As much as I love shopping, there are two things I hate having to spend time looking for:  jeans and bras.  As I get older, the body parts that play a pivotal role in these two purchases no longer want to cooperate.  They are beginning to behave like the toddler in a stroller who has had absolutely enough of being good and decides to throw a fit in the middle of the store.  If I could, I would leave them home since they continue to cause me all sorts of trouble.  The good news is I can find some relief in this necessary chore when I am in Paris.  

 The first time I stepped off the escalator on the third floor of Galeries Lafayette, I started to hyper-ventilate.  Here you will find the largest “undergarments” department I have ever seen.  Miles and miles of bras and matching panties and corsets and whatever else one wears as undergarments lives here.  Initially, it is overwhelming.  But I think you can do it.  And I would say to you that if you go home without some of these French wonders, you will be losing out on feeling “good all under”!

I avoided this place like the plague until it was necessary for me to spruce up my “wardrobe” if you will.  Slowly, I made my way back to the department and very carefully placed myself in the middle of all the displays but as far from a sales clerk as possible (which is hard to do) until I saw some things that I liked.  Sizes are different here-ranging from 80A to 115K.  The numbers look awful but aren’t.  I told the woman who approached me what size I was looking for, she looked at my chest, puffed out her lips and rolled her eyes like, “Oh sure, honey, that’s your size!”  All my self-confidence started to melt away but I didn’t let her talk me into anything else.  She magically went directly to the right size bra amidst all those nasty plastic hangers that I was managing to make a total mess of and sent me off to the cabines (changing rooms).  Ladies, I must tell you, I had a little moment! I had on a bra that looked and fit like a dream.  Another heads up–I was changed forever.  Bras and Roquefort cheese–who knew!

My next little dilemma was trying to get out of having to buy the matching panties.  This little set that you see here could easily put you back about 150 euros–beauty and fit does not come cheap.  When I tried to wiggle my way out of it, she merely stated the obvious, “But Madame, you MUST have this beautiful set”.  She wasn’t trying to sell me anything to get commission.  She was just stating a fact.  It WAS a beautiful set and this is Paris and how often do you buy your underwear here?  You can’t even call it that.  It’s fashion, beauty, sexy, seductive, wonderfulness all rolled up into one.  I didn’t want to tell her that I was sure I could find a nice 4 pack of microfiber bikinis back at Target for about $9.99.  I knew that I would just get more rolling of the eyeballs into the back of her head.  The bra was 60€ and the matching bottoms another 30€.  I just did the exchange at today’s rate and it came to $133.  Oh, well, c’est la vie! 

Now that I am used to “under-happiness”, I think I need to stop shopping at Target! So, ladies, don’t let me down.  The French have a knack for doing many things right and lingerie is one of them!  Guys, all I’ve got for you today is hanging out in the lingerie department at Galeries Lafayette or going to look at cars on the Champs Elysée.  Both pretty good choices I might add.  You are welcome.  And for some of you who know me and read this, I know what you are going to ask when I get home and no, you can’t see what I bought!

Galeries Lafayette

Photos:  Personal collection 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

                                                                                     THIS IS PARIS TO ME

Cobble stone streets; and chic cafés.
Strolling down the Champs Elysées.
Going into the Madeleine,
or riding the Bateaux Mouches on the Seine.
That is what you must do and see,
but this is not Paris to me.

Les musiciens qui jouent dans le Métro,
le bonjour de la patronne du bistro.
Le marché aux fleurs du dimanche matin,
et un pot au tabac du coin.
Mon joli appartement,
dans une petite rue du Quartier Latin.
That is what you don’t do or see,
but this is Paris to me.

Climbing the stairs up to Montmartre,
to buy pictures that are not really art.
Taking photographs in front of the Eiffel Tower,
the Louvre, Notre-Dame, or on the Pont des Arts.
These are the things that you must do and see.
but this is not Paris to me.

Les diners avec de bons amis,
le cinéma l’après-midi.
Les graces matinées avec mon amant au lit,
en ecoutant la pluie.
C’est ça Paris, c’est ça la vie.
These are the things that you don’t do or see,
but this is Paris to me.

