When you are in Paris… (part three)

October 1st, 2006 • Related • Filed Under

by Lins, emmagem’s Malaysian correspondent in France (learning Francaise and immersed in French culture) from France

Besides the sightseeing on a boat to catch a quick snapshot of Paris, there are also city tours on top of an open roof double-decker bus. These buses cruise the popular tourists routes and by buying a two-day pass, you get to ride on one, come down to visit the monuments and hop up the next one that belongs to the same tour company for the entire period of the pass. Not bad an idea if one is tired of walking.

After visiting all the monuments, museums and parks, it’s time to head for some serious shopping, or at least window shopping. Paris is not called the fashion capital of the world for nothing. The Galleries Lafayette’s flagship store in Boulevard Haussmann boasts itself as the fashion capital to the fashion capital of the world and they’re not that far off that exaggeration as the 9 floored shopping complex with two annexes boasts designer labels from most of the big names. You can obtain a 12 percent tax rebate upon producing your passport. On its rooftop, there’s a splendid view of Paris and should not be missed. The perfume department also offers specially concocted perfumes of designer labels that are only found in this shopping complex in Paris. Just outside, its biggest competitor, the Printemps operates in more or less the same manner.

Many people come to Paris for its big names in fashion. Almost everywhere, hot new designers and old established labels mingle in profusion and for the fashionistas, this must be paradise on earth. However, with the mighty euros on the exchange, a simple t-shirt that looked seemingly inexpensive at 30 euros may be atrocious when multiplied by 4.6 and you certainly won’t get something chic with a big name labeled on it for that kind of money! My favorite address is Avenue Montaigne as it is calm, wide and lined with trees and flower beds. On both side of the avenue, there are only the most prestigious brands and one can only but ogle at the displays. Do enter and check those up, the salespersons are very discreet and polite to tourists. English are spoken by most salespersons, and I was surprised that most luxury stores have personnel that speak even Japanese, Korean and mandarin! Be assured that you will never be pushed to buy anything nor be snubbed. Move straight up to Avenue George V and take a right turn; you’re smack in the middle of Avenue des Champs Elysées. It is one of the most prestigious addresses in Paris, one end being the Place de Concorde and the other the Arc de Triomphe. ‘Elysée’ is the synonym of paradise in French literature (get the picture?). The flagship store of the prestigious label Louis Vuitton has an eye-catching address of 101, Avenue des Champs Elysées. It is a sheer eye candy of luxury leather goods and incredibly, long queues of tourists waiting to go inside! This historical flagship store also has a gallery that display cultural activities of the maison and visits are free. As usual, all the luxury labels offer tax rebate to tourists. Another luxury leather goods label, Lancel, is situated just a few stores up the street towards the Arc de Triomphe. It is newly reopened after some renovation and if you’re in Paris during the sales period in late winter or summer, check out this label for some big discounts on very nice leather goods, especially towards the end of the sales seasons when prices are reduced for the third and final time. Incidentally, this rule applies to all other labels except the most prestigious of labels and jewelries. In France, the law dictates that shops be closed on Sundays and many shops open half day on Mondays so you should plan your visits to stores accordingly to avoid disappointment. Weekend can be used for visiting the monuments and entrance to national monuments is free on the first Sunday of the first week of the month. So, all you fashionistas out there, starts saving for THAT trip to Paris!

For the fans of flea markets, get a copy of market schedules from the tourism office, local ‘annonce’ ( it’s a kind of periodical that announces the local activities and they’re usually obtained free from newspaper stands) or go on-line and it will indicate the time, date and place to go for certain kinds of things. It is called ‘brocante’, ‘braderie’ or ‘vide grenier’ in French. Sometimes, you’ll find flea markets mixed with local farm and artisan products. It is worth trying but needs some effort and if you’re pressed for time, give it a go. I particularly enjoy the artisan leather goods that are excellent in quality but not expensive at all. As preserving all things used and old is a national past time for the French, you are sure to stumble upon something interesting but at the flea markets, SCOUT first and BARGAIN! Bonne promenade!

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