This is a guest post from Cheap Hotels website with some good tips about Holiday shopping in Paris
Christmas Shopping in Paris
If it’s high-quality goods you’re after, shopping in Paris is made for you, especially when it comes to vintage and designer fashion. Shopping here can be pricey, so cut costs by finding cheap hotels in Paris to stay in while you hunt down your dream wardrobe. Whether you’re Christmas shopping in Paris, or you’ve got a shopping trip to the City of Lights coming up later, use the guide below to discover the most stylish stores while staying at cheap hotels…
Colette (233 rue Saint-Honore ,1er)
Concept store Colette stocks an exceptionally-edited mix of cool and cult items– head here to pick up the latest ‘it’ fashion brands, beauty products, coffee table books, gadgets, technology and street wear. Positioning itself as ‘more’ then just a shop, Colette has an events space and a basement water bar downstairs, serving over 100 different brands of mineral water. It’s always busy, so try visiting on weekday mornings to avoid most of the crush.
Galeries Lafayette (40, bd Haussmann,9 er)
The largest and busiest department store in Paris, Galeries Lafayette is another one where you might have to fight your way through the crowds on a weekend – but it’s still well worth a look. Entering via the ground floor beauty hall, you’ll find yourself in a breathtaking circular central space, with three stories of galleries ringing the sides and a beautiful glass cupola roof. You can find ready-to-wear designer stuff here rubbing shoulders with the more affordable likes of Diesel, Levi’s Red Tab,Desigual
and Zadig & Voltaire, as well as a gourmet food department next door and artwork at the Galeries des Galeries exhibit space.
Free P Star (8 rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, 4er)
Epitomising the Marais neighbourhood’s youthful, edgy scene, Free P Star offersvintage threads at discount rates, with rails simply bursting with cotton dresses, furcoats and leather jackets, plus handbags stacked high and piles of boots in one corner. Climb to the mezzanine level to hunt for more bargains in one-Euro bins.
Surface to Air (108 rue Vieille du Temple, 3er)
A bookshop, publishing house, creative consultancy agency and clothing outlet, Surface to Air is a concept store extraordinaire in the heart of the Marais. Pop in to check out the directional, minimalist clothing collections and great-quality shoes and bags.
Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great holiday gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Oh, and I was just going to congratulate you on this über-cool shot of the Lafayette store... I NEVER ever get the whole rosette on my camera, even leaning over precariously and ruining the sales girls day with just taking pictures but not buying anything.... ;)
I wait a bit longer because I want to see the shop windows when they are ready. Will you tell us the moment they're done??? Thanks.
Am tempted to visit Colette and Free P * but haven't really the time.... we'll see though!!!! Temptation MUST be given in don't you agree?! ;)
Posted by: Kiki | November 26, 2010 at 12:36 PM