Guided tours of the museums,
a visit to the Bastille, the Invalides,
the Conciergerie.
On top of the Arc of Triumph,
or on the tower at Montparnasse;
sooner or later your feet will get tired
and you will run out of gas.
Still all of this you must do and see,
but this is not Paris to me.

La rentrée de septembre après les vacances.
Les feuilles qui tombent
et donnent l’ambiance.
La baguette chaude qui sort du four,
les cries des enfants qui jouent dans la cour.
Still all of this you do not hear or see,
but this is Paris to me.

Galeries Lafayette, the Bon Marché,
all the shops on the Avenue Montaigne.
Dior, Chanel, Lacroix, and Guerlain,
are sold to you like “petit pain”.
Your arms are full at the duty free,
it’s the start of your shopping spree.
Louis Vuitton, Fauchon, Hermès,
you only want the very best.
This is what you buy and see,
but this is not Paris to me.

La bonne bouffe, les bon vins,
les rendez-vous avec les copains,
Les concerts et les spectacles,
passer des heures à là Fnac.
Flâner dans les rues ou de lire au jardin,
c’est ça la joie, la joie sans fin.
This is what you don’t do or see,
but this is Paris to me.

Drinking champagne at the Moulin Rouge,
the Lido, or the Crazy Horse Saloon.
At those prices you think,
you could have gone to the moon.
And your trip to Paris,
will end too soon.
It may not be the money, but the time you lack,
and of course you say,
you will definitely come back.
This is the beauty you think you see,
but this is not Paris to me.

Paris change de robes
selon les saison.
La couleur des feuilles en automne,
la lumière si grise l’hiver.
Les bourgeons des arbres au printemps,
et le ciel bleu d’été.
Les grands couturiers, donneraient tout
pour ce beau défilé.
Tout ça est gravé dans mes yeux,
est gravé dans mon âme
Paris! Je t’aime, Paname!
This is the beauty that you don‘t see,
but this is Paris to me.

Lynn Rodriguez © 2006

All rights reserved.  Lynn Rodriguez 2007

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

The show is held in the Salon Opéra and lasts for 30 minutes with commentaries in English. The Autumn/Winter Collection will be presented featuring the latest styles by many famous designers and couturiers.

It’s always a great way to spend the afternoon with friends and to do some serious shopping afterwards, or to sit and have tea and pastries at Maxim’s on the 3rd floor, or the Terrace Restaurant on the 7th floor! In any case, there are a number of restaurants to choose from for whatever you happen to be craving. Click here for more details.

Galeries Lafayette
40 Boulevard Haussmann
75009 PARIS
Metro stop : Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette,
RER : Auber
Tel: 33 1 42 82 36 40.
E-mail: welcome@galerieslafayette.com

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Here’s a list, in no particular order, of some of the best places to shop for groceries or desserts while in Paris. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as your palate!

Best places for a food experience:

1. FAUCHON

30 Place de la Madeleine
Paris 8ème
Tél : 01.70.39.38.00
Open from 9h to 20h Mon-Sat

2. HEDIARD

HEDIARD MADELEINE

21 Place de la Madeleine
Paris 8ème
Tel: 01.43.12.88.88
Open from 9h to 22h Mon-Sat

HEDIARD GEORGE V

31 Avenue George V
Paris 8ème
Tel: 01.47.20.44.44
Open from 9h to 21h Mon-Fri
Open from 9h to 20h Sat & Sun

HEDIARD GARE DE LYON

Galerie des Fresques
Paris 12ème
Tel: 01.46.28.04.15

HEDIARD COURCELLES

106 Boulevard de Courcelles
Paris 17ème
Tel: 01.47.63.32.14
Open 9h30 to 22h Mon-Sat

HEDIARD DOUMER

70 Avenue Paul Doumer
Paris 16ème
Tel: 01.45.04.51.92
Open from 9h to 22h Mon-Sat

3. LE BON MARCHE – LA GRANDE EPICERIE DE PARIS

38 Rue de Sèvres
Paris 7ème
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
Tel: 33 1 44 39 80 00
Open 8h30 to 21h Mon-Sat

