desk at les Galleries Lafayettes, you
get a free touristic gift (usually either a bag or a wallet, I got one
and my husband got the other) and a discount.

stroll the champs elysees, it really is well worth your time. (for
lunch try Restaurant Romarin, a chain that doesn't feel like one,
reasonably priced, good service. They have a voluntaire of salmon
that is fabulous)

have a fantastic time!!!!! I am super-jealous.

enjoy enjoy.

erica

"erica" <ejbial@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e087d62e.0401091311.7c8ed09c@posting.google.c om...
Monoprix! I never spend enough time there. Good call, Erica!

And shame on you for mentioning Maison du Chocolate: ) I never buy enough
and it's always gone within a month of arriving back home.

I've never received the bag/wallet "tourist gift" at the GL welcome counter.
Did you ask for it specifically or did they just give it to you when you
stopped by for the tourist discount card? (On my last visit I already had a
valid discount card so I didn't stop at the welcome desk, maybe my mistake!)
And one can never say this enough, but at both GL and Printemps you can get
the 10% tourist discount on almost purchase except for the red dot items (if
you obtain the tourist discount card at the welcome "accueil" desk) AND the
detaxe refund on top of that if you spend enough on a single day (150E I
think). You can get both, so stop and get the tourist discount card
regardless of how much you plan to spend in a day.

And you can do the free fashion show at either/both GL and Printemps. You
can reserve by email; info is on the websites. I usually do GL but have been
to Printemps', too. It's fun! You will enjoy viewing the fashion and s.o.'s
will enjoy the models so it really does work as a couples event. I promise,
Stephanie. I see lots of couples there and nobody is disappointed, lol.
They provide a complimentary beverage and be sure to arrive before the last
minute to get a decent seat.

Claire

"Claire in SF" <clairidge@aol.com> wrote in message news:<btli7d$8cehi$1@ID-131371.news.uni-berlin.de>...
(snip)

Hi!
The Palais Galliera is closed until Jan 28. I was there yesterday and
told so. In the Fashion Museum located at the Louvre there's a
exhibition about the work of designers Viktor and Rolf

Regards

Maria in Barcelona

Hi

I also recommend you to visit the new Printemps beaute floor at the
Hausmann branch. It's very impressive. Many brands, several spas.
Much better than any Sephora. I also like Lafayette, especially it's
handbag section.

Go to Angelina (226 Rue Rivoli) and have a cup of their smooth, rich,
hot chocolate. They serve it with whipped cream on the side. Yummy!.

I love tea, and every time I come to Paris I buy some at Betjeman and
Barton (23 Bld. Malesherbes). Yesterday, I bought some Eden Rose
(black tea aromatized with vanilla, rose and bergamot), Pushkin (black
tea with lemon, orange, grapefruit and bergamot), Autumm Blend (black
tea with fig, pear and quince) and Cardamon (green tea aromatized with
cardamon, to be brewed in milk).

A nice place to check is Perfums de Nicolai. Their website is
http://www.pnicolai.com
Their liquid soap is great.

I love to walk around the Marais quarter. The Rue des Franc-bourgeois
has great shops.

If you like flower arrangements visit Christian Tortu shop. It's
located in the carrefour de l'odeon, close to rue conde. This guy has
beautiful ideas with flowers. Yesterday, they had in the window an
arrangement made out of mimosa branches and white camellias floating
in a white earthware shallow dish. Gorgeous

Close to this flower shop, there's Zensui, a shop carrying beautiful
things made out of japanese silk. Evie recommended this place and I
second her. Great shop.

And at 29 rue de Tournon a great wedding dresses shop, Suzanne Ermann.
Their website is
http://www.suzanne-ermann.com

Regards

Maria in Barcelona