After some retail therapy at Château de Vincennes, we travelled back to Paris to visit the Avenue des Champs-Élysées for even more retail therapy. Lined with cinemas, cafes, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, Avenue des Champs-Élysées is arguably one of the world's most famous streets. Several French monuments are also on the street which includes the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. The street is home to popular brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Lancel, Guerlian, Lacoste. More recently H&M (Sweden) and Abercrombie&Fitch (American) were allowed to open at Champs-Élysées. I did not take many pictures as my hands were full of bags!
The avenue runs for 1.91km and is extremely accessible. Here are some of the stations:
- Station Charles de Gaulle – Étoile at the street's west end
- George V by the Hôtel George-V
- Franklin D. Roosevelt at the rond-point des Champs-Élysées
- Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau at place Clemenceau
- Concorde (Paris Métro) at the southern end of the avenue, where the Place de la Concorde is located.
Let me share some highlights of my visit:
Champs-Élysées
Another view of Champs-Élysées, this time down towards Place de la Concorde.
Champs-Élysées
The customer service at Louis Vuitton is probably the best in Paris. There are staffs from all around the world, making sure that there will not be any difficulties in communicating. The LV products are definitely cheaper than what we have in Asia. And the staff is more than willing to help with the necessary procedures for the VAT refund. All you have to do is bring a copy of your passport and they will get everything filled in for you. Just bring the forms to the airport customs to get the VAT refund stamped and you are done! You will be given two options of the VAT refund, 12% through credit card which takes several weeks or 10.8% cash refund.
This flagship stores is large and allows a certain number of people in at a time. You may have to wait in line for 15- 20 minutes before being allowed into the store. Unfortunately, you may feel at home since it is a little touristy with MANY ASIANS AROUND. Free Wifi. A MUST VISIT even if you are going to gawk at the merchandises. Opening hours: 10:00am - 8:00pm (Monday-Saturday) and 11:00am - 7:00pm (Sunday)
Louis Vuitton
Even in Paris, the strong sweet smelling Abercrombie & Fitch's signature is always present in the shop! Abercrombie and Fitch has a nice aristocratic box-hedged garden on the way in. The décor is positively museum-worthy. Unfortunately, no photography within the shop itself. Still, a MUST VISIT. Prices are similar to what we have in Singapore. Opening hours: 10:00am - 8:00pm (Monday-Saturday) and 11:00am - 7:00pm (Sunday)
Exterior of Abercrombie & Fitch
The box-hedge garden.
Exterior of Abercrombie & Fitch
Disney store
This is Europe's largest Disney store which features something for everyone including the latest Hannah Montana and High School Musical merchandises, exclusive toys from Pixar and Disney favourites. Opening hours: 10am to 11pm (daily). Great for those who did not go to Disneyland Paris.
Disney Store Champs Elysees
There are plenty of food options on Champs Élysées but they maybe expensive. We tried macaroons from Laudrée and Baguette sandwiches from McDonalds.
Ladurée with it's elegant tearoom, from the 19th century-style interior and service to the labyrinthine corridors that lead to the toilets. Check out my blog post on Ladurée! MUST TRY. €1.85/piece.
Ladurée
The McDonald's here serve Macarons at €1 and are said to be from the same factory as Ladurée in Switzerland. Why not give it a try? They have touchscreen kiosk where there is English if you have a phobia with the French. However, the counter staff spoke English which made my life so much easier. The Curry Sauce is WAY BETTER than the ones we have in Singapore. Oh, they serve baguette sandwiches, wedges and beer too. MUST TRY. A meal here costs around €10 per person.
McDonalds
At the end of the day, we went back to our apartment with our hands filled with bags!
Let me answer some of the frequently asked questions!
Why do people enjoy shopping in Paris?
Most European brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Longchamp are cheaper in Europe because you can get VAT refund when you leave the country when you spend €175 in one shop on the same day! You will have to leave 6 months from the date of purchase and generally get 10-12% tax refund. Many tourists from Asia would spend thousands buying popular brands in Paris, Florence, Venice and Rome. Chinese visitors to Paris are estimated to spend an average of €1,470 (S$2557.80) each on shopping, mainly buying designer brands, according to Global Blue, the Swiss-based duty free services company. Remember to do it before you leave the last stop of any EU nation before returning home!
When are the sale seasons?
In France, the government sets certain times of the year when shops can put their merchandise on sale. Paperwork would have to be done for sales to be held outside the pre-ordained acceptable time. The sale season are in January (Winter Sales) and July (Summer Sales) which last roughly six weeks.
Who should I look for more information?
The Official website of Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paris Info.
How do I know where are the sale items?
When you see the word "soldes", it means "SALE" in French.
Where should I shop?
- If you are in Paris for a short period of time, you should go to Galeries Lafayette or Le Bon Marché as most of the luxury brands are clustered in the same building.
- If you are here for a longer period of time and find that the selections in Paris is expensive, you could consider travelling to La Vallee Village which is located at Marne-la-Vallee. La Vallee Village, a high-end outlet park located 30 minutes from Paris. They are open on Sundays when most of the stores in Paris are closed. Most of the Luxury brands are present here but they are out of season. They are usually 35% cheaper and you still get that VAT refund at the airport.
