Shopping in France is gradually gaining popularity every year. Prices in this country are far from the lowest, but the quality of goods and things pleases buyers. Therefore, shopping tours to France have recently become popular. You can see the sights and buy truly French perfumes, clothes, food products.
France is the country where the most fashionable things in the world are made. All avid fashionistas strive to visit here at least once. Arriving in France, not even with the aim of wandering around the shops in search of stylish new things, you will not be able to return home empty-handed. There is such a wide selection of goods here, that the eyes run up. I would like to buy clothes, perfumes, and accessories. After walking along the French streets, the wallet will obviously lose weight, but instead of "pieces of paper" in the suitcase there will be the most fashionable novelties of the season and a lot of necessary gizmos.
When to go shopping in France
It is beneficial to go to France during the summer and winter sales season. Who wants to buy a product at full price when you can buy it with a discount of up to 70%? During sales, shops and malls are filled with both foreign tourists and Parisians. But you have to choose very carefully. It will take enough time to buy what you need. You usually cannot exchange or return a sale item.
When going shopping, you should consider the season. In January and February it is better to buy outerwear, in March - clothes for spring and summer. The time from April to June is a great chance to buy goods for holidays, outdoor activities. During the summer months, there are big discounts, and autumn is the time to get some clothes for the winter.
To save money, you need to know that you can get VAT refund on purchases. The tax is 12% of the purchase price. To get money, you need to ask in stores to issue a tax-free check immediately before payment. The exception is made for such goods as alcohol, tobacco, food products.
An overview of the best shopping spots
Usually tourists plan to go shopping in Paris, but you should not stop your attention only on the capital. In Paris, some goods are much more expensive than in the provinces. Yes, you will have to spend more time searching, but you can save money. If it is not possible to wind kilometers around the cities, then you can stroll along the Parisian streets far from the center.
For example, on the street Faubourg-Saint-Honorе you should look into the world famous fashion houses and boutiques. The service here is of the highest level. Shopping will delight its lucky owners. Memories of shopping in these places will stick in your memory for a long time.
Galeries Lafayette
Avid shopaholics should visit such a large trading house as Galeries Lafayette. There are so many things here that many have never dreamed of even in a dream! The head will go round from a mega rich assortment not only for an ordinary buyer, but also for a demanding, demanding and scrupulous fashionist in all points. France is France. It is simply impossible to remain indifferent to what you see here.
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Place Vendôme
For those who love to wear jewelry, it is impossible not to walk along the Place Vendome. Most of the best jewelry stores are concentrated on it. Competent sellers will kindly help you to choose a piece of jewelry that will enrich its owner and shine on him with such brilliance, from which it will simply be impossible to take your eyes off.
Market Les Puces
Flea markets have been very popular in Europe for many decades. On them you can find interesting fascinating books, antiques, interior items, various trinkets. If you want to visit this kind of shopping place, then you need to find the Les Puces market. He works on weekends. What is there not among the sold ones!
In addition to the above, these are handicrafts, creations of young designers. Do not despair if you don't like anything. Nobody gets into the pocket. If you don't like it, don't take it. You can just walk around the rows, "wiggle your nose", listen to street musicians.
Le bon marche
The oldest department store known in France. The prices are high, but if you get on the sale, you can afford to buy something. The building was designed by the architect of the Eiffel Tower. The department store has as many floors as it will be difficult to get around. All goods are elite, there is no doubt about its authenticity. The most famous designers design items for this renowned store.
If someone is not particularly versed in fashion trends and brands, then you can turn to the clothes of the Agnes B brand. Designers have tried very hard, creating masterpieces from fabric, from which the most picky and knowledgeable buyers in the fashion world are crazy. The most famous phrase about the capital of France is: "See Paris and die." Quite a hackneyed expression. Better to use this sentence: "Paris is a city in which it is impossible to be disappointed."
The dream of visiting Paris is quite realizable. As soon as the time comes to get ready for the journey, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, cozy cafes in which visitors sit and have a conversation over a cup of aromatic coffee with a croissant come to mind. France is always associated with something for every person. Some have champagne, some have delicious truffles melting in their mouths. Others have it with the Moulin Rouge, the novelist Victor Hugo, or the singer Joe Dassin.
You can go to France on a voucher for the sake of attractions, on Christmas (to get new emotions, to celebrate a holiday in charming Europe). Someone has to come here for work, someone just for fun. Whatever the purpose of the visit, France will conquer any foreigner.
What souvenirs to bring from France
Buying souvenirs for yourself and your friends and relatives is not a problem. Fortunately, there is plenty to choose from. Although, on the other hand, this is the problem. The fact is that it is extremely difficult to opt for something specific. It will be especially pleasant to get a functional efficient thing.
The most common souvenirs that you can stumble upon, literally everywhere, are trinkets, ashtrays, plates, magnets with French symbols. Sometimes it is difficult to choose something as a gift for your boss or someone you don't know very well. In this case, tea or biscuits in a can is a good purchase. It is better, of course, to buy both as a gift so that you can drink a cup of delicious tea with fresh fragrant European cookies.
Miniatures of the Eiffel Tower are often bought as a souvenir. In the form of this building, you can purchase a napkin holder or a pendant. From France you can bring quality food and alcoholic beverages: chocolate, cheese, champagne, wine. Of course, the shops have a large assortment of French wines.
To surprise and delight a close friend or relative, it is worth looking for products that are not exported from the country. For this, it is better to visit a winery. There you can taste wines of various varieties and yields. Having tasted the drinks, the choice will be easier.
If you need to buy something for a loved one, you will have to fork out a little. A girl or a woman can be presented with French perfume. Each representative of the fairer sex will appreciate such a gift. Only here it is worth considering tastes. Many do not tolerate sweet smells, while others neglect neutral and fresh aromas.
In order not to miss, buy a set of small bottles with different notes: fruity and floral. Perfumes brought from France must be persistent and leave a long trail behind. Cosmetics will also be a great gift. Many products are made using secret technology using exclusively natural ingredients. They have a beneficial effect on the body, face and skin.
Tourists often buy products from Provence and Grasse as a gift. Provence is home to a huge number of vineyards. It sells excellent wine and quality olive oil. Well, and of course, how can you imagine Provence without fragrant herbs? They are inexpensive, useful in the kitchen of any housewife. Grasse is famous for the places where jasmine and lavender grow. Perfumes, eau de parfum and cosmetics are immediately made from them.
As you can see, France is overflowing with what you can bring home from it. And in no case should you miss the opportunity to buy goods that are produced and sold only in this most beautiful country in the world. Otherwise, you will have to remember with regret what could have served as an excellent acquisition.
In more detail, we examined purchases in France in the article.
Use the services of kiwitaxi and at the airport, at the specified time, the driver will be waiting for you, help with the luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several car classes are available - from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and the address within Paris. A taxi from / to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your destination.