4. GALERIES LAFAYETTE

40 Blvd. Haussmann
Paris 9ème
Metro: Chaussée d’Antin, Opéra, or Trinité
RER: Auber or Haussmann St-Lazare
Telephone: 01.42. 82.34.56
Open 9h30 to 19h30 Mon-Sat
Open until 21h Thursdays
Closed Sundays

Best places to satisfy a sweet tooth craving:

1. LADUREE

LADUREE ROYALE

16 rue Royale
Paris 8ème
Tél : 01 42 60 21 79
Open 8h30 to 19h Mon-Sat
Open 10h to 19h Sundays

LADUREE CHAMPS-ELYSEES

75 avenue des Champs Elysées
Paris 8ème
Tel : 01.40.75.08.75
Open 7h30 to 23h Mon-Fri
Open 8h30 to midnight Saturdays
Open 8h30 to22h Sundays

LADUREE PRINTEMPS

62 Boulevard Haussmann
Paris 9ème
Tel : 01.42.82.40.10
Open 9h30 to 19h Mon-Sat
Open until 22h Thursdays
Closed Sundays

LADUREE BONAPARTE

21 Rue Bonaparte
Paris 6ème
Tel : 01.44.07.64.87
Open 8h30 to 19h30 Mon-Sat
Open 10h to 19h30 Sundays & Holidays

2. LENÔTRE

BOUTIQUE DE BASTILLE

10 Rue Saint Antoine
Paris 2ème
tel. 01.53.01.91.91

BOUTIQUE DE COURCELLES

15 Boulevard de Courcelles
Paris 8ème
tel 01.45.63.87.63

LENÔTRE AUTEUIL

44 Rue d’Auteuil
Paris 16ème
tel. 01.45.24.52.52

BOUTIQUE DE WAGRAM

121 Avenue de Wagram
Paris 17ème
tel: 01.47.63.70.30

BOUTIQUE GRANDE ARMEE

61 Avenue de la Grande Armée
Paris 16ème
tel: 01.45.00.12.10

BOUTIQUE VICTOR HUGO

48 Avenue Victor Hugo
Paris 16ème
tel: 01.45.02.21.21

BOUTIQUE PASSY KENNEDY

102 Avenue du Président Kennedy
Paris 16ème
tel: 01.55.74.44.44

BOUTIQUE ECOLE MILITAIRE

36 Avenue de la Motte Piquet
Paris 7ème
tel: 01.45.55.71.25

BOUTIQUE LECOURBES

61 Rue Lecourbes
Paris 15ème
tel: 01.42.73.20.97

LENÔTRE ALESIA

91 Avenue du Général Leclerc
Paris 14ème
tel: 01.53.90.24.50

3. FAUCHON

MADELEINE

24-26 Place de la Madeleine,
Paris 8ème
Tél : 01.70.39.38.00
Open from 8h to 21h Mon-Sat

4. LE BON MARCHE – LA GRANDE EPICERIE DE PARIS

38 Rue de Sèvres
Paris 7ème
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
Tel: 33 1 44 39 80 00
Open 8h30 to 21h Mon-Sat

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Well this is my list of other great places that you should definitely go to the top of for a fantastic view. (These are in no particular order; they’re all great for one reason or another!) Yes, I’ll include the Eiffel Tower because if I don’t, someone will be sure to say, “Where’s the Eiffel Tower?”

The top 10 are:

 1.     Eiffel Tower
 2.     Arc of Triumph
 3.     Notre-Dame Cathedral
 4.     Grande Arche de la Defense
 5.     Pompidou Center *
 6.     Galeries Lafayette
 7.     Institut du Monde Arabe §
 8.     Samaritaine +
 9.     Montparnasse Tower
10.    Steps of the Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre

*  Great view of the Sacré-Coeur.
§  Great view of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
+  Great view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Take out your cameras and start snapping away!

Post from: The Paris Traveler