Every time I go to Paris the first thing in the itinerary is
always:
SHOPPING!
We got in about 10AM and we took an UBER straight to our AirBnb. We took some time to freshen up after our long flight, and of course enjoy the view from our Parisian balcony. I made sure the AirBnb we got had a beautiful balcony and we got just that! Parisian balconies are my weakness (I don't know how many times I've said this). There are two addresses in Paris that I have memorized, 31 Rue Cambon and 233 Rue St. Honore. I am a very efficient shopper. Before going into a store I already know what I want. Some of my favourite designers are French so I love getting it from the source! One of the things I love about shopping in Paris is that they offer you some drinks which include: champagne, rosé, wine, or sparkling water. Who doesn't love sipping on some bubbly while looking at pretty things?
Little note: I try to speak in French when I start my conversation with everyone in Paris - even when shopping!
First stop: Chanel - 31 Rue Cambon
I mean why wouldn't Chanel be my first stop, it is my favourite designer after all. I love going to this location because 1. it's so pretty (what Chanel isn't), 2. it's where Coco Chanel's apartment was located (I appreciate a good historical monument), and 3. white shopping bags. The white shopping bags are unique to the Rue Cambon location. The white bags are just cuter. For those who know me know my love for white aesthetics. Let me tell you guys about my experience!
Every time I go here the service is great; everyone is nice and friendly! The first thing that happens is that someone will approach you to ask you what you're looking for. They then take you to that area (purses, shoes, etc) and you wait for an available SA. As I waited for the SA I got offered a refreshment of my choice. Majority of the time I opt for a champagne, or a rosé but I also ask for sparkling water. J usually gets a sparkling water. Pro tip: ask for another one before you leave the store that way you save on buying water outside. The staff here is usually really attentive especially if it's taking some time for someone to get to you. I didn't buy a purse (from Chanel) on this trip as I just gifted myself a vintage Chanel classic double flap prior to coming on this trip. But with that being said I had other little things I planned on getting. I got some shoes & a couple of accessories. From this location I got two out of three Chanel items. I had to go to practically every Chanel location in Paris to find the belt that I want! I finally got the classic quilted SLG of my dreams. I wanted a new one and they had to get someone to walk over to the location at the end of the block to get me a nice unopened one. I am very OCD with the things I get. I am aware of the natural wear and tear of leather goods but I want to be the one to do that. I will not buy anything that looks overly touched or scuffed already. Also, I got me some classic espadrilles in the nude colour way. I mean it's me so of course I went for nude, also because I have the all black one already. I actually tried on a couple of shoes and bless my SA for being so nice and patient. Afterwards, my SA walked me to the grand staircase and actually told me to stick around for some pictures. I had to get comfortable taking pictures in front of the door man of course but thats okay! I took more pictures outside of the store, I mean white building DUH. After 100++ pictures we took an UBER and moved on to our next stop which is the other address I have memorized.
Second stop: Maison Goyard - 233 Rue St. Honore
Goyard would be included in my top French designers. Goyard is a very exclusive brand. Although I always had a good experience their approach is different. Let's just say the SA's are not as "personable" compared to the Chanel SA's. But that doesn't necessarily mean they were rude to me/us. My experience with Goyard was very short compared to Chanel; I did not spend too much time inside.
I love how unique their design is! J and I got a little gift for ourselves. I got another St. Germaine PM tote, in yellow this time. This is my favourite/go-to tote! The first one I got is the grey version that I got the first time I went to Paris 2 years ago. Goyard is all about their unique/fashion colours! Unlike other designers, getting black is actually cheaper for their brand. I actually wanted a different purse but it was sold out! J got a cute little SLG watching my grey tote!
After Goyard, we walked around the area to look at other stores and took more photos. Next stop: Avenue Montaigne. This is probable my favourite Avenue in Paris - designer central! I visited all of the stores however my number one priority was Céline as I have been searching for a particular Céline purse. I am a big fan of the minimalist store design of Céline. Personally I was more of a Phoebe fan. When I went inside, I was approached by an SA and I told her what I was looking for. Right away she shook her head and told me "Sold out. Everywhere." She then proceeded to suggest a different colour way/style. She was actually a little pushy. I was determined to get the one I want so I thanked her and we left.
On to our last stop: Galleries Lafayette.
Galleries Lafayette is the PRETTIEST mall I've ever seen - it doesn't look like your typical mall. The only thing I dislike about this place is that it is always OVERCROWDED but it is expected. I went straight to Céline to look for the bag, and guess what...IT WAS AVAILABLE. The first purse the SA showed me was the pebbled leather with SHW. I asked her if she had one with GHW I didn't even mention I wanted the smooth leather. She pulled one out and she said that was the only one in their stock and that they haven't gotten one in months. That was a done deal for me, SOLD. Obviously I did my checks of the bag to make sure it had to scuffs or anything. It was perfect. After this purchase I said to J, "I'm done." And you know what I was a woman of my word (at least from what I can remember).
The good thing about our AirBnb was that it was less than 5 minute walk from Galleries Lafayette. We walked back to our place to drop off all our shopping bags, and to do a quick outfit change into a more casual fit for dinner. We ended up going to this italian place for dinner: pizza, pasta & wine for our first dinner! We ended our night with a little movie (like we always do). Eventually we both dozed off and before we even knew it, we were PTFO!
VAT RETURN (my experience)
If you are shopping in Paris, make sure you bring your passport with you at all times! Get that money back! You have the option to get a cash back or have the money returned to your credit card. On this trip, for all of my returns I simply got cash back it was easier. You get a range between 11-12% money back.
How it works:
1. You shop.
2. At the till, the cashier will get some info from your passport.
3. They give you your receipt from the purchase and they give you this sheet with a scannable barcode, in an envelope, for your VAT return that you scan at the KIOSK at the airport.
Shopping in Galleries Lafayette is convenient because they have their own designated area where you file your return (they have multiple kiosk stands/computers) and you get your money back right away. On the other hand, designer boutiques don't have their own computers/kiosks to quickly file so you have to wait until the day you leave before you get your money back. You take the piece of paper they give you and you have to file your return at the airport before departing! Make sure you do not lose these or else you won't get your return. Also, something to remember is when buying from Galleries Lafayette, you can only claim to get your return ON THE SAME DAY! If not you do not get to claim any money from your previous purchases! I forgot to go to the kiosk after shopping for one of my items, good thing we lived close to the mall that I just ran back before the mall closed!
At the kiosk: It's a pretty simple process. You scan your passport and you scan the piece of paper they give you. I believe it asks you when will you be departing Paris and how you want your return (in cash or CC return).
At the airport: When you go to the airport before you check in, you will need to find the KIOSK (machine) to file your return. The instructions are pretty basic and easy. Then it could go two ways: it can be approved right away or you would need to see a customs agent to review your items for the return. I found that items costing $1,000 or less get instant approval. Once everything is approved, you file your slips, each slip for each purchase, and place it in the envelope given to you originally with these papers and you put it in this box to be mailed out. Remember, one item per return, per envelope. Don't put all of your slips/returns in one envelope.
